Solid and Toxic Waste

Solid and Toxic WasteSolid WasteYellow text links to videos you need to watch.Solid WasteAny unwanted or discarded __________________

History of Garbage500 BC earliest evidence of a 'city dump' in the Western world in Athens, GreeceThroughout the Roman period and the Middle Ages in Europe, open dumping of wastes in streets or ditches remained the prevailing method of waste disposal.History of GarbageThroughout the 20th century the garbage problem continued to mount at a rate several times higher than the rate of population growth _________________________________

History of GarbageUntil the 1970s, the most common method of urban refuse disposal was ________________ Problems:Support large numbers of rats, flies, & cockroaches that may invade nearby structuresContaminate surface or groundwater supplies when leachates containing dissolved pollutants run or seep downward through the soil from the dumpsiteStink!Open dumping of municipal waste was outlawed by the federal government in ______________

History of GarbageThe 'Garbage Barge' searched for 5 months & finally returned to NY with a Greenpeace banner that read 'Next Time Try Recycling'

Waste Views______________________________:high waste approach, views waste as unavoidable, mixes wastes together and ships it to another place______________________________:low waste approach, views solid waste as potential resources for reusing, recycling, and compostingEPAs waste hierarchyHow should we deal with waste?Waste reduction & reuse (most desirable)Recycling and composting Waste combustion & landfilling (least desirable)

Whats in our Trash?Where does it come from?About 98.5% of all solid waste in US (and other ed nations) comes from

The remaining 1.5% is referred to as municipal solid waste (MSW)Garbage/ trashGenerated by ____________________________Amount generated increases each yearUS is _________ in amt of MSW generated/yearWhere does it come from?Where does our trash go?

Burned in incinerators (16%)Dumped inlandfills (54%)Recycled orcomposted(30%)

How do we deal with waste?________________(burn it/ dump it/ bury it)________________________________________________

NIMBYNotInMyBack-Yard

E-WasteElectronic waste (TVs, cell phones, computers, game systems)Fastest growing solid waste program in the US and the worldSource of toxic and hazardous wastes such as _________________________ & compounds that include _______________________Contaminates air, water, and soilIn US, only ______ is recycled

E-WasteGets shipped to other countries with looser regulationsPeople remove valuable pieces from computers to sell/ recycleChildrenBurn it or let it sit in open dumps

Collected refuse is spread in thin layers and compacted by bulldozers. When the compacted layers are 8-10 feet deep, they are covered with ~6 inches of dirt, which is again compacted. At the end of each day another thin layer of soil is placed over the fill to prevent litter from blowing away, to keep out pests, and to minimize odor.When the landfill is full, a final earth cover 2 ft deep is placed over the entire area and the land can be used for a park, golf course, etcLandfills

LandfillsIn 1999, the average cost for burying a ton of MSW at a US landfill (the ________________) was $33 (cheaper than the cost of other methods of waste disposal)Tipping fees will increase as the volume of available landfill space decreases.

TopsoilSandClayGarbageGarbageSandSynthetic linerSandClaySubsoilWhen landfill is full,layers of soil and clayseal in trashMethane storageand compressorbuildingElectricitygeneratorbuildingLeachatetreatment systemMethane gasrecoveryPipe collect explosivemethane gas used as fuelto generate electricityCompactedsolid wasteLeachatestorage tanksLeachatemonitoringwellLeachatemonitoringwellGroundwaterGroundwaterGroundwatermonitoringwellGroundwatermonitoringwellLeachate pipesLeachate pipesLeachate pumped upto storage tanks forsafe disposalLeachate pumped upto storage tanks forsafe disposalClay and plastic liningto prevent leaks; pipescollect leachate frombottom of landfillProblems With LandfillsLimited spaceUneven settling of the land may occurAnaerobic decomposition of landfilled material may result in the accumulation of _____________ (can cause explosions or fire)_____________________ polluting steams or aquifersMinimized by careful site selection selecting locations under laid by impervious clay formations and far removed from water bodies

