a brief history of rubbish

Millions of years ago, before there were people on earth, there was no rubbish. Nature wastes nothing and recycles everything. When plants and animals die, they decompose into the soil, providing nutrients for other plants and animals to live.

When people came along they began to create rubbish. At first, this rubbish was made up of tools, bones and ashes. As the centuries passed, the number of people, technologies and industries increased. Eventually, this led to a large increase in industrial activity called the 'industrial revolution'. By the eighteenth century, factories were making more goods for more people, creating large amounts of rubbish.

Today, there are twice as many people in the world as there were 100 years ago. New technologies have made life easier and most of us want the latest gadgets, fashions and work-saving appliances. All these things create more and more rubbish.

Most rubbish is produced by the countries who are part of the developed world, even though they only make up about 5% of the world's population. The 'throwaway lifestyle' is not happening in every country. Most of the people in the world do not have access to luxury goods such as a TVs, CD players, washing machines or cars. Just imagine how much more rubbish would be produced if everyone in the world had the same standard of living.

It is impossible for people in rich, developed countries to carry on enjoying this lifestyle, and to go on buying new products and throwing away old ones. It is important that we increase the amount of rubbish we reuse and recycle, and think about how we can reduce the amount of rubbish produced in the first place.