Solid Wastes ISolid Wastes I

Potential Exam QuestionsPotential Exam Questions

1. Discuss the composition of Discuss the composition of solid waste in the United solid waste in the United States. Distinguish States. Distinguish between municipal waste between municipal waste and other producers of and other producers of waste.waste.

2.2. Describe the features of a modern sanitary landfill Describe the features of a modern sanitary landfill and relate some of the problems associated with and relate some of the problems associated with sanitary landfills.sanitary landfills.

Potential Exam QuestionsPotential Exam Questions

3.3. Describe the features of a mass burn incinerator and Describe the features of a mass burn incinerator and relate some of the problems associated with relate some of the problems associated with incinerators.incinerators.

4.4. With regard to plastics and metals, discuss the benefits With regard to plastics and metals, discuss the benefits of recycling and the environmental costs of not of recycling and the environmental costs of not recycling. Explain why such a small percentage of recycling. Explain why such a small percentage of metal and plastic is recycled in the U.S.metal and plastic is recycled in the U.S.

5.5. Discuss RCRA and the Superfund program. In your Discuss RCRA and the Superfund program. In your discussion, include an explain of the main goals of each discussion, include an explain of the main goals of each program.program.

Waste StreamWaste Stream

The waste stream is the flow of wastes we produce. The waste stream is the flow of wastes we produce.

USA produces more than 11 billion tons of solid waste USA produces more than 11 billion tons of solid waste each year. USA volume has doubled since 1960.each year. USA volume has doubled since 1960.

Agricultural wastesAgricultural wastes - crop - crop and animal residueand animal residue

MiningMining - mine tailings, - mine tailings, overburden, slag overburden, slag

Industrial wasteIndustrial waste

Municipal wasteMunicipal waste

Agricultural Agricultural WastesWastes

Types:Types:

PesticidesPesticidesCarcassesCarcassesHorticultural wastesHorticultural wastesAnimal feces (e.g., reported that Animal feces (e.g., reported that North Carolina’s North Carolina’s hogs outnumber its citizens and produce more fecal hogs outnumber its citizens and produce more fecal waste than all the people in California, New York, waste than all the people in California, New York, and Washington combined. Each day the Arkansas and Washington combined. Each day the Arkansas poultry industry dumps urine/feces equal to the daily poultry industry dumps urine/feces equal to the daily waste generated by a population of 8 million people.)waste generated by a population of 8 million people.)

Management:Management:

Landfills/water sourcesLandfills/water sourcesCompostingCompostingEnergy ProductionEnergy Production

Industrial WastesIndustrial Wastes

EPA estimates American industries generate EPA estimates American industries generate 7.6 billion tons 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste each yearof industrial solid waste each year

Types:Types:

Manufacturing byproductsManufacturing byproductsOutdated equipmentOutdated equipmentSludge; decontamination productsSludge; decontamination products

Management:Management:

Landfills/water sourcesLandfills/water sourcesRecyclingRecyclingEnergy ProductionEnergy Production

Municipal WasteMunicipal Waste

Refuse mixing Refuse mixing -- hazardous wastes with non-hazardous. hazardous wastes with non-hazardous.

Batteries - zinc, lead or mercuryBatteries - zinc, lead or mercuryPaintPaintPesticidesPesticidesPlastics that produce dioxinsPlastics that produce dioxins

Loss of recyclable wastesLoss of recyclable wastes (dumped with non-recyclable (dumped with non-recyclable wastes).wastes).

The Waste Stream OptionsThe Waste Stream Options

Disposal MethodsDisposal MethodsBad Ideas:Bad Ideas:

1. Ocean Dumping1. Ocean Dumping

Disposal MethodsDisposal Methods

Bad Ideas:Bad Ideas: 2. Open Dumps – exposed refuse

Disposal MethodsDisposal MethodsBad Ideas:Bad Ideas:

3. Exporting Waste - Garbage Imperialism (e.g., 3. Exporting Waste - Garbage Imperialism (e.g., Khian Sea from Philadelphia with toxic ash)

Sailed 16 Sailed 16 years, then years, then returned to PAreturned to PA

Western History of Waste Western History of Waste ManagementManagement

Believed that the city of Athens organized the first Believed that the city of Athens organized the first municipal dump in the Western world. In approximately municipal dump in the Western world. In approximately 500 BC citizens were required to dispose of their waste at 500 BC citizens were required to dispose of their waste at least one mile from the city walls.least one mile from the city walls.

