1. Solid Waste Management and Disposal

2. 17.1 Kinds of Solid Waste
Solid waste is generally made of objects or particles that accumulate on the site where they are produced.
They are typically categorized by the sector of the economy responsible for producing them.

3. 17.1 Kinds of Solid Waste Mining wastes: Agricultural waste:
Waste material is left on the surface
Agricultural waste:
Includes waste from raising animals as well as crop and tree harvesting.
90% is used as fertilizer or other forms of soil enhancement.
Industrial solid waste:
Demolition waste, sludge, combustion ash, etc.
Municipal solid waste- all the materials people in a region no longer want.
210 million metric tons annually.

4. 17.2 Municipal Solid Waste
The United States produces about 210 million metric tons of municipal solid waste annually.
This equates to 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of trash per person per day.
Per capita waste has increased 70% since 1960.

5. 17.2 Municipal Solid Waste
Municipal solid waste generation rates

6. 17.2 Municipal Solid Waste
Waste generation and lifestyle

7. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
In the past, the favored means of waste disposal was to dump solid wastes outside of city or village limits.
To minimize the volume of waste, the dump was often burned.
This practice is still employed in remote or sparsely populated areas in the world.

8. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
Five techniques are now used in waste disposal:
Landfills
Incineration
Source reduction
Composting
Recycling

9. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
Landfills
A landfill is typically constructed above an impermeable clay layer, lined with an impermeable membrane.
It includes mechanisms for dealing with liquid and gas materials generated by the contents of the landfill.
Traditionally this has been the primary method of waste disposal.
Cheap and convenient
Substantial efforts are being made to reduce the amount of waste entering landfills.

10. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
New landfills have complex bottom layers to trap contaminant-laden leachate.
Monitoring systems are necessary to detect methane gas production and groundwater contamination.
In some cases, methane is collected and used to generate electricity.
New landfills currently cost up to $1 million per hectare to prepare.

11. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
A well-designed modern landfill

13. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
The number of landfills is declining.
Many small landfills that were not meeting regulations have been closed.
Capacity has been reached.
New landfills often resisted due to public concerns over groundwater contamination, odors, rodents, and truck traffic.

14. 17.3 Methods of Waste Disposal
Reducing the number of landfills