Solid and Hazardous Solid and Hazardous WasteWaste

http://www.makevisual.com/nowlook/

Do I have your attention?Do I have your attention?

What is solid waste and how much What is solid waste and how much is produced?is produced?

Solid waste is any unwanted or discarded Solid waste is any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or a gas. material that is not a liquid or a gas.

The United States generates 33% of world’s solid The United States generates 33% of world’s solid waste. waste.

12 billion tons of solid waste per year, as of 2000, 12 billion tons of solid waste per year, as of 2000, (or about 97,000 pounds per person per year). (or about 97,000 pounds per person per year).

Most comes from mining, oil and natural gas Most comes from mining, oil and natural gas production, agriculture, and industry. production, agriculture, and industry.

Municipal Solid WasteMunicipal Solid Waste

MSWMSW is garbage or refuse that is is garbage or refuse that is generated by households, commercial generated by households, commercial establishments, industrial offices, etc. that establishments, industrial offices, etc. that is not considered hazardous waste.is not considered hazardous waste.

It does not include source-separated It does not include source-separated recyclables.recyclables.

Municipal Solid WasteMunicipal Solid Waste

Solid waste generation has increased, from 3.66 to 4.34 pounds per person per day between 1980 and 2009. This is about 1600 pounds per year!

According to the EPA, about 132 million tons of MSW were discarded in landfills in 2009.

http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw2009-fs.pdf

Solid WasteSolid Waste

in 2008 US generated about 250 in 2008 US generated about 250 million tons of trash (MSW) million tons of trash (MSW)

in 2009, Americans produced about in 2009, Americans produced about 243 million tons of MSW. This 243 million tons of MSW. This averages out to about 4.3 pounds of averages out to about 4.3 pounds of waste per person per day. waste per person per day.

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/index.htm

MSW in the United StatesMSW in the United States

http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/index.htm

What is hazardous waste?What is hazardous waste? any discarded solid or liquid material that any discarded solid or liquid material that

contains one or more of 39 toxic, contains one or more of 39 toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic compounds above established limitscompounds above established limits

catches fire easilycatches fire easily

is reactive or unstableis reactive or unstable

or is capable of corroding metal or is capable of corroding metal containers. containers.

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste nonspecific sources involved in industrial processes nonspecific sources involved in industrial processes

such as spent halogenated solventssuch as spent halogenated solvents

specific industrial sources, such as untreated specific industrial sources, such as untreated wastewater from the production of the herbicide 2,4-wastewater from the production of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,-d)dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,-d)

commercial chemical products that may be discarded commercial chemical products that may be discarded (such as benzene) used in the manufacture of drugs, (such as benzene) used in the manufacture of drugs, detergents, lubricants, dyes and pesticidesdetergents, lubricants, dyes and pesticides

wastes that are classified as toxic, such as vinyl wastes that are classified as toxic, such as vinyl chloride.chloride.

Read more: Read more: Hazardous Waste - water, environmental, pollutants, United States, types, impact, EPA, soil, chemicals, industrial, liquid, wells, toxic, world, human, power, sources, disposal http://www.pollutionissues.com/Fo-Hi/Hazardous-Waste.html#ixzz1LOF7DCBT

Hazardous Waste ExamplesHazardous Waste Examples

• solvents such as solvents such as methylene chloride, a , a probable carcinogen that is commonly used in probable carcinogen that is commonly used in paint removers.paint removers.

• Trichloroethylene, a solvent that has been solvent that has been found in groundwater. Ingesting high amounts found in groundwater. Ingesting high amounts of TCE can cause liver, lung and nervous of TCE can cause liver, lung and nervous system damage. system damage.

• Sludge created by industries after treating Sludge created by industries after treating wastewater. Common contaminants of sludge wastewater. Common contaminants of sludge include include cadmium, copper, lead, and nickel. . These elements can negatively impact both the These elements can negatively impact both the health of humans and of wildlife. For example, health of humans and of wildlife. For example, lead is known to disrupt the nervous systemlead is known to disrupt the nervous system. .

