Waste Disposal and Management Ch. 24

What are Wastes? Definition: outputs of a system that are nonuseful substances or objects which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed. Disposal means “any operation which may lead to resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct re-use or alternative uses” (Annex IVB of the Basel Convention)

Classifications of Wastes Solid wastes: plastics, styrofoam containers, bottles, cans, papers, scrap iron, and other trash Liquid wastes: domestic washings, chemicals, oils, waste water from ponds, manufacturing industries and other sources Bio-degradable: can be degraded by natural means (paper, wood, fruits) Non-biodegradable: cannot be degraded by natural means (plastics, bottles, old machines, cans, styrofoam containers) Hazardous wastes: Substances unsafe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically that are shipped, transported to or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal Non-hazardous: Substances safe to use commercially, industrially, agriculturally, or economically that are shipped, transported to or brought from the country of origin for dumping or disposal

Sources of Wastes The Story of Stuff Municipal: (MSW) Households (~60%) Commerce and Industry (schools, hospitals, etc) (~40%) The Story of Stuff

Sources of Wastes Agriculture Fisheries

E- Waste The 20 Countries that Generated the Most E-Waste Last Year U.N. Data of Global E-waste 2014

Waste Generation by Country (World Bank, 2012) Great interactive map with various waste visuals– i.e. amount of plastic disposed of by country, number of landfills, etc.

EFFECTS OF WASTE IF NOT MANAGED WISELY Affects our health Affects our socio-economic conditions Affects our coastal and marine environment Affects our climate Give a specific example to show how each area is affected!

How should we manage solid waste? #1 choice

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE Reduce Waste Reduce office paper waste by implementing a formal policy to duplex all draft reports and by making training manuals and personnel information available electronically. - Improve product design to use less materials. - Redesign packaging to eliminate excess material while maintaining strength. - Work with customers to design and implement a packaging return program. - Switch to reusable transport containers. - Purchase products in bulk.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE REUSE: Donate/Exchange - Reuse corrugated moving boxes internally. - Reuse office furniture and supplies, such as interoffice envelopes, file folders, and paper. - Use durable towels, tablecloths, napkins, dishes, cups, and glasses. - Use incoming packaging materials for outgoing shipments. - Encourage employees to reuse office materials rather than purchase new ones. Donate/Exchange - old books, clothes, etc. - old computers and technology (www.gazelle.com) - excess building materials - old equipment to local organizations

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE RECYCLE: Closed loop recycling- recycling of a product into the same product Open loop Recycling- one product recycled into a new product

RECYCLE:

Sanitary Landfills Leachate Production of methane (CH4) Landfill construction animation *KNOW THE LAYERS and DESIGN!

Important U.S. Federal Laws for Handling Hazardous Wastes Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) a.k.a. Superfund Act 1980 Federal money to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites, as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. EPA has given power to seek out those parties responsible for any release and assure their cooperation in the cleanup. (ie. Love Canal, NY; BP Oil Spill) Amendment (1986) - Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Brownfields –contaminated industrial and commercial land sites, that are not considered for Superfund, but may require clean up before they can be redeveloped or expanded; grants seed money for businesses (asbestos, oil spill areas, etc.)

Important U.S. Federal Laws continued.. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - Regulates the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste through “cradle to grave” philosophy. (meaning that the waste is tracked via written records from the time it becomes a waste, and that ownership remains with the generator forever – i.e. Beach Clean Up tracking of garbage Ocean Dumping Act - Prohibits dumping of waste and sewage in ocean Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) -Promote better management of solid wastes and enforce regulations for solid waste collection, transportation, recycling, and disposal. Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HAZMAT) - Governs transportation of hazardous wastes (mailing at post office, taking on flights, ships etc.)

Hazardous Waste Proper Disposal Every city must have a specific hazardous waste disposal drop off for residents. Hazardous waste disposal info for 2016 in Pembroke Pines http://www.ppines.com/index.aspx?NID=962 All Broward County locations http://www.broward.org/WASTEANDRECYCLING/RECYCLING/Pages/ElectronicsRecycling.aspx