Wetlands as LandfillsIn the past wetland areas were considered 'worthless' b/c they were unsuitable for development were used as landfill sites (wetlands are the least appropriate site for a landfill)

IncinerationPrior to the __________________________, burning of waste in large municipal incinerators was the waste disposal method of choice in many communities where landfilling was less suitable. Many incinerators shut down as a result of the CAA.Burning refuse reduces the volume of waste by 80-90%The leftover waste goes to a landfill

Waste-to-energyDuring the 1980s some new 'waste-to-energy' plants opened. Today there are:88 facilities in the US12 in Florida4 in Tampa Bay area Capture heat from combustion to produce electricity (expensive to build and operate)

IncinerationThe 1990 CAA Amendments required incinerators install:____________________________________________________________ for trapping metal particulatesActivated carbon injection systems for capturing _________________________________________Combustion controls that maintain furnace temperatures high enough to prevent dioxin formation and ensure a more complete burn

Power plantSteamTurbineGeneratorElectricityCraneFurnaceBoilerWetscrubberElectrostaticprecipitatorConveyorWaterBottomashConven-tionallandfillWastetreatmentHazardousWastelandfillDirtywaterWaste pitSmokestackFlyashIncinerationBurning refuse releases __________________ and heavy metals (Mercury, Lead, Cadmium)Ash from municipal waste incinerators must be tested if it is toxic, it must be managed as a 'hazardous waste'; if not, it can be landfilled

Reducing Solid WasteConsume less- Do I really NEED this or do I just WANT it?Redesign manufacturing processes & products to use less energy & materialsRedesign manufacturing processes & products to produce less waste and production

Reducing Solid Waste4. Develop products that are easy to repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost, or recycle5. Design products to last longer6. Eliminate unnecessary packaging How can YOU reduce?Rent/ borrow/ or barter goods and servicesBuy things that are recyclable and then recycle it when you are doneDont use disposable items if reusable ones are availableUse emailRead newspapers/ magazines onlineBuy concentrated products (soaps)

Govt encouragement to reduceEconomic incentives and disincentives to influence consumer choice__________________________ of trash rather than unlimited trash pick-up___________on hard to dispose of items such as tires, motor oil, cars, lead-acid batteries, antifreeze, and major appliances (to offset cost of disposal)ReuseInvolves cleaning and reusing a material over and over again which increases the life of the productReduces use of matter and energy resources, cuts pollution and waste, creates local jobs, saves moneyDoesnt work if you just throw stuff away!

ReuseReusable _________________________Buy ______________________instead of newUse ___________ instead of __________ (napkins, diapers, tissues)_____________/ hard plastic bottles__________________

RecyclingReprocessing discarded solid materials into new useful products

Ecological benefits of recycling_______________________ reduces deforestation and use of nonrenewable mineral ores_______________________ recycling consumes 50-90% less energy than manufacturing the same item from new materials_______________________ reduces air pollution emissions from manufacturing, etc.

Aluminum can, used onceSteel can used onceRecycled steel canGlass drink bottle used onceRecycled aluminum canRecycled glass drink bottleRefillable drink bottle, used 10 times08162432Energy (thousands of kilocalories)Types of recyclingSource separation programs (curbside recycling, recycling centers, drop-boxes) _____________ ____________________(MRFs) sort and prepare recyclables for marketingSome cities have opted for 'dirty' MRFs collect all municipal wastes and process them into recyclablesAdvantage higher percentage of wastes collected Disadvantage more expensive to construct and operate; quality of recyclable materials is low and have little or no value

OutsideusersPipelineShredderEnergy recovery(steam andelectricity)Incinerator(paper, plastics,rubber, food,yard waste)Food, grass, leavesSeparatorMetalsRubberGlassPlasticsPaperResidueCompostRecycled to primary manufacturersLandfill andreclaimingdisturbedlandFertilizerConsumer (user)RecyclingIt's not recycled until its used to produce new goods In recent years an oversupply of recyclable material has caused a decline in the market supplies for scrap.The cost of collecting and processing recyclables often exceeds their resale value

Plastics are difficult to recycle because ___________________________________

Ways to increase recycling______________________ requires consumers to pay a refundable deposit on beer and soft drink containers (originally designed to reduce littering)Minimum ______________________________ require targeted products contain a certain percentage of recycled materials. Government procurement policies require government agencies, universities and public schools to purchase supplies that contain recycled materials.

