Chapter 17Chapter 17

Solid and Hazardous Solid and Hazardous WasteWaste

Question #1Question #1

What is solid waste, What is solid waste, and how much do we and how much do we

produce?produce? (p.389-390)(p.389-390)

Solid WasteSolid Waste Any unwanted or discarded solid materialAny unwanted or discarded solid material

• There is no solid waste in natureThere is no solid waste in nature

• Garbage = solid waste we produce directlyGarbage = solid waste we produce directly

What did you throw away yesterday?What did you throw away yesterday?

Fig. 17-2, p. 390

Municipal1.5%

Sewage sludge1%

Mining and oiland gas

production75%

Industry9.5%

Agriculture13%

Solid Waste in the US Solid Waste in the US

Question #2Question #2

How do waste How do waste management & waste management & waste reduction differ, and reduction differ, and what are 6 ways to what are 6 ways to

reduce solid waste? reduce solid waste? (p.390-392)(p.390-392)

Waste Management & ReductionWaste Management & Reduction

Waste ManagementWaste Management• Bury it or Burn itBury it or Burn it• High-waste approachHigh-waste approach

Waste ReductionWaste Reduction• There is no “away”There is no “away”• Low-waste approachLow-waste approach• Preferred solution (prevention)Preferred solution (prevention)

Six Ways to Reduce WasteSix Ways to Reduce Waste1.1. Consume lessConsume less

2.2. Redesign manufacturing processes and Redesign manufacturing processes and products to use less material and energyproducts to use less material and energy

3.3. Use less toxic material in manufacturingUse less toxic material in manufacturing

4.4. Make easily repairable & recyclable Make easily repairable & recyclable productsproducts

5.5. Design products to last longerDesign products to last longer

6.6. Eliminate or reduce packagingEliminate or reduce packaging

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson Fig. 17-4, p. 391

What Can You Do?

Solid Waste

• Follow the four R's of resource use: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

• Ask yourself whether you really need a particular item.• Rent, borrow, or barter goods and services when you

can.• Buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or

compostable, and be sure to reuse, recycle, and compost them.

• Do not use throwaway paper and plastic plates, cups, and eating utensils, and other disposable items when reusable or refillable versions are available.

• Use e-mail in place of conventional paper mail.• Read newspapers and magazines online.• Buy products in concentrated form whenever

possible.

What Can You Do? What Can You Do?

Question #3Question #3

What is the ecoindustrial What is the ecoindustrial revolution, and how can revolution, and how can

we shift from selling we shift from selling things to selling things to selling servicesservices ? ? (p.392-393)(p.392-393)

Ecoindustrial RevolutionEcoindustrial Revolution A change in industrial manufacturing to be A change in industrial manufacturing to be

cleaner and more sustainable (mimics how cleaner and more sustainable (mimics how nature handles waste)nature handles waste)

• Recycle materialsRecycle materials

• Resource exchange webResource exchange web – waste of one – waste of one manufacturer becomes raw materials for anothermanufacturer becomes raw materials for another

• Savings in lowered pollution, waste disposal and Savings in lowered pollution, waste disposal and material can be enormousmaterial can be enormous

• Healthier work environmentHealthier work environment

Selling Services Instead of ThingsSelling Services Instead of Things

Eco-leasingEco-leasing – instead of buying a – instead of buying a product, a customer would lease/rent product, a customer would lease/rent the services from the companythe services from the company

ExampleExample – RHS has a service – RHS has a service contract for our copiers. They are contract for our copiers. They are maintained regularly. They will be maintained regularly. They will be picked up by the company at the picked up by the company at the end of the contract and reusable end of the contract and reusable parts will be removed.parts will be removed.

Question #4Question #4

What can be reused / What can be reused / recycled, and what are recycled, and what are

the advantages and the advantages and disadvantages of reusing disadvantages of reusing and recycling materialsand recycling materials? ?

(p.394-398)(p.394-398)

ReuseReuse

Cleaning & using materials over & overCleaning & using materials over & over

Examples of Reusable Items:Examples of Reusable Items:• eating utensilseating utensils• car partscar parts• house and building materialshouse and building materials• cloth towels & diaperscloth towels & diapers• rechargeable batteriesrechargeable batteries• TVs, computers, cell phonesTVs, computers, cell phones• glass and plastic bottlesglass and plastic bottles• grocery bagsgrocery bags• clothingclothing

Pros & Cons: ReusePros & Cons: Reuse

AdvantagesAdvantages

Saves MoneySaves Money

Cuts pollution & wasteCuts pollution & waste

Reduces use of matter Reduces use of matter & energy resources& energy resources

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Exposure to toxins in Exposure to toxins in e-waste (developing e-waste (developing countries)countries)

