1. Chapter 16 Waste Generation and Waste Disposal

2. Paper or Plastic? Polystyrene – plastic polymer with high insulation value Aka – styrofoam Is harmful to environment In response to public sentiment Switch to paper cup… but is this really better? Use cradle-to-grave or life-cycle analysis:

3. Humans generate waste that other organisms cannot use… Inputs – plant materials, nutrients, water, energy Outputs – waste Anything not useful or consumed and nonuseful products

4. Municipal Solid Waste We live in a throw-away society Planned obsolescence Municipal solid waste - refuse collected by municipalities from households, small businesses, and institutions such as schools, prisons, municipal buildings and hospitals Varies Some stats:

5. Content of the Solid Waste Stream Waste stream – the flow of solid waste that is recycled, incinerated, placed in a solid waste landfill, or disposed of in another way

6. Composition of Municipal Solid Waste… another analysis 31% - paper 33%- organic materials (yard waste, food scraps, wood) 12%- plastic 18%- durable goods (appliances, tires)

7. E-Waste Electronic waste (E-waste) - televisions, computers, cell phones that contain toxic metals Great environmental effect Little incentive to recycle Voluntary? Concern US exports e-waste to China

8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Reduce- waste minimization or prevention Source reduction Other benefits: Packaging is concern Substitution Reuse May involve repairing an existing object Agents of reuse Recycle- next slide

9. The 3rd R Closed loop recycling vs. open-loop In US - increased since 1975 Zero-sort recycling programs Benefits… Requires more energy Goal of Recycling?

11. Composting Organic material (ie. food and yard waste) cause problems in landfills Compost Compostable material includes… Meat/dairy usually not composted Composting tips: Simple vs. sophisticated C:N ratio of 30:1 Turn over compost regularly

13. Landfills Open dumps – still common in developing world Sanitary landfills Leachate

14. Sanitary Landfill

15. Sanitary Landfills Costs: Building landfill is very expensive Tipping fee Choosing a site for sanitary landfill: Some requirements: Siting is often controversial and can be politically charged Some problems with landfills:

16. Incineration Ash – residual nonorganic material that does not combust during incineration Bottom ash Fly ash Pollutants released included

17. How does incineration work?

18. Incineration Waste-to-energy – when heat generated by incineration is used rather than released in the atmosphere

19. Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste- liquid, solid, gaseous, or sludge waste material that is harmful to humans or ecosystems Collection sites Periodic collection held Once collected - sorted into a number of categories Hazardous waste must be treated

20. Laws Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - designed to protect human health and the natural environment by reducing or eliminating hazardous waste Also know as “cradle-to-grave” tracking RCRA ensures that hazardous waste is tracked and properly disposed of 1984 – Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA)

21. Laws Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Also know as “Superfund” Puts a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries This revenue is used to cleanup … Requires the federal government to respond directly to the release of substance that may pose a threat to human health or the environment Problems:

22. Superfund Sites in US

23. Brownfields Contaminated industrial or commercial sites that may require environmental cleanup before they can be redeveloped or expanded Includes… Critics: inadequate solution to contaminated locations in country

24. International Consequences Municipalities and industries may send waste to countries with less stringent regulations Examples: Tugboat Break of Dawn (from NY in 1987) Khian Sea (a Bahamian ship hired by Philly in 1986) Mercury from India to PA

25. Life Cycle Analysis Looks at the materials used and released throughout the lifetime of a product Life Cycle Analysis

26. Alternative Ways to Handle Waste Integrated Waste Management A method that seeks to develop as many options as possible, to reduce environmental harm and cost Utilizes reduction, recycling, composting, landfills, and incineration No single method works for everyone