WASTE

SOLID WASTE MILESTONES First recorded municipal dump was in Athens, Greece 500BCE 10 billion metric tons of solid waste/year in USA

SOLID WASTE Any discarded solid material From junk mail to coffee grounds to cars

Municipal Solid Waste = 2% Waste produced by households and businesses 38.1% paper 5.3% wood 5.5% glass 7.8% metals 6.6% Rubber, leather, textiles 10.5% Plastics 10.9 Food 12.1% Yard Waste

Manufacturing, Mining & Agriculture 56% of waste Scrap metal, plastics, paper, sludge and ash People indirectly create waste by purchasing products that been manufactured.

Pig-ology There was no garbage collection system in 18th century New York City People threw it into the streets and free ranging hogs at it.

Bioremediation Microorganisms are used to break down waste Crude Oil, sewage effluent, chlorinated solvents, pesticides and gasoline are gobbled up

Incinerated Waste Toxics in –Toxics out

Landfill A permanent waste-disposal facility where wastes are put in the ground and covered each day with a layer of soil, plastic or both

Leachate Liquid that has passed though compacted soil waste in a landfill. Forms when water seeps down through a landfill and contains dissolved chemicals from decomposing garbage.

Recycling

Challenges Less resources available to grow programs Insufficient recycling opportunities for all citizens Insufficient capacity to handle changing needs (electronics)

Materials Economy System Extraction Production Distribution Consumption Disposal

Biodegradable Anything that can be broken down organically

Compost A dark, crumbly material From decomposed plant & Animal matter

Hazardous Waste Any waste that is a risk to the health of humans or other living things.

Top Household Hazardous Waste Air Fresheners Ammonia, Bleach Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo Dishwasher detergents Furniture polish Toilet bowl cleaners, Laundry room products Oven cleaners

RCRA and Superfund Acts Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Established to regulate solid and hazardous waste disposal and to protect humans and the environment from waste contamination.