People scavenging for People scavenging for reuseable materials in reuseable materials in dumps exposed to dumps exposed to toxins & diseasetoxins & disease

RecyclingRecycling

Reprocessing discarded solid materials Reprocessing discarded solid materials into new, useful productsinto new, useful products

Examples of Recyclable Items:Examples of Recyclable Items:• paper productspaper products• glassglass• aluminumaluminum• steelsteel• plasticplastic• plants (composting)plants (composting)

2 Recycling Methods2 Recycling Methods

Closed-Loop RecyclingClosed-Loop Recycling• Original Original Same Same

DowncyclingDowncycling• Original Original Different Different

Pros & Cons: RecyclingPros & Cons: Recycling

AdvantagesAdvantages

Less pollutionLess pollution

Saves energySaves energy

Saves raw materialsSaves raw materials

Less landfill spaceLess landfill space

Saves money on Saves money on productsproducts

Creates jobsCreates jobs

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Some materials are Some materials are costly to recyclecostly to recycle

Some areas have ample Some areas have ample landfill spacelandfill space

Landfills lose moneyLandfills lose money

Inconvenient for someInconvenient for some

Question #5Question #5

What are the advantages What are the advantages and disadvantages of and disadvantages of

burning & burying solid burning & burying solid wastewaste? ? (p.398-400)(p.398-400)

In the U.S.In the U.S.• Bury (landfill) – 54%Bury (landfill) – 54%

• Burn (incinerate) – 16%Burn (incinerate) – 16%

• Recycle- 30%Recycle- 30%

• Burning solid waste is primarily for energy production Burning solid waste is primarily for energy production (heat and electricity) and waste reduction(heat and electricity) and waste reduction

Pros & Cons: BurningPros & Cons: Burning

AdvantagesAdvantages

Reduce wasteReduce waste

FastFast

Produces energy Produces energy (electricity)(electricity)

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Expensive to buildExpensive to build

Air pollutionAir pollution

Toxic ash remainsToxic ash remains

Highly opposed in Highly opposed in USUS

BuryingBurying

Most MSW is buried in landfills that will Most MSW is buried in landfills that will eventually leak toxic liquids into soil & eventually leak toxic liquids into soil & groundwatergroundwater

Open DumpsOpen Dumps• Common in developing nationsCommon in developing nations

Sanitary LandfillsSanitary Landfills• Used in developed countriesUsed in developed countries• Wastes spread in thin layers & covered w/ clay or Wastes spread in thin layers & covered w/ clay or

plastic foam, lined to prevent leaksplastic foam, lined to prevent leaks

Topsoil

Sand

Clay

Garbage

Garbage

Sand

Syntheticliner

Sand

Clay

Subsoil

When landfill is full,layers of soil and clayseal in trash

Methane storageand compressorbuilding

Electricitygeneratorbuilding

Leachatetreatment system

Methane gasrecovery

Pipe collect explosivemethane gas used as fuel to generate electricity

Compactedsolid waste

Leachatestorage tank

Leachatemonitoringwell

Groundwatermonitoringwell

Leachate pipes Leachate pumped upto storage tanks forsafe disposal

Clay and plastic liningto prevent leaks; pipescollect leachate frombottom of landfill

Probes to detect methane leaks

Groundwater

Sanitary Landfill Sanitary Landfill

Fig. 17-11, p. 400

Pros & Cons: BuryingPros & Cons: Burying

AdvantagesAdvantages

Low odorLow odor Low groundwater Low groundwater

pollutionpollution Low cost to build & Low cost to build &

operateoperate Holds large amountHolds large amount Ample sites in some Ample sites in some

areasareas Can be reused when fullCan be reused when full

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Noisy & dustyNoisy & dusty Air pollution (CH4, CO2)Air pollution (CH4, CO2) Eventually leaksEventually leaks Slow decompositionSlow decomposition Cheap cost Cheap cost

discourages reuse & discourages reuse & recyclerecycle

Question #6Question #6

What is hazardous waste What is hazardous waste & how can we deal with & how can we deal with

itit? ? (p.401-406)(p.401-406)

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste Any waste that is toxic, ignitable, Any waste that is toxic, ignitable,

corrosive or reactive enough to corrosive or reactive enough to explode or release toxic fumes explode or release toxic fumes

Developed countries produce 80-90%Developed countries produce 80-90%

© 2006 Brooks/Cole - Thomson Fig. 17-13, p. 402

What Harmful Chemicals Are In Your Home?

