Solid WasteSolid Waste

Chapter 21 16th edChapter 21 16th ed

MSWMSW

1.5% of total waste stream 30% of MSW is recycled or composted,

55% landfilled, 15% burned in incinerator 3M company reduced solid waste by 70%,

saved 750 million

1.5% of total waste stream 30% of MSW is recycled or composted,

55% landfilled, 15% burned in incinerator 3M company reduced solid waste by 70%,

saved 750 million

Solid Waste ProblemsSolid Waste Problems

Plastic vs paper grocery bags Less energy, less landfill space vs renewable

resource, less danger if swallowed (cloth is best)

Disposable vs cloth diapers Manufacuring, landfill vs cleaning effects

Tires (250 million discarded each year) 2.5 to 4 billion used tires are in US

Plastic vs paper grocery bags Less energy, less landfill space vs renewable

resource, less danger if swallowed (cloth is best)

Disposable vs cloth diapers Manufacuring, landfill vs cleaning effects

Tires (250 million discarded each year) 2.5 to 4 billion used tires are in US

Ways to ReduceWays to Reduce

Reduce use Redsign manufacturing process Trash taxes (Denmark) Pay as you throw (trash bags)

Reduce use Redsign manufacturing process Trash taxes (Denmark) Pay as you throw (trash bags)

ReuseReuse

Denmark, Finland, and Prince Edward Island have banned beverage containers that can’t be reused

Denmark, Finland, and Prince Edward Island have banned beverage containers that can’t be reused

RecyclingRecycling

Composting Biodegradeable waste = 85% recycled in EU,

35 % in US

Turn periodically to raise temp, kill pathogens and weed seeds

Siting plants is difficult (NIMBY)

Primary (closed loop) vs secondary recycling

Composting Biodegradeable waste = 85% recycled in EU,

35 % in US

Turn periodically to raise temp, kill pathogens and weed seeds

Siting plants is difficult (NIMBY)

Primary (closed loop) vs secondary recycling

Recycling (cont)Recycling (cont)

Germany: take back packaging; Taiwan: TVs computers; Netherlands: no pckg in landfill

Sell service instead of goods (Xerox)

Germany: take back packaging; Taiwan: TVs computers; Netherlands: no pckg in landfill

Sell service instead of goods (Xerox)

Recycling paperRecycling paper

High quality is available 2000, US recycled 49% of wastepaper Chlorine used to bleach, hydrogen peroxide

and ozone are replacing chlorine Recycled from preconsumer vs post

consumer waste

High quality is available 2000, US recycled 49% of wastepaper Chlorine used to bleach, hydrogen peroxide

and ozone are replacing chlorine Recycled from preconsumer vs post

consumer waste

Materials -recovery facilitiesMaterials -recovery facilities

Large scale (480 in US) Separate, recycle or burn (electricity)

Ash to landfill Source seperation ( home or business) has

advantages

Aluminum is valuable

Large scale (480 in US) Separate, recycle or burn (electricity)

Ash to landfill Source seperation ( home or business) has

advantages

Aluminum is valuable

PlasticsPlastics

10 % of US plastic is recycled Difficult to recycle b/c many different,

incompatible resins are used (except PET in 2 liter bottles)

10 % of US plastic is recycled Difficult to recycle b/c many different,

incompatible resins are used (except PET in 2 liter bottles)

Detoxifying Hazardous Waste Detoxifying Hazardous Waste

Bioremediation uses specialized bacteria Phytoremediation uses plants Plasma torch

High temp: decomposes organic molecules to atoms or simple cmpds

Bioremediation uses specialized bacteria Phytoremediation uses plants Plasma torch

