Ch. 19.1: Solid Waste

A. The Generation of Waste The U.S. generates more than 10 billion metric tons of solid waste per year More than doubled since the 1960s

A. The Generation of Waste We are currently running out of space to store this solid waste 1987, Islip, New York – 3,200 tons of waste were carried on a barge for 5 months

A. The Generation of Waste Increasing population and decreasing available land Average American produces 4.4 pounds of waste per day

B. Not All Wastes Are Equal 2 main types of solid waste: Biodegradable Ex. Newspaper, food, cotton fibers, paper bags, leather Nonbiodegradable Ex. Plastic, polyester, nylon

B. Not All Wastes Are Equal Plastic Problems Made from petroleum May last for hundreds of years because microbes cannot break them down

C. Other Types of Solid Waste Municipal solid waste Waste coming from households and businesses 2% of total solid waste in the United States Enough to fill a convoy of garbage trucks that would stretch around the Earth about 6 times

C. Other Types of Solid Waste Rest of waste comes from: Manufacturing – 56% Mining – 33% Agricultural – 9%

D. Solid Waste Management Most is sent to landfills Some is incinerated About 30% is recycled

D. Solid Waste Management Landfills Waste is buried with a thin layer of soil placed on top, followed by another layer of waste and soil, and so on…

D. Solid Waste Management Problems with landfills Leachate – liquid that passes through the waste and into the soil underneath May contain pesticides and other chemicals that can enter our water supply

D. Solid Waste Management Problems with landfills Methane – highly flammable gas that forms as waste decomposes Could possibly be used as fuel?

D. Solid Waste Management Safeguarding landfills 1976, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Requires new landfills to be lined with clay and plastic to collect leachate

D. Solid Waste Management Incinerators Alternative to landfills Involves burning waste

D. Solid Waste Management Problems with incinerators Trash is not separated Batteries, paint, etc. may be burned Toxic chemicals can be released into the atmosphere (worse than leaking into the ground)