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2010/03/epa_missouri_company_fresh_and_clean_restrooms_no_so_much.php

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste Does NOT include radioactive waste or Does NOT include radioactive waste or

hazardous materials generated by households, hazardous materials generated by households, or mining/oil drilling waste.or mining/oil drilling waste.

However, household products DO contain However, household products DO contain hazardous components! For example, used hazardous components! For example, used motor oil, wood preservatives, pesticides, motor oil, wood preservatives, pesticides, fluorescent lights that contain mercury, paint fluorescent lights that contain mercury, paint thinners, and batteries. thinners, and batteries.

These should be disposed of separately from These should be disposed of separately from non-hazardous household waste.non-hazardous household waste.

http://www.oodora.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/lead-in-lipstick1.jpghttp://www.oodora.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/lead-in-lipstick1.jpg

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

EPA estimates at 12 trillion pounds EPA estimates at 12 trillion pounds (5.5 billion metric tons) produced (5.5 billion metric tons) produced each year in U.S. Average of 20 each year in U.S. Average of 20 metric tons (44,000 pounds) per metric tons (44,000 pounds) per person. person.

This is 75% of world’s hazardous This is 75% of world’s hazardous waste. waste.

Ch21 Solid and Hazardous Waste

What are our options?What are our options?

Waste managementWaste management

Pollution (waste) preventionPollution (waste) prevention

http://www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com/audio/WeGotPlans-Rap60.mp3

High Waste ApproachHigh Waste Approach

Called “waste management”

Based on idea that waste is unavoidable.

Manage resulting waste (since can’t eliminate it) by burying it, burning it, or shipping it off somewhere else.

Take the landfill quiz!

http://www.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/landfill-quiz11.htm

LandfillsLandfills

The trash production in the United States The trash production in the United States has almost tripled since 1960. This trash is has almost tripled since 1960. This trash is handled in various ways. handled in various ways.

The amount of trash buried in landfills has The amount of trash buried in landfills has doubled since 1960. doubled since 1960.

LandfillsLandfills

How is a landfill made?How is a landfill made?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/landfill.htm

                                                                                                    

                                                 

This cross-section drawing shows the structure of a municipal solid waste landfill. The arrows indicate the flow of leachate.The basic parts of a landfill, as shown in Figure 3, are: •Bottom liner system - separates trash and subsequent leachate from groundwater •Cells (old and new) - where the trash is stored within the landfill •Storm water drainage system - collects rain water that falls on the landfill •Leachate collection system - collects water that has percolated through the landfill itself and contains contaminating substances (leachate) •Methane collection system - collects methane gas that is formed during the breakdown of trash •Covering or cap - seals off the top of the landfill

Parts of a Landfill

Sanitary LandfillSanitary Landfill

Topsoil

Sand

Clay

Garbage

Garbage

Sand

Synthetic liner

Sand

Clay

Subsoil

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

Methane storageand compressor

building

Electricitygeneratorbuilding

Leachatetreatment system

Methane gasrecovery

Pipe collect explosivemethane gas used as fuel

to generate electricity

Compactedsolid waste

Leachatestorage tanks

Leachatemonitoringwell

Leachatemonitoringwell

GroundwaterGroundwater

Groundwatermonitoringwell

Groundwatermonitoringwell

Leachate pipesLeachate pipesLeachate pumped upto storage tanks for

safe disposal

Leachate pumped upto storage tanks for

safe disposal

Clay and plastic liningto prevent leaks; pipescollect leachate from

bottom of landfill

Describe the major components of Describe the major components of a sanitary landfill.a sanitary landfill.

clay and plastic lining to prevent leaks

pipes to collect leachate from bottom of landfill (leachate is contaminated rainwater that percolates through solid waste)

vent pipes to collect landfill gas (mainly methane and carbon dioxide) released by anaerobic decomposition of waste

Is land disposal of solid waste the Is land disposal of solid waste the answer? answer?