Ancient rubbish dumps excavated in archaeological digs Ancient rubbish dumps excavated in archaeological digs reveal only tiny amounts of ash, broken tools and pottery. reveal only tiny amounts of ash, broken tools and pottery. Everything that could be was repaired and reused, Everything that could be was repaired and reused, populations were smaller, and people lived in less populations were smaller, and people lived in less concentrated groups.concentrated groups.

Pre-Industrial Revolution Waste Pre-Industrial Revolution Waste Management in EnglandManagement in England

In early pre-industrial times, waste was mainly composed of In early pre-industrial times, waste was mainly composed of ash from fires, wood, bones, and vegetable and bodily ash from fires, wood, bones, and vegetable and bodily waste. It was disposed of into the ground, where it would waste. It was disposed of into the ground, where it would act as compost and help to improve the soil. act as compost and help to improve the soil.

In 1842, a report in England linked disease to filthy In 1842, a report in England linked disease to filthy environmental conditions and launched the age of environmental conditions and launched the age of sanitation.sanitation.

Post-Industrial Revolution Waste Post-Industrial Revolution Waste Management in EnglandManagement in England

In Nottingham in 1874, a new technology called "the In Nottingham in 1874, a new technology called "the destructor" provided the first systematic incineration of destructor" provided the first systematic incineration of municipal solid waste.municipal solid waste.

The Public Health Act in 1875 charged local authorities in The Public Health Act in 1875 charged local authorities in England with the duty to arrange the removal and disposal of England with the duty to arrange the removal and disposal of waste, starting the civic and local authority power over waste waste, starting the civic and local authority power over waste management.management.

Disposal MethodsDisposal Methods

Two Alternatives:Two Alternatives:

1. Sanitary landfills1. Sanitary landfills

Problems and Concerns with Sanitary Problems and Concerns with Sanitary LandfillsLandfills

1. Number of landfills declining1. Number of landfills declining2. Methane gas2. Methane gas3. Contamination of surface and ground 3. Contamination of surface and ground

water (must monitor)water (must monitor)4. Plastics - Extremely 4. Plastics - Extremely

long life in a landfilllong life in a landfill5. NIMBY5. NIMBY

Disposal MethodsDisposal Methods2. Incineration - Space reduction and energy recovery 2. Incineration - Space reduction and energy recovery

Mass burn -Mass burn - avoids sorting, but can cause air pollution avoids sorting, but can cause air pollution because hazardous wastes are not removed.because hazardous wastes are not removed.Refuse-derived fuelRefuse-derived fuel - Removal of unburnable or - Removal of unburnable or recyclable materials before combustion.recyclable materials before combustion.

Incineration - BenefitsIncineration - Benefits1.1. Incinerators drastically reduce the amount of municipal Incinerators drastically reduce the amount of municipal

solid waste - up to 90% by volume and 75% by weight.solid waste - up to 90% by volume and 75% by weight.

2.2. Incinerators can be constructed locally, thus cutting Incinerators can be constructed locally, thus cutting down on transportation costs.down on transportation costs.

3.3. Derived heat Derived heat may be used may be used for electricity for electricity generation.generation.

Problems and Concerns with IncinerationProblems and Concerns with Incineration

1.1. Many of the problems existing with sanitary landfillsMany of the problems existing with sanitary landfills2.2. Air pollution - carbon monoxide, particulates, heavy Air pollution - carbon monoxide, particulates, heavy

metals (mercury and lead), dioxins from plasticsmetals (mercury and lead), dioxins from plastics3.3. Slag and fly ash can be a hazardous waste - removing Slag and fly ash can be a hazardous waste - removing

batteries and chlorine-based plastics can help.batteries and chlorine-based plastics can help.4.4. NIMBY NIMBY 5.5. CostCost

Shrinking the Waste Stream – Source Shrinking the Waste Stream – Source ReductionReduction

Since 2 liter soft drink bottle was introduced in 1977, weight Since 2 liter soft drink bottle was introduced in 1977, weight has been reduced by 35%.has been reduced by 35%.

Since 1965, aluminum cansSince 1965, aluminum cans

have been reduced inhave been reduced in

weight by 35%.weight by 35%.

Shrinking the Waste Stream - Shrinking the Waste Stream - RecyclingRecycling

Benefits: Benefits: Fewer landfill/Incineration issuesFewer landfill/Incineration issuesFewer raw resources neededFewer raw resources neededLess pollutionLess pollutionEconomicsEconomics

Constraints:Constraints:Fluctuating market priceFluctuating market priceDiverse PlasticsDiverse PlasticsLack of Deposit Fees Lack of Deposit Fees Lack of Incentives: recycled plastics more costlyLack of Incentives: recycled plastics more costly

Tire RecyclingTire RecyclingAmericans dispose of approximately 278 million Americans dispose of approximately 278 million tires/year, more than one for every man, woman and tires/year, more than one for every man, woman and child. Are approximately 3 billion tires stockpiled.child. Are approximately 3 billion tires stockpiled.