Cleaning • Disinfectants• Drain, toilet, and window cleaners • Spot removers• Septic tank cleaners

Paint

• Latex and oil-based paints• Paint thinners, solvents, and strippers • Stains, varnishes, and lacquers• Wood preservatives• Artist paints and inks

General

• Dry-cell batteries (mercury and cadmium)• Glues and cements

Gardening

• Pesticides• Weed killers• Ant and rodent killers• Flea powders

Automotive

• Gasoline• Used motor oil • Antifreeze• Battery acid• Solvents• Brake and transmission fluid• Rust inhibitor and rust remover

Harmful Chemicals in Your Home Harmful Chemicals in Your Home

Disposal of some of these items is exempt from government regulation

Managing Hazardous WasteManaging Hazardous Waste Resource Conservation & Recovery Act Resource Conservation & Recovery Act

(RCRA)(RCRA)• Regulates ~5% of hazardous wasteRegulates ~5% of hazardous waste

EPAEPA• Sets standards & issues permitsSets standards & issues permits

Superfund (CERCLA)Superfund (CERCLA)• Identifies & cleans hazardous waste sites on a Identifies & cleans hazardous waste sites on a

priority basispriority basis• Love Canal, NY was 1Love Canal, NY was 1stst Superfund Site Superfund Site• Originally polluters paid, now taxpayers pay Originally polluters paid, now taxpayers pay

(avg $20 million per site – 1250 sites on list!)(avg $20 million per site – 1250 sites on list!)

Detoxifying Hazardous WasteDetoxifying Hazardous Waste BioremediationBioremediation

• Uses bacteria & enzymes to Uses bacteria & enzymes to breakdown hazardous compoundsbreakdown hazardous compounds

PhytoremediationPhytoremediation• Uses plants to absorb toxins from Uses plants to absorb toxins from

soil & watersoil & water

Deep Underground WellsDeep Underground Wells• Pumped deep below groundPumped deep below ground

Surface ImpoundmentsSurface Impoundments• Stored in containment pondsStored in containment ponds

Question #7Question #7

Why are lead and mercury Why are lead and mercury dangerous, and what can dangerous, and what can

we do to reduce we do to reduce exposureexposure ? ? (p.406-409)(p.406-409)

Lead and MercuryLead and Mercury

Since they are both elements, they Since they are both elements, they cannot be broken downcannot be broken down

Both cause various types of nervous Both cause various types of nervous system damage (brain damage)system damage (brain damage)

Lead Exposure SolutionsLead Exposure Solutions Eliminate leaded gasoline & Eliminate leaded gasoline &

paint worldwide (banned in paint worldwide (banned in late ’70’s in U.S.)late ’70’s in U.S.)

Eliminate lead solder in Eliminate lead solder in plumbing & food cansplumbing & food cans

Remove lead paint from old Remove lead paint from old buildingsbuildings

Replace plumbing pipes Replace plumbing pipes containing leadcontaining lead

Mercury ExposureMercury Exposure

Mercury comes from natural (volcanos) & Mercury comes from natural (volcanos) & human sources (burning coal / waste)human sources (burning coal / waste)• We can breath, absorb & consume itWe can breath, absorb & consume it

SolutionsSolutions::• Eliminate Hg in coal, batteries, fluorescent Eliminate Hg in coal, batteries, fluorescent

bulbsbulbs• Avoid eating certain seafood (shark, mackerel, Avoid eating certain seafood (shark, mackerel,

tuna) esp children & womentuna) esp children & women• Reduce Hg emissions from coal burning Reduce Hg emissions from coal burning

plantsplants

Question #8Question #8

How can we make the How can we make the transition to a more transition to a more

sustainable, low-waste sustainable, low-waste societysociety ? ? (p.409-410)(p.409-410)

Achieving a Low Waste SocietyAchieving a Low Waste Society

Produce less wastes of all kindsProduce less wastes of all kinds

Reduce our ecological footprintReduce our ecological footprint

International treaties to ban or phase International treaties to ban or phase out use of certain highly toxic, fat out use of certain highly toxic, fat soluble (stores up in organisms) soluble (stores up in organisms) chemicals such as DDT, PCB, dioxinschemicals such as DDT, PCB, dioxins

Achieving a Low Waste SocietyAchieving a Low Waste Society

Everything is connectedEverything is connected

There is no “away” for the wastes we produceThere is no “away” for the wastes we produce

Dillution is not the solution for pollutionDillution is not the solution for pollution

The BEST & CHEAPEST way to deal w/ waste & The BEST & CHEAPEST way to deal w/ waste & pollution is to produce less and recycle morepollution is to produce less and recycle more