Advantages: Advantages:

• no open burningno open burning• little odorlittle odor• low groundwater pollutionlow groundwater pollution• built quicklybuilt quickly• low operating costslow operating costs• can handle large amounts of watercan handle large amounts of water• filled land can be used for other purposesfilled land can be used for other purposes• no shortage of landfill space in many areasno shortage of landfill space in many areas

Is land disposal of solid waste the Is land disposal of solid waste the answer?answer?

Disadvantages: Disadvantages:

• noise and trafficnoise and traffic• dustdust• air pollution from toxic gases and volatile air pollution from toxic gases and volatile

organic compounds which release greenhouse organic compounds which release greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide)gases (methane and carbon dioxide)

• groundwater contaminationgroundwater contamination• slow decomposition of wastesslow decomposition of wastes• encourages waste productionencourages waste production• eventually leaks and can contaminate eventually leaks and can contaminate

groundwater groundwater

Hazardous Waste LandfillHazardous Waste Landfill

Bulk waste

Imperviousclay

Earth

Water table

Groundwater

Clay cap

Gas vent

TopsoillEarth

Sand

Plastic cover

Impervious clay cap

Leakdetectionsystem

Reactionwastesin dreams

Double leachatecollection system

Plastic double liner

Groundwatermonitoringwell

Is land disposal of hazardous waste Is land disposal of hazardous waste the answer?the answer?

Three choices: Three choices: • deep-well disposaldeep-well disposal• surface impoundmentssurface impoundments• secure hazardous-waste landfillssecure hazardous-waste landfills

all have risks of leaks and all have risks of leaks and groundwater contaminationgroundwater contamination

all encourage waste productionall encourage waste production

Is burning solid and hazardous Is burning solid and hazardous waste the answer?waste the answer?

Advantages: Advantages:

• reduced trash volumereduced trash volume• less need for landfillsless need for landfills• low water pollutionlow water pollution

Disadvantages: Disadvantages:

• high costhigh cost• air pollution (dioxins)air pollution (dioxins)• toxic ash producedtoxic ash produced• encourages waste productionencourages waste production

How can hazardous waste be How can hazardous waste be detoxified? detoxified? bioremediationbioremediation

microorganisms and enzymes are microorganisms and enzymes are used to destroy toxic or hazardous used to destroy toxic or hazardous substances or convert them into substances or convert them into harmless compoundsharmless compounds

† good for pesticides, gasoline, diesel good for pesticides, gasoline, diesel fuel, PCBs and organic solventsfuel, PCBs and organic solvents

― doesn’t work well for toxic metals, doesn’t work well for toxic metals, highly concentrated chemical waste, highly concentrated chemical waste, complex mixtures of toxic chemicalscomplex mixtures of toxic chemicals

How can hazardous waste be How can hazardous waste be detoxified? detoxified? phytoremediationphytoremediation

uses natural or genetically engineered plants to uses natural or genetically engineered plants to filter and remove contaminantsfilter and remove contaminants

† works for some pesticides, organic solvents, works for some pesticides, organic solvents, radioactive metals, toxic metals like lead and radioactive metals, toxic metals like lead and mercurymercury

† poplar treespoplar trees† sunflower plants (lead)sunflower plants (lead)† mulberry bush (industrial sludge)mulberry bush (industrial sludge)† mustard plants (lead)mustard plants (lead)

― only effective to depth that plant roots reach; is only effective to depth that plant roots reach; is slow process; animals could feed on polluted slow process; animals could feed on polluted leaves; still have to dispose of polluted plantsleaves; still have to dispose of polluted plants

Low Waste ApproachLow Waste Approach

Pollution and waste preventionPollution and waste prevention

Belief that Belief that there is no “away”there is no “away”

Solid and hazardous waste are potential Solid and hazardous waste are potential resources (should be recycled, reused, resources (should be recycled, reused, composted) or should not even be used in composted) or should not even be used in the first place.the first place.

