1. Solid Wastes
Prior to 1900, most waste disposal involved burying waste in ground
Perception of garbage dumps as breeding grounds for disease  incinerators
Burning garbage common until more stringent emissions standards in 1970’s
Incineration replaced by newer landfills
Recently: Modern incinerators w/emissions controls
Landfills
Decreasing in number
7924 in 1988 vs in 2009
Becoming larger
Total capacity didn’t change between 1988 & 2002
Becoming increasingly full (?)
Possible sources of toxic chemicals leaching into ground water (older landfills especially)
Increasingly difficult to find new sites (NIMBY)

2. Source: EPA

3. Source: EPA

4. Science, Aug

5. Science, Aug

8. Source: EPA

9. Solid Wastes
Alternatives
Source reduction

10. EPA

11. Solid Wastes Alternatives Source reduction Pro: Reduced waste stream
Increased production efficiency ($$)
Energy conservation
Reduced GHG emissions
Con:
Retooling of some infrastructure
Changing of consumer behavior

12. Solid Wastes Alternatives Recycling Reuse sometimes included
Reprocessing of materials
Why recycle?