Improvements in our lifestyle have resulted in greater amounts of waste material generation. Changes in attitude also have a role to play, with more and more things we use becoming disposable.
Changes in packaging have resulted in much of our waste becoming non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable wastes are materials that will not be decomposed by natural processes. Non-biodegradable waste products have long-lasting effects on land fills, where toxic pollutants often contaminate ground water. Non-biodegradable plastics can also lead to out-gassing.