Low Waste ApproachLow Waste Approach

Goals: Goals:

• ReduceReduce• ReuseReuse• Recycle and compostRecycle and compost• Chemically or biologically treat or Chemically or biologically treat or

incinerate any leftover waste if possibleincinerate any leftover waste if possible• Bury the restBury the rest

http://www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com/audio/WeGotPlans-Country60.mp3

How can we reduce waste and How can we reduce waste and pollution? pollution?

decrease consumptiondecrease consumption

do more with less by redesigning manufacturing do more with less by redesigning manufacturing processes and products to use less energy and processes and products to use less energy and material material

develop products that are easy to repair, reuse, develop products that are easy to repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost or recycleremanufacture, compost or recycle

design products to last longerdesign products to last longer

eliminate or reduce unnecessary packagingeliminate or reduce unnecessary packaging

use trash taxes to reduce waste use trash taxes to reduce waste

What is resource productivity? What is resource productivity?

an environmentally friendly approach to an environmentally friendly approach to production based on production based on increasing the increasing the productivity of resourcesproductivity of resources to reduce waste to reduce waste

• get more product from given amount of get more product from given amount of resourceresource

• do more with lessdo more with less• goal to get 75-90% more work/service from goal to get 75-90% more work/service from

each unit of material resources usedeach unit of material resources used

Advantages of Resource Advantages of Resource ProductivityProductivity

Decrease depletion of earth’s natural Decrease depletion of earth’s natural resourcesresources

Give companies competitive advantage Give companies competitive advantage globallyglobally

Reduce unemployment and poverty by Reduce unemployment and poverty by making it more profitable to employ making it more profitable to employ people (especially in developing countries)people (especially in developing countries)

Reduce inefficiency in use of matter and Reduce inefficiency in use of matter and energy resourcesenergy resources

What is the Ecoindustrial What is the Ecoindustrial Revolution?Revolution?

A movement to achieve industrial, economic, and environmental sustainability

Encourages cleaner production where industrial products and processes are redesigned to be produced in a closed system, so that the waste of one manufacturer becomes the raw material for another.

Packaging and used products are taken back for reuse, repair, recycling, and remanufacturing.

Nothing goes to waste!

Cleaner Production or Industrial Cleaner Production or Industrial EcologyEcology

Benefits:• cost savings• reduction of resource use• energy savings• reduction in solid waste and pollution

copies natural chemical cycles (biomimicry)

resource exchange webs similar to food webs

An Example of Cleaner ProductionAn Example of Cleaner Production

Denmark: coal-fired power plant, oil Denmark: coal-fired power plant, oil refinery, sulfuric acid producer, refinery, sulfuric acid producer, sheetrock plant, pharmaceutical sheetrock plant, pharmaceutical plant, cement manufacturer, local plant, cement manufacturer, local farms, horticulture greenhouses, fish farms, horticulture greenhouses, fish farm, and nearby homes cooperate farm, and nearby homes cooperate to save money and convert wastes to save money and convert wastes into resources for one anotherinto resources for one another

Service Flow Economy Service Flow Economy

customers customers lease or rentlease or rent services services and goods, rather than buying themand goods, rather than buying them

also called also called product stewardship product stewardship economyeconomy

Advantages of a Service Flow Advantages of a Service Flow EconomyEconomy

• reduces resource use and waste

• provides customers with services/products they need rather than trying to sell them newer models or outmoded products

• services/products last longer and are maintained by company – don’t need to be continually replaced

Examples of Service Flow Examples of Service Flow EconomyEconomy

Xerox leases copy machinesXerox leases copy machines

chauffagistes – firms that provide warmth chauffagistes – firms that provide warmth service in Franceservice in France

Carrier – makes air-conditioning Carrier – makes air-conditioning equipment. Leases cooling services to equipment. Leases cooling services to customers.customers.

