Solid and Hazardous Waste G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Edited by Mr. Manskopf 2009 Chapter 24 G. Tyler Miller’s Living in the Environment 14 th Edition Edited by Mr. Manskopf 2009 Chapter 24

Love Canal, New York When Waste is Not Disposed of Properly 1942 to 1958 Hooker Chemicals Disposal Site 1953 Sold to Niagara Falls School Board (school, housing) 1976 Residents becoming sick 1978 Lois Gibbs leads outcry 1980 Declared Disaster Site 2004 Taken off Superfund List 1942 to 1958 Hooker Chemicals Disposal Site 1953 Sold to Niagara Falls School Board (school, housing) 1976 Residents becoming sick 1978 Lois Gibbs leads outcry 1980 Declared Disaster Site 2004 Taken off Superfund List

Chapter 24 Key Concepts  Types and amounts of wastes  Methods to reduce waste  Methods of dealing with wastes  Hazardous waste regulation in the US

Section 1: Wasting Resources Why should we care about solid waste? How much waste does the U.S. produce? What is in the garbage? The throw away mentality: OUT of SIGHT… OUT OF MIND

Solid Waste Unwanted or discarded material that is not liquid or gas Out of sight Out of Mind No Waste In Nature Two Reasons to Be Concerned: 1)Wasted Resources 2)Causes huge amounts of air, water, land pollution and soil erosion Unwanted or discarded material that is not liquid or gas Out of sight Out of Mind No Waste In Nature Two Reasons to Be Concerned: 1)Wasted Resources 2)Causes huge amounts of air, water, land pollution and soil erosion

Wasting Resources  Industrial and agricultural waste  Municipal solid waste  US: 11 billion metric tons/year Fig p. 533

Affluenza In Action U.S. produces 1/3 rd of world’s solid waste and buries ½ of it Most waste from mining, oil, gas, ag., sewage, industry Think about a simple product like a computer…how much waste produced to create it (Life Cycle) U.S. produces 1/3 rd of world’s solid waste and buries ½ of it Most waste from mining, oil, gas, ag., sewage, industry Think about a simple product like a computer…how much waste produced to create it (Life Cycle)

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) 1.5% of Solid Waste is MSW Between 1960 and 1990 per capita MSW grown 70%...why do you think that is? 38% is paper, 12% yard waste, 11% food waste, 10% platics E-Waste Growing FAST

MSW Continued… Garbologists findings 50 year old newspapers still readable Pork Chops decades old WHY DO THEY NOT DECOMPOSE????.....what do things need to decompose Garbologists findings 50 year old newspapers still readable Pork Chops decades old WHY DO THEY NOT DECOMPOSE????.....what do things need to decompose

MSW Continued… Read page 534 for some examples of how much stuff we waste…. Enough disposable diapers each year linked together would go to moon and back 7 times Enough office paper to build a wall 11 feet high between NYC and SF Read page 534 for some examples of how much stuff we waste…. Enough disposable diapers each year linked together would go to moon and back 7 times Enough office paper to build a wall 11 feet high between NYC and SF

Section 2: Producing Less Waste What are our options? Management or Prevention How can we reduce solid waste? What can you do?

Producing Less Waste and Pollution  Waste management (high waste approach) Waste is part of economic growth, lets manage negatives  Waste management (high waste approach) Waste is part of economic growth, lets manage negatives  Burying, burning, shipping  Waste prevention (low waste approach) Before product is produced look to minimize life cycle  Waste prevention (low waste approach) Before product is produced look to minimize life cycle  Reduce, reuse, recycle

Dealing with Material Use and Wastes Fig p. 535

The Sustainability Six 1)Consume less: Do we Really NEED this? 2)Redesign products to use less resources: How can we make this product using less resources throughout their life cycle 3)Redesign to use and make less pollution: Toxic substances etc.

The Sustainability Six 4) Develop products that are easier to repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost or recycle 5) Design products to last longer 6) Eliminate or reduce packaging (nude packaging)

Section 3: Selling Services not Things How can we copy nature and reduce waste? What is a service flow economy? Xerox example

Solutions: Cleaner Production  Ecoindustrial revolution: mimic nature  Resource exchange webs: waste of 1 manufacturer becomes raw materials for another  Resource exchange webs: waste of 1 manufacturer becomes raw materials for another  Biomimicry: using less resources to do same  Service-flow economy selling services not goods. Renting, eco-leasing, etc.  Service-flow economy selling services not goods. Renting, eco-leasing, etc.

