The Myth of Garbage II: Should we throw everything away? HW & HHW ENS102 April 10, 2006

Reviewing Garbage Garbage is material that is no longer deemed useable by humans – us as individuals. Technically we might better define garbage as Solid Waste - the totality of all materials thrown away from homes and commercial establishments and usually collected by some process for "disposal" MSW Industrial Waste Hazardous Waste industrial HHW

Growth in relation to population

Where is Away?

Where is Away?

Where is away? Prior to 1975 = open dumps SLF's and ocean dumping Incineration the dawn of recycling 1991 EPA ruling 1/2 of all 6000 US SLFs closed by 1995 –no wetland slfs –must monitor surface and ground water effluents –must install liners and leachate collection systems –must monitor for 30 years after closing

Where is away?

Landfills –MN 2008 termination date for putting unprocessed waste into landfills –so what's next

Where is away? Landfills –MN 2008 termination date for putting unprocessed waste into landfills –so what's next

Where is away? Resource Recovery –RDF –Minnesota's waste-to-energy plants produce enough energy to heat over 90,000 homes each day. Minnesota's resource recovery plants have conserved over 39 million cubic yards of landfill space.

Where is away? Resource Recovery –Curbside Recycling Recycling in Minnesota has created new industries and economic development, creating more than 8,000 direct jobs in recycled products manufacturing alone. Meeting the goal of landfilling no unprocessed waste by 2008 will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by 340,000 tons, save 1,000 acres from being developed as landfill, and substantially reduce Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions.

Where is away? Resource Recovery –Single Sort –Star Trib ArticleStar Trib Article –single stream articlesingle stream article –MN Comparison studyMN Comparison study images/singel_sort_how_to.pdf

Where is away? Resource Recovery –Single Sort –Bethel Walters makes recycling easy with Single Sort. You simply place all your recyclable items loosely together (please do not bag these items) in your designated recycling cart. Place all items together in your Single Sort recycling cart: Metal cans Clean glass bottles and jars (no ceramics, window or mirror glass) Plastic bottles with a neck Paper - news, office, junk mail, magazines Cardboard - please flatten, bundle and tie together** Sorry we can not accept pizza boxes or beverage cartons. **

Where is away? Composting

Where is away? Reuse

Where is away? Reduce Life cycle analysis Cradle to grave

Where is away? HHW Proper Disposal

Where is away? e-waste

Amounts of Chemicals Entering the Environment For 2001:  1,679 million pounds of toxic chemicals released to the air  221 million pounds of toxic chemicals released to the water  4,258 million pounds of toxic chemicals released at land disposal sites  Total environmental release = 6,158 million pounds

Fate of Chemicals Entering the Environment Many are broken down by natural processes Two types persist in the environment  Heavy metals –Lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, tin, chromium, zinc, copper –Used in metalworking, paint, and pesticides, among other products –Soluble in water and readily absorbed by body –Interfere with enzyme function –Example: mental retardation from mercury poisoning - Minamata Disease –Fish in MN - mercury and PCBs  Synthetic organics –Chemical basis for plastics, synthetic fibers and rubber, solvents, and pesticides –Halogenated hydrocarbons At least one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced with a halogen atom –Chlorine (most common) –Bromine –Fluorine –IodineResistant to biodegradation –Major health effects: carcinogenic and mutagenic

Preventing Chemicals from Entering the Environment Disposal Shallow - Times Beach, MO - waste oil to control road dustTimes Beach, [EPA press release - February 22, 1983] In a joint federal-state action, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the State of Missouri announced today that resources have been allocated for the permanent relocation of residents of Times Beach, Missouri. The action was necessary after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) completed analysis of extensive soil sampling in the area and advised that the hazard posed by dioxin contamination is a continuing threat to the health of citizens in the community. Love Canal Niagra Falls, NY (Hooker Chemical Co.) school site Love Canal

Preventing Chemicals from Entering the Environment Disposal Deep Injection Landfills Midnight dumping

Preventing Chemicals from Entering the Environment Treatment Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA ) permitted disposal process convert wastes to stable non-leachable forms OSHA1970 Worker's right to know MSDS requirements Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA Superfund Act

Preventing Chemicals from Entering the Environment Recycling Incineration Prevention  3M  News Release from: 3M dited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial Team on 5 April 2006Clean products safely without CMR problems  3P program (Pollution Prevention Pays)  Sustaining Our Future: M's Progress toward Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability 3M believes that active and responsible citizenship can make a successful company even stronger. We vigorously affirm our commitment to sustainable development through environmental protection, social responsibility and economic progress. We are committed to help meet the needs of society today while respecting the ability of future generations to meet their needs. That is what we mean by sustainability.

Preventing Chemicals from Entering the Environment Responsible consumers Responsible users Responsible disposers What Can I Use Instead Ann Bailey What Can I Use Instead Other resources:

Upcoming April 12 Wednesday Exam day (no class?)- Must complete by Wednesday April 19 at 9:00. ThursdayApril 13 Lab Project 2 Presentations at 8:30 and 11:30