Australia takes rubbish removal seriously for which the different colour-coded bins across the country are the standing proof.
Do you ever wonder, though, what happens to your green waste when it lingers in your house? You’re about to find out.
Spoiler Alert
Food spoils and becomes more unworthy to eat at different rates. It also depends on how you store it.
For example, bananas can remain fresh for two to six days when they are on the counter. If you place them in the fridge, you can get one day more.
You can also leave an avocado on the dining table until it is about to ripen. Then, you can seal it well or store it in an airtight container and then place it inside the fridge.
Still, anything that doesn’t look and taste right should be taken care of as soon as possible.
It is because many types of organic matter, especially fruits and vegetables, release ethylene. It is a type of gas that causes the others to ripen fast.
In other words, keeping spoiled food around will cause even newly bought ones to become overripe. It can be a problem if you cannot consume them all in a day or two.
Spoiled food can also make you sick. It can breed and multiply a variety of harmful microorganisms. When ingested, they can lead to foodborne-related illnesses and symptoms such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Disorientation
These diseases can be risky for certain groups that include children, seniors, and people with weak or compromised immune systems. They may not respond well to treatment, or their symptoms can be more severe.
Pets in Danger
Spoiled food is also harmful to pets, especially if it is salted meats or pickled dishes. These products can harbour a bacterium called Botulinum toxin.
It is a microbe that can result in progressive paralysis of the organs. In dogs, it can begin with a paralysed mouth and throat, which limits chewing and swallowing. Eventually, if left untreated, it can paralyse the heart and lungs.
Although many pets are already domesticated, they have not gotten rid of their ancestral traits. For instance, some dogs and most cats love to hunt.
They can rummage through the bins until they get their prize: spoiled food. Besides harmful bacteria, they can also suffer injuries and death from ingesting large chunks of spoiled meat and fruits.
When there’s Smoke
It’s not only spoiled food that can be dangerous. So do other types of green waste like twigs and leaves. By themselves, they do not cause harm.
The problem happens when you do not pay attention to you or somebody else’s actions. These kinds of green waste can become dry, making them ideal fire starters.
If someone smokes and accidentally drops the butt into the pile, it can destroy your home in hours. You are also putting your community in the same harm.
Why Do You Need Specialists?
States have guidelines when it comes to disposing of green waste. Usually, you place some of them inside a green bin and then let the local waste truck pick it up. You can also convert food scraps into fertilizers.
If you do not want the hassle of waiting and making compost, you can call a rubbish removal team. It also helps the environment since it limits the odds of your waste ending up in a landfill.
One thing is clear: it’s never a good idea to let green waste linger in your home even if it’s “organic matter.”