Solutions: Selling Services Instead of Things  Service-flow economy  Uses a minimum amount of material  Products last longer  Products are easier to maintain, repair, and recycle  Eco-leasing: computers, cell phones, etc. See Individuals Matter p. 538

Section 4: Reuse What are the advantages and disadvantages of reuse? Should we use refillable containers? What are some other ways to reuse things?

What is REUSE? Cleaning and using the material over and over again increasing the lifespan of the product

Junkyards and salvaging wood from old homes etc.

Not Reuse…

Reuse: Pros  Extends resource supplies  Saves energy and money  Reduces pollution  Create jobs  Reusable products

Reuse: Cons Waste (especially e-waste) can contain harmful substances…especially heavy metals Many eke out living scavenging for waste in large open dumps

Some Success 95% of Finland’s soft drink, beer, wine bottles reused Germany about 3/4 th are refilled 95% of Finland’s soft drink, beer, wine bottles reused Germany about 3/4 th are refilled

Other examples of Reuse… Shopping bags and tool libraries

Section 5: Recycling What is recycling? What is composting? How should we recycle solid waste? How much waste paper is being recycled? How feasible is recycling plastics? Why isn’t more reused and recycled?

What is recycling? Reprocessing solid waste into new useful products 5 Categories in US Household Recycling 1)Paper Products 2)Glass 3)Aluminum 4)Steel 5)Some plastics Reprocessing solid waste into new useful products 5 Categories in US Household Recycling 1)Paper Products 2)Glass 3)Aluminum 4)Steel 5)Some plastics

Types of Recycling  Primary (closed-loop)  Preconsumer waste  Secondary (open loop)  Postconsumer waste Fig p. 539

Characteristics of Recyclable Materials  Easily isolated from other waste  Available in large quantities  Valuable

Recycling Rates Switzerland, Japan 50% U.S. 30% up from 6.4% in % is achievable Switzerland, Japan 50% U.S. 30% up from 6.4% in % is achievable

Benefits of Recycling Fig p. 541

Composting Composting organic waste mimics nature Only 5% of yard waste composted in U.S….could easily be raised to 35% Compost used as fertilizer, topsoil and help restore eroded land Composting organic waste mimics nature Only 5% of yard waste composted in U.S….could easily be raised to 35% Compost used as fertilizer, topsoil and help restore eroded land

Composting

Recycling Methods  Centralized recycling of mixed waste (Materials-Recovery Facilities, MRFs) Pros/Cons of MRFs  Centralized recycling of mixed waste (Materials-Recovery Facilities, MRFs) Pros/Cons of MRFs  Source separation: separate waste at home  Pay-as-you-throw (PAUT): pay for waste, not recycling  Pay-as-you-throw (PAUT): pay for waste, not recycling

MRFs: Need large volume and energy

Wastepaper Recycling Easy to recycle Removing ink, glue coating and reconverting into pulp 42% of world tree harvest is for paper Currently U.S. recycles 49% of waste paper Making paper has big enviro impact Easy to recycle Removing ink, glue coating and reconverting into pulp 42% of world tree harvest is for paper Currently U.S. recycles 49% of waste paper Making paper has big enviro impact

How plastics are made Recycling plastic is difficult chemically and economically 10% in U.S. recycled Different resins Low cost of oil Biodegradable plastics (bioplatics) offer hope

Types of Plastic

Economics of Recycling Paper, aluminum, steel are easy to recycle and make easy economic sense CRITICS: 1) plenty of landfill space, 2) Glass and plastic expensive to recycle Employs 1.1 million people Paper, aluminum, steel are easy to recycle and make easy economic sense CRITICS: 1) plenty of landfill space, 2) Glass and plastic expensive to recycle Employs 1.1 million people

Why we don’t recycle more Enviro Costs not included (externalities) Too few government subsidies Tipping fees at landfills cheap Price fluctuations for goods Often don’t PAUT Life cycle costs often not factored in Enviro Costs not included (externalities) Too few government subsidies Tipping fees at landfills cheap Price fluctuations for goods Often don’t PAUT Life cycle costs often not factored in

Section 6: Burning and Burying What are advantages and disadvantages of burning solid waste? What are the advantages and disadvantages of burying solid waste?

Typical Waste to Energy Plant (incinerator)

Burning Wastes  Mass burn incineration  Mass burn incineration  Air pollution  Waste to energy Fig p. 546

Burning Waste Japan and Switzerland over 50%, U.S. about 16% More than 280 project canceled in U.S. due to high costs, concern among citizens, air pollution etc. Japan and Switzerland over 50%, U.S. about 16% More than 280 project canceled in U.S. due to high costs, concern among citizens, air pollution etc.