Dow has chemical service business where Dow has chemical service business where it brings chemicals to the client, sets up it brings chemicals to the client, sets up recovery system, takes used chemical recovery system, takes used chemical away, delivers new chemicals away, delivers new chemicals

What is “reuse”? What is “reuse”? form of waste reduction that form of waste reduction that

• extends resource suppliesextends resource supplies

• keeps high-quality matter resources from keeps high-quality matter resources from being reduced to low-matter-quality wastebeing reduced to low-matter-quality waste

• reduces energy use and pollution more than reduces energy use and pollution more than recyclingrecycling

use things over and overuse things over and over again by repairing again by repairing them, donating them, selling them, etc.them, donating them, selling them, etc.

Examples of ReuseExamples of Reuse

• metal/plastic lunchboxesmetal/plastic lunchboxes

• Plastic containers used for leftovers instead of Plastic containers used for leftovers instead of foil or plastic wrapfoil or plastic wrap

• Cloth shopping bagsCloth shopping bags

• Tool librariesTool libraries

• Refillable bottles (glass and plastic)Refillable bottles (glass and plastic)

Advantages of ReuseAdvantages of Reuse

Less wasteful use of resourcesLess wasteful use of resources

Extends resource suppliesExtends resource supplies

Maintains high quality matterMaintains high quality matter

Reduces energy useReduces energy use

What is open-loop recycling? What is open-loop recycling? secondary recycling

waste materials are converted into different and usually lower-quality products

reduces amount of virgin materials in a product by at most 25%

also known as down-cycling or reprocessing

Examples of Open-Loop RecyclingExamples of Open-Loop Recycling

used plastic bottles are made into used plastic bottles are made into plastic drainage pipes plastic drainage pipes

Used plastic bottles are made into Used plastic bottles are made into fibers for carpeting or clothing or fibers for carpeting or clothing or lumberlumber

Recycling of Cell Recycling of Cell PhonesPhones

http://science.howstuffworks.chttp://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-scieom/environmental/green-science/recycling.htmnce/recycling.htm

What is closed-loop recycling? What is closed-loop recycling? primary recycling

wastes discarded by consumers (post consumer waste) are recycled to produce new products of the same type

reduces amount of virgin material by 20-90% in new product

Saves energy

Reduces pollution

Examples of Closed Loop Examples of Closed Loop RecyclingRecycling

Make Al cans from recycled Al cansMake Al cans from recycled Al cans

Recycling old newspaper to make Recycling old newspaper to make paperboard and other paper productspaperboard and other paper products

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/ess05_vid_recycleplant/

What is compost?What is compost?

a combination of decomposed plant a combination of decomposed plant and animal materials that are being and animal materials that are being decomposed mainly through aerobic decomposed mainly through aerobic decomposition; results in organically decomposition; results in organically rich, black soilrich, black soil

What is pay-as-you-throw?What is pay-as-you-throw?

charges for garbage collection charges for garbage collection depends on amount of waste being depends on amount of waste being disposed of disposed of

materials separated out for materials separated out for recycling are hauled away freerecycling are hauled away free

What is centralized recycling of What is centralized recycling of solid waste? solid waste?

process by which solid waste is collected in one centralized location (MRF or materials-recovery facility)

At this location, waste is separated into usable materials which are then sold to manufacturers as raw materials, and whatever is left is recycled or incinerated to produce steam or electricity to run the recovery plant or to sell. Ash is buried in landfill.

Advantages of MRFsAdvantages of MRFs

encourages large-scale recyclingencourages large-scale recycling

http://www.sjrecycles.org/residents/mrf.asp

Disadvantages of MRFsDisadvantages of MRFs

• expensive to build and operate

• can emit toxic air pollution

• produce toxic ash

• Need large amount of trash to be financially successful (thus almost promotes greater trash production!)

What is consumer separation of What is consumer separation of solid waste? solid waste?