Mosquitoes Mosquitoes and disease and disease may arise may arise from from stockpiles.stockpiles.

PollutionPollution

Tire Recycling – Possible UsesTire Recycling – Possible Uses

Rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) - Caltrans began Rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) - Caltrans began use of rubberized asphalt concrete in 1980. Between use of rubberized asphalt concrete in 1980. Between 1980 and 1998, Caltrans used a total of 2,458,930 tons 1980 and 1998, Caltrans used a total of 2,458,930 tons of RAC. Based upon the formula developed by the of RAC. Based upon the formula developed by the Rubber Pavements Association, this translates to the Rubber Pavements Association, this translates to the use of 4.5 million discarded tires. use of 4.5 million discarded tires.

Whole tires may be used in Whole tires may be used in artificial breakwaters and artificial breakwaters and reefs. reefs.

Tire Recycling Tire Recycling – Possible Uses– Possible Uses

Shredded tires may be used as lightweight fill in civil Shredded tires may be used as lightweight fill in civil engineering applications, and they can replace other engineering applications, and they can replace other conventional lightweight fill such as expanded foam. The conventional lightweight fill such as expanded foam. The benefits of using tire chips instead of conventional benefits of using tire chips instead of conventional construction materials include: reduced density, improved construction materials include: reduced density, improved drainage properties and better thermal insulation. drainage properties and better thermal insulation.

Chips, crumble, and Chips, crumble, and shreds of tires currently shreds of tires currently have limited markets have limited markets (e.g., playground (e.g., playground surfaces)surfaces)

Tire Recycling – Possible UsesTire Recycling – Possible Uses

As as energy source (long payback period, requires As as energy source (long payback period, requires ongoing stockpiles, burns hot, emission issues). ongoing stockpiles, burns hot, emission issues).

On average, the BTU value of scrap tires or TDF (tire-On average, the BTU value of scrap tires or TDF (tire-derived fuel) exceeds that of coal, while the sulfur content derived fuel) exceeds that of coal, while the sulfur content is in the same order of magnitude or even lower. is in the same order of magnitude or even lower.

Cement kilns are by far the largest users of TDF. Some Cement kilns are by far the largest users of TDF. Some cement companies have the capacity to incinerate whole cement companies have the capacity to incinerate whole tires, thus being able to omit the comparatively expensive tires, thus being able to omit the comparatively expensive size reduction process. size reduction process.

      Means of DisposalMeans of Disposal EU EU USA USA

Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) 508,500 508,500 22% 22% 950,000 950,000 40% 40%

Landfilling Landfilling 1,017,100 1,017,100 46% 46% 920,000 920,000 38% 38%

Civil Engineering Civil Engineering 228,900 228,900 10% 10% 225,000 225,000 9% 9%

Rubber Recycling Rubber Recycling 228,800 228,800 10% 10% 180,000 180,000 7% 7%

Export and Miscellaneous Export and Miscellaneous 279,700 279,700 12% 12% 135,000 135,000 6% 6%

Total: Total: 2,263,000 2,263,000    2,410,000 2,410,000   

Table 1:Table 1: Scrap Tire Disposal in EU Member States and the U.S. in 1999. All figures are in Scrap Tire Disposal in EU Member States and the U.S. in 1999. All figures are in metric tons, percentage figures are rounded. Sources: Recycling Research Institute, European metric tons, percentage figures are rounded. Sources: Recycling Research Institute, European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA).Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA).

Waste and Waste and RecyclingRecycling

Recycling BenefitsRecycling Benefits

Resource ConservationResource Conservation (e.g., One Sunday edition of (e.g., One Sunday edition of N.Y. TimesN.Y. Times consumes 62,000 trees.) consumes 62,000 trees.)

Pollution ReductionPollution Reduction

Energy Conservation Energy Conservation (e.g., Crushed glass reduces the (e.g., Crushed glass reduces the energy required to manufacture new glass by 50%.)energy required to manufacture new glass by 50%.)

Data AccuracyData AccuracyRaven and Berg Textbook

Alum. = 66%Paper = 40%Glass = 36%Plastics <20%

Disposal of Disposal of Municipal Solid Municipal Solid

WastesWastes

Paper or Plastic?Paper or Plastic?