1. Chapter 16 Waste Generation and Waste Disposal

2. Refuse collected by municipalities from households, small businesses, and institutions such as schools, prisons, municipal buildings and hospitals. Municipal Solid Waste

3. Throw away society: Wealth leads to waste. Example of planned obsolescence: _______? Municipal Solid Waste

4. Long-term viability (feasibility) Durable goods will last for years Non-durable goods are disposable Compostable goods are mostly organic and will decompose Ways to think of MSW

5. Flow of solid waste Waste Stream

6.  31% - paper  33%- organic materials (yard waste, food scraps, wood)  12%- plastic  18%- durable goods (appliances, tires) Composition of Municipal Solid Waste

7.  Electronic waste (E-waste) televisions, computers, cell phones that contain toxic metals. E-Waste

8.  Reduce- waste minimization or prevention  Reuse- reusing something like a disposable cup more than once  Recycle- materials are collected and converted into raw materials and then used to produce new objects Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Which of the above is most important for reducing our waste issue?

9. Closed loop recycling: recycled into the same product. Example: carpet, aluminum cans Open loop recycling: recycled into a new product. Example: water bottles into polar fleece

11.  Compost- organic material that has decomposed under controlled conditions to produce an organic-rich material. Composting

12. Carbon to nitrogen should be 30:1 this will support the best microbial activity. HOW?? Layering dry material, leaves, with wet material, kitchen vegetables. Or brown and green layers!

13.  Initially started as open dumps, developed countries then went to “landfills”.  Growing concern for the what was “leaching” into our water and community known as:  Leachate- the water that leaches through the solid waste and removes various chemical compounds with which it comes into contact.  Sanitary landfills- engineered ground facilities designed to hold MSW with as little contamination of the surrounding environment as possible. Landfills

15.  Who pays for the development and running of the “landfill”?  Tipping fee – a fee charged for each truckload, MSW is weighed then its tipped into the landfill. Average $35 per ton What is a ton? Where would tipping fees be higher for the United States? Lower? Why? Landfills

16.  Where should you put a sanitary landfill? Clay rich soils Located away from rivers, streams, and other bodies of water Away from population centers  Siting – designation or location Keep in mind the farther away the more cost of transporting your MSW. NIMBY – “not in my back yard!” Political!  Closed landfills will go through reclamation, for future minimal development. Landfills

17.  Incineration- the process of burning waste materials to reduce its volume and mass and sometimes to generate electricity and heat. Incineration- Incineration

18.  Ash – residual nonorganic material that does not combust during incineration  Bottom ash vs. Fly ash  Waste-to-energy system – heat from incineration is used rather than released to the atmosphere  Disposal of ash is considered to toxic and must go to a special landfill for toxic materials.  Which is better: Sanitary Landfill or Incineration? Incineration

19.  Hazardous waste- liquid, solid, gaseous, or sludge waste material that is harmful to humans or ecosystems.  By products of – industrial processes and small businesses ( textile production, cleaning of machinery, dry cleaners, auto service stations, small farms) and households (oven cleaners, batteries, lawn fertilizers)  Collection sites for hazardous waste must be staffed with specially trained personnel.  Periodic collections are held in communities.  Hazardous waste must be treated before disposal = less environmentally harmful. Hazardous Waste

20.  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)- designed to reduce or eliminate hazardous waste. Also know as “cradle-to- grave” tracking.  RCRA ensures that hazardous waste is tracked and properly disposed of.  Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendment (HSWA) – encouraged waste minimization and phased out the disposal of hazardous wastes on land Laws

21.  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)- also know as “ Superfund ”.“ Superfund ”. 1. Puts a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries. This revenue is used to cleanup abandoned and nonoperating hazardous waste sites where a responsible party cannot be found. 2. Requires the federal government to respond directly to the release of substance that may pose a threat to human health or the environment.  Best known superfund site:  Love Canal, New York Laws

22. “ Superfund ” Sites

23.  Contaminated industrial or commercial sites that may require environmental cleanup before they can be redeveloped or expanded.  Old factories, industrial areas and waterfronts, dry cleaners, gas stations, landfills, and rail yards are some examples.  This is for the sites not deemed as superfund, but still a danger to the public health. Brownfields

24.  Read page 454  What are all the problems that can occur? International Consequences!

25.  A method that seeks to develop as many options as possible, to reduce environmental harm and cost.  Reduction, recycling, composting, landfills, and incineration are some ways IWM is utilized. Integrated Waste Management