CompostingSimple process that copies nature to recycle the biodegradable organic wastes we produceResulting compost can be used as a fertilizer, topsoil, landfill cover, and can be used to restore eroded soilsVery easy- many food & lawn products can be compostedComposting

Composting process__________________ - incoming wastes are shredded to a relatively uniform size. In some composting operations, sewage sludge or animal manures are added to the refuse__________________ - microbes are utilized to break down organic waste materials. Digestion may be aerobic or anaerobic (aerobic requires less time and has fewer odor problems). Heat given off by microbial respiration kills fly eggs, weed seeds, and pathogenic organisms.

Composting process3. ________________ - after digestion of simpler carbon-containing materials, additional curing time is allowed to permit microbes to break down cellulose and lignin4.________________- compost may be put through screens and grinders to remove non-digested materials and create a uniform appearance Hazardous WasteWhat is 'hazardous waste'?___________________________________ (1976)Defined hazardous waste as "any discarded material that may pose a substantial threat or potential danger to human health or the environment when improperly handled" RCRAMandates that the EPA must:Define which wastes are hazardousInstitute a manifest system to trace movement of h.w. from generation to disposal (____________ ____________________)Issue permits for operation of h.w. disposal facilities

RCRAStrengthened (1984) with the enactment of Hazardous and Solid Waste AmendmentsSignificantly reduced the types of hazardous wastes which can be buried in landfillsStrengthened requirements for landfill design and operationSmaller quantity h.w. generators previously exempt are now regulatedNew program for detecting and controlling leaks from underground storage tanksEPA & Hazardous WastesEPA established a 2-tiered system to determine if a substance should be classified as a hazardous waste

Hazardous Waste Tier 1Waste list of 500+ compoundsWastes may be placed on the list if they induce ______________________________; if they are particularly toxic to plants; or because low doses are fatal to humans.

58itemized in Parts 261.31-33 of the Code of Federal RegulationsHazardous Waste Tier 2If it falls into any of the following categories:Toxic - heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, etc.), arsenic or certain pesticides capable of causing acute or chronic health problemsIgnitable - Organic solvents, oils, paint wastes, etc (flashpoint less than 60 degrees C or because they undergo spontaneous combustionCorrosive - acids, alkaline cleaning agents, battery residues (pH of 2 or less or 12.5 and above)Reactive - obsolete munitions, wastes from dynamite or firecrackers, and certain chemical wastesWhat is NOT 'hazardous waste'?Radioactive wastes and potentially infectious medical wastes are not currently regulated as hazardous waste:Radioactive wastes are managed according to regulations adopted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under the Atomic Energy ActBiomedical waste disposal laws vary state to state

What is 'hazardous waste'?More than 85% of all hazardous wastes are produced by just 3 major categories:

Disposal ThreatsDirect contact skin irritation, initiation of chronic illness, or acute poisoningFire / ExplosionsPoison via the food chain Minamata Bay, JapanAir pollutionSurface water contaminationGroundwater contaminationImproper DisposalPrior to the mid-1970s, almost half of all hazardous wastes were simply dumped into unlined surface impoundments (pits, pond, or lagoons) located on the generators' property. A large percentage was sent to ordinary landfills.

