Environmental Protection

Abstract

Serious awareness of the threat of pollution came to the Netherlands well after the midpoint of the 20th century. The affluence that creates the economy and problems of waste is fairly new for the Netherlands. In the past refuse disposal was accomplished by building dump heaps or relying upon the ever convenient canals. Then such carelessness seemed to be without problem. However, Holland’s wealth and technology are now reaching the “junk” producing levels that America has had for decades. The development of new paper, plastic and synthetic products, coupled with new packaging techniques threatens to inundate her with debris. Garbage production in the Netherlands runs about 4.6 tons, or about 350 pounds per person annually. While this may not seem inordinate when compared with the 815 pounds per capita level of America, it must be realized that the Netherlands is one of the world’s most intensively industrialized nations. The problem of waste disposal can only increase. A total of 14 million tons of garbage is predicted for the year 2000. This is a three-fold increase in thirty years, and even then does not include sewage, agricultural wastes, much industrial waste, nor abandoned automobiles. Environmental pollution is an achievement Holland now shares with her fellow industrialized societies.