Recycling, Solid and Hazardous Wastes CHAPTER 16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BoE_rptcp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2WiqOtlqg https://vimeo.com/11704000

Life cycle Life cycle analysis is a study of input and output of resources from each product.

What is Solid Waste? Discarded material that is thrown away. NOT USEFUL. 2012: 251 million tons of trash created; ~35% of this was recycled or composted. Average American creates ~4.38 lbs of trash/day

Humans vs. other animals

2012 Total MSW Generation Note what could be composted!!!

E-Waste Computer monitors and TVs contain mercury, cadmium, lead The recycling of this is costly on many levels. $$$$ to recycle; most ends up in China

3 Rs Reduce and Refuse- source reduction- less materials to produce. Ex: 2 pieces of paper to one. Reuse Recycle Closed loop- same product is created. Al cans Open loop- tires into carpet

IKEA and Mushrooms Using packaging made from mushrooms that will decompose in a garden within weeks.

Composting decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil- like material

Managing Solid Waste Incineration (Energy Recovered From Waste)- ~19% Landfills- open dumps and sanitary- ~54% Recycling- ~27%

RCRA 1976- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Regulates the management of non-hazardous solid waste in landfills Encourages minimizing waste production. Controls hazardous waste with a “cradle to grave”

NIMBY Placement of land-fills, incinerators, etc in locations against public opinion. Tend to be placed in poor areas- environmental injustice.

Incineration ~20% of U.S. waste disposal Reduces volume quickly Toxic must be land-filled; “safe” ash can be used in road construction materials Waste to Energy program Burning of plastics can produce DIOXINS and HCl

Modern Sanitary Landfill Important details: 1. Leachate (contaminated rainwater that has moved through the layers) collection system Plastic and CLAY liners Methane gas collection system

Landfills Landfills must be positioned 6 FT ABOVE the water table Can’t be placed close to geologic faults, wetlands, or flood plains

Leachate Collection System Leachate is the “liquid” collected by the system. Results from biodegradable materials like food, paper; Chemicals- batteries (Cadmium), cleaners, paints Organic materials should not be put in landfills- METHANE

Land fill Tipping Fees $35/ton charged by the landfill (average).

Capping landfills when full- Reclamation can begin

Low groundwater pollution if sited properly Can be built quickly Trade-Offs Sanitary Landfills Advantages Disadvantages No open burning Little odor Low groundwater pollution if sited properly Can be built quickly Low operating costs Can handle large amounts of waste Filled land can be used for other purposes No shortage of landfill space in many areas Noise and traffic Dust Air pollution from toxic gases and volatile organic compounds Releases greenhouse gases (methane and CO2) unless they are collected Groundwater contamination Slow decomposition of wastes Discourages recycling waste reduction Eventually leaks and can contaminate groundwater

Math Practice Annual precipitation in City Aqua’s landfill is 100 mm/yr and 50% of this runs off the landfill. This landfill has surface area of 5,000 m2. The leachate collection system is 80% efficient. Calculate the volume of water in cubic meters (m3) that infiltrates the landfill annually. 100 mm/year= 0.1 m/yr 0.1 m/yr x 5,000 m2 x .5= 250 m3 2.How much leachate in m3 is treated annually? 250 m3 x .8= 200m3

Reusing-What can you do? Use reusable plastic or glass containers. Use rechargeable batteries & recycle them. Use cloth grocery bags. Carry lunches in reusable containers rather than plastic bags or aluminum foil.

Recycling Reprocesses solid waste into a new product. Cuts energy use by 95%. Curbside recycling- The Big Five: aluminum cans, glass bottles, paper, plastic and steel/tin cans. http://preciousplastic.com/

Bottled Water https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIrDdop16Q0

Hazardous Waste Any discarded solid or liquid material that is TOXIC, FLAMABLE, CORROSIVE, or REACTIVE. By-products of pesticide and plastic production. Developed countries create 80-90% U.S.- regulated under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Superfund Legislation Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabilities Act (CERCLA); 1980 “Superfund” to clean up abandoned sites Hazard Ranking System (HRS) National Priority List (NPL) http://time.com/4695109/superfund-sites-toxic-waste-locations/

DIOXIN Dioxin Results from incineration of plastics, bleaching paper Causes cancer and is an endocrine disruptor.

Treating HW Physical methods- Filtering Incineration Surface impoundments- ponds, pits, or lagoons that store HW. Secured landfills Biological- -bioremediation (bacteria), phytoremediation (plants)

Brownfields Abandoned sites that contain hazardous chemicals (industrial or commercial) ~450,000 sites in the U.S. but only 40,000 have been cleaned up and redeveloped.

Case Study #2 Times Beach, Mo A rural town of 2,240 residents. Russell Bliss sprayed the dirt roads with “waste oil” contained dioxin On Dec 23, 1982- EPA announced it had identified dangerous levels of dioxin in Times Beach's soil. Feb. 23, 1983 the EPA announced the town's buyout for $32 million Today- State Park- can be seen off State Route 66 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6ERulKdAII

Case Study #3 Love Canal Niagara Falls, NY Toxic wastes (82 compounds, 11 carcinogens) were buried by Hooker Chemical company. Benzene, Dioxin 1940s-1950s…. 1978 residents starting noticing problems….. August 1978 President Carter declared sections of the site federal disaster areas. Led to the enactment of CERCLA-SUPERFUND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjobz14i8kM

Minamata Japan and Mercury Posioning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihFkyPv1jtU

Case Study #1 Bhopal, India Dec 1984 World’s worst industrial accident- explosion at Union Carbide pesticide plant. Toxic cloud over 30 sq miles and 600,000 people were exposed. 8,000 died within a few days, 23,000 died over the years, and 120,000+ left with chronic illnesses. 1989- Union carbide paid 470 million (without admitting negligence)