Consumer separates out recyclables and Consumer separates out recyclables and reusable itemsreusable items from their trash before putting it from their trash before putting it out for collectionout for collection

Recyclables can be picked up by Recyclables can be picked up by compartmentalized city collection trucks, compartmentalized city collection trucks, private haulers, or volunteer recycling private haulers, or volunteer recycling organizationsorganizations

Recyclables could be brought to drop-off center, Recyclables could be brought to drop-off center, buyback centers, or returned for a deposit buyback centers, or returned for a deposit refundrefund

Referred to as Referred to as source separationsource separation

Advantages to Source SeparationAdvantages to Source Separation

little air and water pollution produced

low startup cost; moderate operating costs

saves more energy and provides more jobs per unit of material than MRFs, landfills, incinerators

yields cleaner and usually more valuable recyclables

educates people about need for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling

Disadvantages to Source Disadvantages to Source SeparationSeparation

Some recyclables are valuable (aluminum and paper) and encourage stealing from curbside containers

Not everyone willing to participate

Does recycling make economic Does recycling make economic sense?sense?

NO

• costs more to recycle than to send them to landfill

• fanatical recyclers

• not needed to save landfill space in all communities

Does recycling make economic Does recycling make economic sense?sense?

YES

• benefit of recycling is for people and the environment, not just to conserve landfill space and reduce use of incinerators

• net economic, health, environmental benefits outweigh costs of recycling

• many programs actually making money

Why don’t we have more reduction Why don’t we have more reduction and recycling?and recycling?

consumer items don’t include environmental and health costs of raw materials

there are more tax breaks for resource-extracting companies than there are for recycling and reuse industries

there is a lack of steady, large markets for recycled materials

Ways to Encourage RecyclingWays to Encourage Recycling tax virgin resources and phase out subsidies for extraction of

virgin resources

lower or eliminate taxes on recycled materials based on post-consumer waste content

provide subsidies for reuse and post-consumer waste recycling

increase use of pay-as-you-throw system

encourage or require government purchases of recycled products to help increase demand and lower prices

view landfill and incineration of solid waste as a last resort – used only if product can’t be reused, recycled, or composted

require labels on all products listing pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content

Dealing with Materials Use and WastesDealing with Materials Use and Wastes

1st Priority1st Priority 2nd Priority2nd Priority Last PriorityLast Priority

Primary Pollutionand Waste Prevention

• Change industrial process to eliminate use of harmful chemicals

• Purchase different products

• Use less of a harmful product

• Reduce packaging and materials in products

• Make products that last longer and are recyclable, reusable or easy to repair

Secondary Pollution and Waste Prevention

• Reduce products

• Repair products

• Recycle

• Compost

• Buy reusable and recyclable products

Waste Management

• Treat waste to reduce toxicity

• Incinerate waste

• Bury waste in landfill

• Release waste into environment for dispersal or dilution

Fig. 21.4, p. 521

Trends in Municipal Solid Waste in 2009

• 61 million tons of MSW (excluding composting) was collected through recycling.

• Composting recovered about 21 million tons of waste.

• 29 million tons of waste was combusted for energy recovery (about 12 percent).

• Approximately, ____ waste was produced per person per day in 2009. After subtracting out what we recycled and composted, we combusted (with energy recovery) or discarded 2.9 pounds per person per day.

Trends in Municipal Solid Waste in 2009

• In 2009, office-type paper recovery rose to about 74 percent (4 million tons),.

• About 60 percent of yard trimmings were recovered.

• Metals were recycled at a rate of about 34.5 percent.

• By recycling more than 7 million tons of metals (which includes aluminum, steel, and mixed metals), we eliminated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totaling about 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO2E). This is equivalent to removing almost 5 million cars from the road for one year.*

We still have a long way to go!We still have a long way to go!

About 132 million tons of MSW (54.3 percent) were still discarded in landfills in 2009 .

Benefits of RecyclingBenefits of RecyclingReduces global

warmingReduces acid

depositionReduces urban

air pollution

Make fuelsupplies

last longer

Reducesair pollution

Savesenergy

Reducesenergy demand

Reduceswater pollution

Recycling

Reduces solidwaste disposal

Reducesmineraldemand

Protectsspecies

Reduceshabitat

destruction

Fig. 21.7, p. 530