High temp: decomposes organic molecules to atoms or simple cmpds

IncineratorsIncinerators

Temperatures up to 3,600oF 16% of MSW is burned 170 incinerators in US

Temperatures up to 3,600oF 16% of MSW is burned 170 incinerators in US

Sanitary LandfillSanitary Landfill

55% of waste in US is landfilled Sand, clay layers around synthetic liner Leachate is pumped from bottom, sent to

water treatment plant Except for Phila, NYC no shortage of space Methane (anaerobic decomp) can be

collected

55% of waste in US is landfilled Sand, clay layers around synthetic liner Leachate is pumped from bottom, sent to

water treatment plant Except for Phila, NYC no shortage of space Methane (anaerobic decomp) can be

collected

Disposal of Hazardous WasteDisposal of Hazardous Waste

Deep-well injection: liquid pumped under pressure into porous rock

Surface impoundments: ponds, pits or lagoons. 70% have no liners

Secure hazardous waste landfill (monitored) Above ground building

Deep-well injection: liquid pumped under pressure into porous rock

Surface impoundments: ponds, pits or lagoons. 70% have no liners

Secure hazardous waste landfill (monitored) Above ground building

Exporting Hazardous WasteExporting Hazardous Waste

Basel Convention on Hazardous Waste 1995 amended version, bans export of

hazardous waste from developed to developing countries

Basel Convention on Hazardous Waste 1995 amended version, bans export of

hazardous waste from developed to developing countries

LeadLead

Neurotoxin: nervous system impairment, lowered IQ

Phase outs: lead-based paints, 1970; leaded gasoline, 1986

Still a problem: found in TV, computer monitors; lead paint in old houses

Neurotoxin: nervous system impairment, lowered IQ

Phase outs: lead-based paints, 1970; leaded gasoline, 1986

Still a problem: found in TV, computer monitors; lead paint in old houses

MercuryMercury

Neurotoxin: affects nervous system Vaporized Hg or particulate Hg salts Methyl mercury (food chain) Nature --> volcanoes Humans---> coal burning, waste burning

Carried by wind, deposited in lakes

US FDA warns:oysters, sea bass, tuna Electrical switches, batteries, fluorescent bulb

Neurotoxin: affects nervous system Vaporized Hg or particulate Hg salts Methyl mercury (food chain) Nature --> volcanoes Humans---> coal burning, waste burning

Carried by wind, deposited in lakes

US FDA warns:oysters, sea bass, tuna Electrical switches, batteries, fluorescent bulb

ChlorineChlorine

Persistent, bioaccumulates Sources: plastics (PVC), solvents, paper

bleaching, purify water PVC prod + burning generates dioxins Replacements: soap + water, citrus based

solvents; ozone, hydrogen peroxide

Persistent, bioaccumulates Sources: plastics (PVC), solvents, paper

bleaching, purify water PVC prod + burning generates dioxins Replacements: soap + water, citrus based

solvents; ozone, hydrogen peroxide

DioxinsDioxins

Family of 75 different chlorinated hydrocarbon cmpds

Low doses of dioxins can disrupt reproductive and immune systems

Family of 75 different chlorinated hydrocarbon cmpds

Low doses of dioxins can disrupt reproductive and immune systems

RCRARCRA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 1976, amended in 1984

Requires EPA to identify hazardous waste and set standards for management by states

Firms with more than 220 lbs need permit stating how waste is managed

Permit holders use “cradle to grave” system

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 1976, amended in 1984

Requires EPA to identify hazardous waste and set standards for management by states

Firms with more than 220 lbs need permit stating how waste is managed

Permit holders use “cradle to grave” system

Superfund ActSuperfund Act

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 1980

National Priorities List Polluter pays principle Joint and several liability 1300 sites cleaned up, average $20 million

per site

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 1980

National Priorities List Polluter pays principle Joint and several liability 1300 sites cleaned up, average $20 million

per site

BrownfieldsBrownfields

Abandoned industrial and commercial sites, usually contaminated (factories, gas stations, etc)

450,000-600,000 in US, 40k redeveloped Clean up efforts are hampered by fear of

liability Congress and many states have passed laws

limiting liability of lenders and developers

Abandoned industrial and commercial sites, usually contaminated (factories, gas stations, etc)

450,000-600,000 in US, 40k redeveloped Clean up efforts are hampered by fear of

liability Congress and many states have passed laws

limiting liability of lenders and developers