Solid and Hazardous Waste Chapter 21

Solid Waste Problems Disease (Rodent and pest reduction) Fire potential Decrease in the aesthetic quality of the environment Pollutants (water and soil)

Solid Waste 98.5% is from 1. Mining 2. Oil and gas production 3. Agriculture 4. Sewage treatment 5. Industry 1.5% is municipal solid waste (MSW) - trash, garbage - more common items Source: EPA Office of Solid Waste, Municipal Solid Waste Fact Sheet www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/facts.htm

MSW http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/facts.htm

Source Reduction http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/facts.htm

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle

Composting Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter, such as food and yard wastes, into humus, a soil-like material Composting is nature's way of recycling organic wastes into new soil used in vegetable and flower gardens, landscaping, and many other applications http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/facts.htm

Incinerators and Landfills Incinerators and Energy from Waste generation Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) The number of landfills in the United States is steadily decreasing but new landfills are much larger than in the past

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Enacted by Congress in 1976 and amended in 1984. Primary goal is to protect human health and the environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal. Also calls for conservation of energy and natural resources, reduction in waste generated, and environmentally sound waste management practices.

Federal Landfill Standards A: Location restrictions ensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas B: Liners are geomembrane or plastic sheets reinforced with two feet of clay on the bottom and sides of landfills C: Operating practices such as compacting and covering waste frequently with several inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public health D: Groundwater monitoring requires testing groundwater wells to determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill

Federal Landfill Standards E: Closure and postclosure care include covering landfills and providing long-term care of closed landfills F: Corrective action controls and cleans up landfill releases and achieves groundwater protection standards G: Financial assurance provides funding for environmental protection during and after landfill closure (i.e., closure and postclosure care)

Anatomy of a Landfill – Part 1 The bottom liner may be layers of clay or other synthetic material & placed on compacted soil. A leachate collections system is located below the landfill. Its a system of pipes to collect leachate which is pumped away and treated at a plant. Trash is consistently layered with soil to promote decomposition.

Anatomy of a Landfill – Part 2 A cover is placed over the landfill to keep water out (to prevent eventual leachate formation). Landfills also must have a system to dispose of methane gas. Landfill sustainability

Household Hazardous Waste Common household items such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain hazardous components Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year

Superfunds/Brownfields Sites/properties where dumping of hazardous wastes was intensive or continuous Congress established the Superfund Program in 1980 to locate, investigate, and clean up the worst sites nationwide The Love Canal

Superfund Management Legislation: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabilities Act (CERCLA); 1980 “Superfund” to clean up abandoned sites Hazard Ranking System (HRS) National Priority List (NPL) Reauthorized in 1986 (SARA) Intended as a solution to those previously contaminated sites with no-one to pay In our neighborhood?

SUPERFUND SITE: Clean-up from Oil Spill