Waste management in selected national parks - A review

Abstract

Natural areas have a high value associated with the existence of a variety of priceless natural resources. It is important to employ sustainable development in these areas by protecting the natural resources. Reasonable waste management is a global need that can significantly contribute to the protection of the environment and to sustainable development simply by accepting pro-environmental behaviour patterns. Waste management in national parks on four continents was restricted by law in some countries, which is also a priority for nature conservation. In North America, individual regions are subject to the regulations on waste management, which correspond to the local needs within national parks. Low environmental awareness of both residents and tourists is conducive to the degradation of the natural environment; this is particularly true in Asia. One of the most significant threats in these protected areas is inappropriate waste management, which is related with the practice of landfilling or combustion of waste. In order to decrease the amount of waste generated, the following solutions should be implemented: the development of education to increase the environmental awareness, and planning solutions in accordance with sustainable development.