Burying Wastes  Sanitary landfills  Leachate collection  Monitoring wells  Emit greenhouse gases (CO 2 and methane)  Open dumps

Sanitary Landfill Fig p. 547

Sanitary Landfills: Trade-offs And what about all of the older landfills around U.S. and the rest of the world???

NIMBY Not In My Back Yard common with landfills and incinerators

Section 7: Hazardous Waste What is hazardous waste? What can we do with hazardous waste? How can we detoxify waste? What are advantages and disadvantages of burying hazardous wastes? What are Brownfields?

What is Hazardous Waste? Any discarded solid or liquid that is toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive enough to explode or release toxic fumes % from developed countries 72% from Petro-Chem 22% mining Any discarded solid or liquid that is toxic, ignitable, corrosive or reactive enough to explode or release toxic fumes % from developed countries 72% from Petro-Chem 22% mining

Hazardous Wastes: Types  Contains at least one toxic compound  Catches fire easily  Reactive or explosive  Corrodes metal containers

Not Hazardous Wastes under RCRA  Radioactive wastes  Household wastes  Mining wastes  Oil and gas drilling wastes  Liquids containing organic hydrocarbons  Cement kiln dust  <100 kg (220 lb) per month

Case Study: Bhopal India 1984 World’s worst industrial accident Union Carbide pesticide plant explosion Toxic cloud settled over region killing 23, ,000 to 150,000 suffer chronic illnesses related to accident

Dealing with Hazardous Wastes Fig p. 550

Detoxifying and Removing Wastes  Bioremediation  Phytoremediation  Plasma incineration  Physical methods  Chemical methods

Deep-well Disposal Fig p. 553

Hazardous Waste Landfill Fig p. 554

Surface Impoundments: Trade-offs Fig p. 553

Brownfields Abandoned industrial and other hazardous waste site Factories, junk yards, gas stations Usually older urban areas like Camden are full of them

Brownfields Can be cleaned up and reborn as parks, industrial parks, etc. First need to be cleaned Some developers weary of taking risks and costs Can be cleaned up and reborn as parks, industrial parks, etc. First need to be cleaned Some developers weary of taking risks and costs

Brownfields

One example of many in Camden:

Case Studies: Lead  Lead poisoning major problem in children Primary Sources of Lead  Leaded gasoline (phased out by 1986)  Lead paint (banned in 1970)  Lead in plumbing  Progress is being made in reducing lead

Case Studies: Mercury  Vaporized elemental Mercury  Fish contaminated with methylmercury  Natural inputs  Emission control  Prevention of contamination

Case Studies: Dioxins  Potentially highly toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons  Waste incineration  Fireplaces  Coal-fired power plants  Paper production Sources of Dioxins  Sewage sludge

Section 9: Hazardous Waste Regulation in the U.S. What is RCRA? What is Superfund?

Hazardous Waste Regulation in the United States  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)  National Priority List  Polluter-pays principle

RCRA 1976 Passed By Congress: amended )ID Hazardous Waste and set standards 2)Companies that deal with Haz. Waste over 220 lbs. must get permits 3)Cradle to Grave tracking and submit proof to EPA 1976 Passed By Congress: amended )ID Hazardous Waste and set standards 2)Companies that deal with Haz. Waste over 220 lbs. must get permits 3)Cradle to Grave tracking and submit proof to EPA

CERCLA Commonly called Superfund Passed in 1980 (NJ Congressman leaders) Established tax on on chemicals to 1) ID abandoned dumps sites 2) Clean up groundwater 3) Establish NPL list for cleanups Commonly called Superfund Passed in 1980 (NJ Congressman leaders) Established tax on on chemicals to 1) ID abandoned dumps sites 2) Clean up groundwater 3) Establish NPL list for cleanups

releases/land/

CERCLA Responsible parties must pay If no party can be found clean ups down using $ from tax on oil and chemical companies (tax expired 1995) 1,250 NPL sites…113 in NJ About 72% clean up underway avg. $20 million per site Responsible parties must pay If no party can be found clean ups down using $ from tax on oil and chemical companies (tax expired 1995) 1,250 NPL sites…113 in NJ About 72% clean up underway avg. $20 million per site

CERCLA Some estimates 10,000 sites could cost $1 trillion…pollution prevention cheaper? Toxic Release Inventory Some estimates 10,000 sites could cost $1 trillion…pollution prevention cheaper? Toxic Release Inventory

Polluter Pays Principle Who should pay for cleanup when responsible parties can not be found? Currently tax payers 1 in 4 Americans live within 4 miles of Superfund NPL site

Solutions: Achieving a Low-Waste Society  Local grassroots action  International ban on 12 persistent organic pollutants (the dirty dozen) POPs Treaty  Precautionary Principle