POLLUTION MANAGEMENT

5.5 Solid domestic waste

Assessment Statements

5.5.1 Outline the types of solid domestic waste.

5.5.2 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic (municipal) waste.

5.5.1 Outline the types of solid domestic waste.

Garden waste – 20% Kitchen Waste – 17% General Household

Sweepings – 9% Glass – 7% Wood – 5% Wood and furniture – 5% Scrap metal/white

goods – 5% Soil – 3% Textiles – 3% Metal Packaging – 3% Disposable diapers – 2% Paper and Board – 1%

5.5.2 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic (municipal) waste.

Pollution Management Strategies:

Recycling – Sending it back to get reprocessed. Can be exported to other countries for processing, but then it may not be recycled at all.

Composting – Aerobic decomposition of biodegradable material. Recycles organic household waste into humus-like soil. Returns valuable nutrients to the soil.

5.5.2 Describe and evaluate pollution management strategies for solid domestic (municipal) waste.

Landfill – Cheap, but not always healthy and will eventually run out. Health risks for living nearby. Need to be located close to waste source, so found in high population areas. Can pollute local air and groundwater with waste. Often built in old quarries which could be used for lakes and nature reserves instead.

Incineration – converts waste into ash, gas particulates, and heat which can be used for energy. Can reduce the waste volume by 80-90%. Releases air pollutants, and volume of traffic generated increase.