Environmental Science

This is our independent variable: presence of a liner These items will be studied in relation to our IV: paper, sun chip bag, chip bag, leaf, plastic bag, synthetic and natural fibers, biodegradable plastic What will our dependent variable be? Rate of decomposition Contamination of the surrounding area Amount of leachate (and what’s in it)

Solid Waste Def: Any discarded material that is not gas What letter matches? ____ Hazardous Waste ____ Municipal Solid Waste ____ Manufacturing Waste ____ Mining Waste ____ Agricultural Waste ____ Other

Def: Any discarded material that is not gas What letter matches? ___D_ Hazardous Waste ___E_ Municipal Solid Waste ___A_ Manufacturing Waste ___B_ Mining Waste ___C_ Agricultural Waste ___F_ Other

Biodegradable Waste Def: material that can be broken down by decomposers (Fungus & Bacteria) Which of the following is not biodegradable? a.Newspapers b.Plastic c.Cotton d.Food e.Leather

Non-biodegradable Waste Def: Materials that cannot be degraded by living things within a human lifetime Which one does not belong? a.Nylon b.Cardboard c.Plastic d.Fleece e. Polyester

Total MSW Generation 2005 (before recycling) Can you match the identities? __ Food scraps __ Paper & Paperboard __ Glass __ Yard Trimmings __ Metals

B (11.9) Food scraps C (34.2) Paper & Paperboard D (5.2) Glass A (13.1) Yard Trimmings E (7.6) Metals

How is waste processed on Earth? ____ Recovered, Recycled or Composted ____ Landfills ____ Incinerated

B (28%) R ecovered, Recycled or Composted A (57%) Landfills C (15%) Incinerated

Methane Gas Recovery too 3:00

Reducing environmental impact Groundwater Monitoring Bioreactor landfills – promote aerobic bacteria growth

Incinerators = burning trash 4:16

+ / - for Waste-to-Energy Plants ADVANTAGES Reduces trash volume Used for electricity DISADVANTAGES Air Pollution Greenhouse Gases Ash = more toxic than garbage; must go to haz waste landfill

Options of Hazardous Waste Reduce Reuse Convert Incinerate Land Disposal Export What is the best answer?

Contains toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic compounds Catch fire easily Explosive or release toxic fumes Capable of corroding metal containers

Name 3 household hazardous wastes

Motor OilComputers Mobile phonesPaints PesticidesCleaners FertilizersBatteries

Hazardous Waste Legislation RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act): – Requires producers of hazardous wastes to keep records – Also require liner in landfills – PRODUCERS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE DISPOSAL

Hazardous Waste Legislation CRCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act): – Gives the EPA the right to sue companies for cleanup costs – Establishes a fund to clean up abandoned waste sites = SUPERFUND

Superfund Clickable PA map

Recycling Primary recycling – makes the same product – Examples Secondary recycling – makes a new product – Examples

Steps of Recycling Single stream vs. source separation Recycling facility Clean and shred or crush Reuse to make new products

MRFs materials recovery facility Separates trash from materials that can be recycled Recycles or burns remaining combustible waste Problems: – Expensive – Energy to separate trash – Must have large input of garbage – Toxic pollutants

Source separation Separate trash from recyclables at home or business Advantages: – Little pollution – Moderate operating costs and more jobs – Less energy Problems: – Rely on people to correctly separate – Hard to compete with MRFs

Scrap Recap 2 things you learned about the items Of the 3 R’s which is most important? Use specific examples from the carousel to support your answer.

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