Solid Wastes.

Solid Wastes

What is Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) ?
Solid Wastes What is Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) ? The trash and garbage that comes out of our homes and businesses everyday

How much solid waste do we generate ?
Solid Wastes How much solid waste do we generate ? The average American generates approximately 4 lbs of solid waste per day

How much solid waste do we generate ?
Solid Wastes How much solid waste do we generate ? The average American generates approximately 1500 lbs of solid waste per year

America generates more solid wastes than other industrial countries

What is in our solid wastes ?
What is the composition of MSW ?

Paper is the single largest category of material in MSW
Solid Wastes Paper is the single largest category of material in MSW

Solid Wastes How do we dispose of MSW ? Landfill Incineration Recycle

Solid Wastes How do we dispose of MSW ? Landfill Incineration Recycle
-- bury it Incineration -- burn it Recycle -- reuse it

Solid Wastes How do we dispose of MSW ?

~ 60 % Incineration ~ 15 % Recycle ~ 25 %

How do we dispose of MSW in Missouri?
Solid Wastes How do we dispose of MSW in Missouri?

We are going to bury ourselves in trash
Solid Wastes Landfill Myths We are going to bury ourselves in trash

We are running out of space for our trash
Solid Wastes Landfill Myths We are running out of space for our trash

Most landfills have closed because they have filled up with trash
Solid Wastes Landfill Myths Most landfills have closed because they have filled up with trash

Solid Wastes Landfills
The primary threat of landfills to the environment and human health is leachate

Solid Wastes Landfills What is leachate ?
A toxic liquid soup that forms in landfills as water mixes with chemicals in the wastes

Solid Wastes Landfills How is leachate a threat ?
Leachate can leak from landfills causing toxic contamination of ground and surface water

the toxic chemicals can harm aquatic ecosystems
Solid Wastes Landfills How is leachate a threat ? the toxic chemicals can harm aquatic ecosystems

toxic chemical contamination of drinking water can harm human health
Solid Wastes Landfills How is leachate a threat ? toxic chemical contamination of drinking water can harm human health

Subtitle D of RCRA deals with solid wastes, including landfills

New Subtitle D standards for landfills went into effect in 1994
Solid Wastes Landfills New Subtitle D standards for landfills went into effect in 1994

Solid Wastes Landfills Design Requirements
Subtitle D design requirements are intended to reduce the threat of leachate

Solid Wastes Landfills Design Requirements bottom liner
leachate collection leachate treatment

Solid Wastes Landfills Design Requirements methane vents
monitoring wells cover liner

a waterproof barrier between the trash and the soil
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills bottom liner a waterproof barrier between the trash and the soil

may be made of compacted clay or a special geotextile
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills bottom liner may be made of compacted clay or a special geotextile

purpose is to keep leachate from leaking out of the landfill
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills bottom liner purpose is to keep leachate from leaking out of the landfill

a grid of perforated pipes above the liner and below the trash
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills leachate collection a grid of perforated pipes above the liner and below the trash

any leachate formed flows into the pipes and is pumped to the surface
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills leachate collection any leachate formed flows into the pipes and is pumped to the surface

Solid Wastes Landfills Design Requirements leachate treatment
leachate pumped to the surface is treated to remove or destroy the toxic chemicals

methane is a flammable and explosive gas formed in landfills from anaerobic decomposition

vents prevent methane build up in the landfill or escape from the landfill into nearby structures

landfills can capture the methane and burn it as an energy source
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills methane vents landfills can capture the methane and burn it as an energy source

the landfill must be completely surrounded by monitoring wells
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills monitoring wells the landfill must be completely surrounded by monitoring wells

monitoring wells Landfills

the purpose is to detect leachate leaking out of the landfill
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills monitoring wells the purpose is to detect leachate leaking out of the landfill

Solid Wastes Landfills Design Requirements cover liner
upon closure of the landfill, the wastes musts be covered with a waterproof clay cap

the clay cap is to keep water out and minimize leachate formation
Solid Wastes Design Requirements Landfills cover liner the clay cap is to keep water out and minimize leachate formation

Materials in a landfill decompose like in a compost heap
Landfill Myth Materials in a landfill decompose like in a compost heap Actually, a modern landfill is more like an air-tight, water-tight tomb for our trash

What are the pros and cons of landfills for management of MSW ?
Solid Wastes Landfills What are the pros and cons of landfills for management of MSW ?

