According to the European Parliament, waste means ‘any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard’ (Directive 2008/98/EC).
Este término se usa más en España, mientras que en América Latina está más extendido el uso de la palabra basura. However, they should not be used as synonyms. Waste refers to something that is disposed, but that can be used again and given value. In contrast, trash has a negative connotation and it refers to something that has no use. Also, while humans produce trash, nature does not. In other words, trash is anthropogenic.
The approach proposes that the challenge is to think that trash does not exist. The goal is to promote reducing the production of waste, reusing, and recycling.
Este término se usa más en España, mientras que en América Latina está más extendido el uso de la palabra basura. However, they should not be used as synonyms. Waste refers to something that is disposed, but that can be used again and given value. In contrast, trash has a negative connotation and it refers to something that has no use. Also, while humans produce trash, nature does not. In other words, trash is anthropogenic.
The approach proposes that the challenge is to think that trash does not exist. The goal is to promote reducing the production of waste, reusing, and recycling.
References:
Parlamento Europeo – Directiva 2008/98/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 19 de noviembre de 2008.
Ley General para la Prevención y Gestión Integral de los Residuos (LGPGIR) México.
Photo credit: Aleksandra Suzi