Legal Disposal Options____________________________(18 in the US)_______________________________- pumping liquid wastes into porous rock formations deep underground, well below any drinking water aquifersVarious Chemical, Physical, or Biological Treatment Processes - reduce volume or toxicity

Bulk wasteImperviousclayEarthWater tableGroundwaterClay capGas ventTopsoilEarthSandPlastic coverImpervious clay capLeakdetectionsystemReactionwastesin dreamsDouble leachatecollection systemPlastic double linerGroundwatermonitoringwell

WastetransporterHazardous wasteSupportcolumnInspectorElevator shaftPhysical Methods of DisposalFiltering solidsDistilling liquid mixturesPrecipitating chemicals from a solutionChemical Methods of DisposalUsed to convert into less harmful or harmless chemicals Scientists are testing cyclodextrin (a sugar made from cornstarch) to remove solvents and pesticidesCan be cleaned and reused!Biological Methods of DisposalBacteria and enzymes are used to break down toxic/ hazardous substances___________________________- use of microbes, fungi, or plants (phytoremediation) to break down or absorb organic pollutants or toxic metalsincreasingly used to clean up oil spills and remediate contaminated soil or groundwater the use of 'Genetically Engineered Microbes' is strictly regulated under the ____________________________

Biological Methods of DisposalUses natural of genetically engineered plants to absorb, filter, and remove contaminants from polluted soil and waterEx: _________________

BrownfieldsAbandoned industrial and commercial sitesUsually contaminated with hazardous wastesEx: factories, junkyards, older landfills, and gas stationsCan be cleaned up and reborn as parks, nature reserves, athletic fields, etc

Lead (Pb)Does not breakdown in the environmentPotent neurotoxin that can damage the nervous system- ESPECIALLY in young children12,000-16,000 kids each year under 9 (in US) are treated for acute lead poisoning200 dieSurvivors can suffer from palsy, partial paralysis, blindness, and mental retardationLead (Pb)Number of children with safe levels of Pb in their blood is dropping ()Scientists say there is no safe level of Pb in the blood streamPaints and leaded gasoline

Mercury (Hg)Heavily used in US (thermometers, teeth fillings, CFCs, paint pigments, fungicides, insecticides, and dry-cell batteries, etc)Once released into the atmosphere, Hg usually becomes __________ toxic

Mercury (Hg)Humans are exposed in 2 ways:Inhaling vaporized elemental Hg or particulates/ saltsEating fish contaminated with methylmercury

Mercury poisoningPregnant women should limit their fish consumptionCan cause nervous system damage to fetus1 in 3 women have too much mercury in their system to safely carry a childAdults who consume too much can develop Hg poisoningDamages brain, kidneys, and lungs

4 Big Pollution Diseases in JapanMinamata disease (___________________ poisoning)Niigata Minamata disease (________________ poisoning)Yokkaichi asthma (_________________ & _________________)Itai-itai disease (________________ poisoning)

Minimata DiseaseItai-Itai DiseaseMinamata DiseaseFist discovered in 1956 in Minamata, JapanCaused by the release of methylmercury in the industrial wastewater released by Chisso Corps chemical plant which went on from 1932 to 1968

Bioaccumulation v Biomagnification______________________: build up of toxic substances inside an organisms fatty tissuesIn one organism, in their lifeYour brain is fatty tissue

______________________: Magnification of toxic substances up the trophic pyramidIn multiple organisms along the food chain

Superfund______________________________________________________________(CERCLA)Identified sites that have been contaminated with hazardous wastesSuperfund Sites

CERCLACreated the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to clean up Superfund sitesLove Canal is a Superfund site

Love CanalNeighborhood of Niagara Falls, NYHooker Chemical buried 21,000 tons of toxic materialsHooker Chem was pressured into selling the site to the Niagara Falls School Board in 1953 for $1Deed detailed the dangers

Love CanalCity knowingly built over the siteRemoved clay cap & damaged protective structuresConstruction & heavy rains release the toxic wastes in 1962

Love CanalTook a long time to get recognition of the problem1978-declared a state of emergencyHooker Chemicals was held responsible

Love CanalResidents were evacuatedArea was demolishedSome people live in areas far enough away to be considered safeMany cases of birth defects