Solid Wastes Landfills -- Pros cheapest way to manage MSW
low labor costs well established infrastructure improved design requirements

only leave the problems for future generations to deal with
Solid Wastes Landfills -- Cons do not solve waste problems, only leave the problems for future generations to deal with

Solid Wastes Landfills -- Cons create few jobs
use large tracts of land N.I.M.B.Y

all landfills will eventually leak leading to environmental pollution
Solid Wastes Landfills -- Cons all landfills will eventually leak leading to environmental pollution

encourage a “throw away” society
Solid Wastes Landfills -- Cons encourage a “throw away” society waste of natural resources

not consistent with a sustainable society
Solid Wastes Landfills -- Cons not consistent with a sustainable society

disposes of MSW by combustion in mass burn incinerators
Solid Wastes Incineration disposes of MSW by combustion in mass burn incinerators not present in Missouri

Solid Wastes Incineration

Solid Wastes Incineration
many MSW incinerators use the heat of combustion of wastes to generate electricity wastes-to-energy facilities

Solid Wastes wastes-to-energy

Solid Wastes wastes-to-energy
development encouraged by OPEC oil embargo development also encouraged by PURPA

Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act
Solid Wastes wastes-to-energy Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act Requires utilities to buy electricity from alternative (non-fossil fuel) generators

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s it was predicted that waste-to-energy would become the number one method of MSW disposal in the U.S.

burning reduces MSW weight and volume by 70 % -- 90 %
Solid Wastes Incineration burning reduces MSW weight and volume by 70 % % what is left ? ASH

Solid Wastes Incineration ASH from MSW incinerators
concerns arose about the ash a long court battle ensued

why the concerns arose about the ash ?
Solid Wastes Incineration why the concerns arose about the ash ? toxic chemicals in the ash

Solid Wastes Incineration toxic chemicals in the ash Combustion of MSW
-- destroys some toxic organic chemicals

Solid Wastes Incineration toxic chemicals in the ash Combustion of MSW
-- creates other toxic organic chemicals

-- concentrates toxic inorganic chemicals in the ash
Solid Wastes Incineration toxic chemicals in the ash Combustion of MSW -- concentrates toxic inorganic chemicals in the ash

A long court battle developed over the ash
Solid Wastes Incineration toxic chemicals in the ash A long court battle developed over the ash

The court battle was over how to classify the ash for disposal
Solid Wastes Incineration The court battle was over how to classify the ash for disposal

-- Subtitle D wastes go to a standard landfill
Solid Wastes Incineration Industry argued that the ash was from MSW and should be classified as Subtitle D wastes -- Subtitle D wastes go to a standard landfill

-- Subtitle C wastes go to a special hazardous waste landfill
Solid Wastes Incineration Governments and environmental groups argued that the ash should be classified as Subtitle C wastes because of toxic chemicals -- Subtitle C wastes go to a special hazardous waste landfill

The U.S. Supreme Court finally ruled that the ash from MSW incineration must be tested for toxic chemicals

If found to be high in toxic chemicals, the ash must go to a Subtitle C hazardous waste landfill

What are the pros and cons of incineration for management of MSW ?
Solid Wastes Incineration What are the pros and cons of incineration for management of MSW ?

Solid Wastes Incineration - Pros waste-to-energy electricity
reduces MSW weight & volume less land used for landfills

Solid Wastes Incineration - Pros destroys some toxic chemicals
low labor costs recovery of ferrous metals

Solid Wastes Incineration - Cons toxic chemicals in ash
disposal of toxic ash concerns about air pollution

Solid Wastes Incineration - Cons more expensive than landfills
creates few jobs high costs of construction N.I.M.B.Y

encourage a “throw away” society
Solid Wastes Incineration - Cons competes with recycling encourage a “throw away” society waste of natural resources

not consistent with a sustainable society
Solid Wastes Incineration - Cons not consistent with a sustainable society

Solid Wastes Recycling
Collection of materials from MSW for processing and remanufacture into new products

Much of our MSW can and should be recycled
Solid Wastes Recycling Much of our MSW can and should be recycled

Solid Wastes What recycles ? paper metal glass plastic

Solid Wastes What composts ? yard wastes food wastes

Solid Wastes Recycling =
With relatively little effort on our part, recycling can reduce MSW by one-third = 1500 lbs/yr X 1/3 500 lbs/yr

Solid Wastes Recycling =
With substantial effort, recycling and composting could reduce MSW by more than 80 % = 1500 lbs/yr X 80 % 1200 lbs/yr

Solid Wastes Recycling recycling rates vary by location
in some areas 30 % or more of MSW is being recycled

Solid Wastes Recycling

What are the pros and cons of recycling for management of MSW ?
Solid Wastes Recycling What are the pros and cons of recycling for management of MSW ?

the most expensive method of MSW management
Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons the most expensive method of MSW management -- often costs more than it pays

-- many materials require manual sorting and processing
Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons very labor intensive -- many materials require manual sorting and processing

-- changes in personal habits, storage, transportation, etc.
Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons can be a minor personal hassle -- changes in personal habits, storage, transportation, etc.

Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons
recycling facilities not available everywhere -- often fewer facilities in rural areas

Heavily dependent on market demand
Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons Heavily dependent on market demand -- collected items are valueless unless there is a market for the items

-- for example, mining for metals or cutting trees for paper
Solid Wastes Recycling - Cons may cause loss of some jobs -- for example, mining for metals or cutting trees for paper

creates more jobs than landfills or incinerators
Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros creates more jobs than landfills or incinerators -- even with some job losses, net employment increases

Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros
only very minor behavioral changes required -- drop it in the recycling bin rather than the trash can

-- many people turn in aluminum cans for money
Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros some money can be earned -- many people turn in aluminum cans for money

Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros substantial savings in energy
-- manufacture of goods from recycled materials takes less energy than from virgin materials

Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros substantial reduction in pollution
-- manufacture of goods from recycled materials produces less pollution than from virgin materials

-- precious natural resources are reused rather than buried or burned
Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros conserves natural resources -- precious natural resources are reused rather than buried or burned

consistent with a sustainable society
Solid Wastes Recycling - Pros consistent with a sustainable society

Solid Wastes Recycling
Composting can be thought of the oldest and most natural form of recycling

matter continuously cycles through ecosystems
Matter in Ecosystems ABIOTIC BIOTIC matter continuously cycles through ecosystems

Composting is the managed decomposition of organic wastes
Solid Wastes Composting Composting is the managed decomposition of organic wastes

Solid Wastes What composts ? yard wastes food wastes

Solid Wastes Composting
most food and yard waste can and should be composted composting could reduce MSW by 20-25%

several states, including Missouri, have banned yard wastes from landfills

each compost pile is a small ecosystem with a complex food web
Solid Wastes Composting The biology of composting each compost pile is a small ecosystem with a complex food web

The biology of composting

Trophic Levels in Ecosystems
Fourth Trophic Level tertiary consumers top carnivores secondary consumers Third Trophic Level carnivores Second Trophic Level primary consumers herbivores First Trophic Level producers plants

Tertiary Consumers Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers
centipedes, predatory mites, flatworms Secondary Consumers springtails, some mites, some beetles, nematodes, rotifers Primary Consumers bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, snails, slugs, earthworms, millipedes Organic Residues leaves, grass clippings, other plant debris, food scraps

Organisms of the compost pile need
Composting Organisms of the compost pile need food -- our organic wastes water -- needed by all life air -- O2 for aerobic bacteria and other organisms

Composting GREENS BROWNS Food for compost organisms
in the lingo or jargon of composting, the food (our organic wastes) can be divided into GREENS BROWNS and

Composting GREENS BROWNS Food for compost organisms
-- are rich in nitrogen BROWNS -- are rich in carbon

however, an optimal ratio is not necessary for composting to occur
Food for compost organisms the optimal C:N ratio is 30:1 however, an optimal ratio is not necessary for composting to occur

nitrogen is needed for metabolism and growth
Composting Food for compost organisms GREENS -- are rich in nitrogen nitrogen is needed for metabolism and growth

Composting GREENS Food for compost organisms -- are rich in nitrogen
good sources of nitrogen are green vegetation, vegetable and fruit wastes, manures also see the handout

carbon is needed for energy
Composting Food for compost organisms BROWNS -- are rich in carbon carbon is needed for energy

Composting BROWNS Food for compost organisms -- are rich in carbon
good sources of carbon are dried leaves, dried vegetation, paper, woody materials also see the handout

Composting water for the compost organisms
the optimal moisture is about as damp as a wrung out sponge however, the optimal moisture is not necessary for composting to occur

Composting air for the compost organisms
provides O2 for aerobic organisms O2 allows growth of aerobic bacteria and kills anaerobic bacteria

aerobic bacteria decompose wastes rapidly and without odors anaerobic bacteria decompose wastes slowly and can cause foul odors

the compost can be aerated by periodically turning the pile or by poking holes into the compost pile

Composting compost and temperature
a well working compost pile heats up due to the metabolic activity of compost organisms

the warm temperature encourages the growth of thermophilic bacteria, the fastest decomposers

the pile does not need to be warm for composting to occur, it will just take longer for complete decomposition of the wastes

the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard
Composting The compost pile the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard this is large enough to retain heat, but small enough for aeration to occur

Composting The compost pile
the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard however, an optimal size is not necessary for composting to occur

many food wastes can be composted, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee & filters, tea bags also see the handout

some food wastes should not be composted, including meat, cheese, dairy products, and grease also see the handout

most types of yard wastes can be composted, including leaves, grass clipping, plant trimmings, many weeds also see the handout

highly invasive weeds and treated lumber should not be added to the compost pile also see the handout

Composting Finished Compost
the process is finished when the material looks like dark, rich soil and no longer resembles the original organic wastes

a rich, dark, crumbly humus
Composting Finished Compost a rich, dark, crumbly humus called “black gold” by experienced gardeners

Finished Compost

composting makes a valuable resource out of organic wastes – for free
Finished Compost composting makes a valuable resource out of organic wastes – for free

Composting Finished Compost a wonderful soil amendment
improves soil structure improves water characteristics improves soil nutrients

a slow-release fertilizer without pollution
Composting Finished Compost a wonderful soil amendment a slow-release fertilizer without pollution improves soil fertility improves plant growth and yield

Composting Finished Compost can be used as: a top dressing on lawns
a mulch around trees & shrubs a seed starter a potting soil

If you do everything right and work really hard at it
Composting If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost COMPOST HAPPENS !

If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all
Composting If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all You Get Compost COMPOST HAPPENS !

Composting What’s the difference ? the length of time

If you do everything right and work really hard at it
Composting If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost in 4 – 6 weeks COMPOST HAPPENS !

If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all
Composting If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all You Get Compost in 1 – 2 years COMPOST HAPPENS !

Solid Wastes.

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