Municipal waste is disposed of in three different ways. In 2004 it was estimated that 71% was landfilled, 16% incinerated and 13% recycled. Other waste that must be disposed of are nuclear and hazardous waste. The environmental effects of different waste management solutions will be discussed as well as the ideal ways, in my opinion, to dispose of different forms of solid waste. Landfills are the most commonly used form of waste disposal today. It is also a form of disposal that causes numerous environmental impacts that need to be addressed. One of the main effects of landfills is leachate, a contaminated liquid that seeps through waste in a landfill and probably the most faced problem. This contaminated liquid can seep into the soil and cause water contamination according to the NC State University Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Another effect of landfills is air pollution. Air pollution from landfills can not only contribute to acid rain and greenhouse gases, but can also impact the citizens around them. Migration of gases from the soil may cause a four-fold increase in the risk of bladder cancer and leukemia among women, according to a study published on the New York City Department of Health website. The second form of waste disposal is incineration. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this type of disposal releases many air pollutants including admium, lead, mercury, dioxin, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Gases such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide contribute to acid rain and smog. Incinerators mainly contribute to air pollution, but the ash left over from burning waste must be buried in landfills, thus also contributing to soil pollution. The latest waste management system is recycling. Recycling consists of processing used or abandoned materials to use them in the creation of new products. This method was created to address the problems created by the other two forms of waste management and has a positive impact on the environment. It helps reduce the amount of waste needed for disposal by making some of it available for reuse. The disposal of hazardous and nuclear waste is a very serious problem. It can cause soil contamination… half the paper… I'll listen to you. By implementing these programs I believe the waste that ends up in our landfills will be significantly eliminated. This will allow waste management agencies to focus more energy and time on studying other ways to control the negative effects of waste ending up in landfills. A recycling-conscious society can preserve the earth for many generations to come. Works Cited Getis, Arthur et al. Introduction to geography. New York: McGraw Hill, 2004. New York State Department of Health. The Department of Health releases a study on landfills. August 21, 1998. June 26, 2005. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of regulations related to solid waste incineration. June 10, 2002. June 26, 2005. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste. June 3, 2005. June 25, 2005.Zaslow, Sandra. “Health Effects of Drinking Water Contaminants.” North Carolina Cooperative Extension. June 1995. North Carolina State University. June 26th 2005.