1. Environmental Science
Chapter 17
Solid/Hazardous Waste

2. Key Concepts Solid waste Solid waste solutions Reducing solid waste
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste regulations
Hazardous waste solutions

3. Solid Waste Defn: anything discarded in solid form Sources:
Municipal garbage = 1.5%
Industry and Agriculture = 97.5%
Includes: mining, oil and natural gas production, agricultural activities, industrial processes
Fig. 17-2, p. 390

4. Technology Revolution
Average 50-lb computer and 10-in monitor requires:
~530 lbs fossil fuel
~50 lbs chemicals
~3300 lbs water
Problem: technology is advancing so fast that there is the desire/need to rapidly discard old computers for better, faster new ones
Solutions: provide incentives to extend the life of computers, increase ability to upgrade computers, better recycling programs for old computers/parts

5. Technology Revolution
Development of flat screen TVs are making older CRT (cathode-ray tube) TVs obsolete
Problems:
Each CRT TV contains about 4 to 8 pounds of lead, cadmium, mercury and other substances which may leach into groundwater if disposed of in landfills
Few parts can be resold
Recycling costs about $20-30 per set
Solutions:
Donate to charities
Internalize the cost of new TVs to fund recycling programs (ex: California, Maine)

6. Solid Waste Solutions Fig. 17-3, p. 391 1st Priority 2nd Priority
Last Priority
Primary Pollution
and Waste Prevention
Secondary Pollution
and Waste Prevention
Waste Management
• Reduce products
• Repair products
• Recycle
• Compost
• Buy reusable and
recyclable products
• Treat waste to reduce
toxicity
• Incinerate waste
• Bury waste in
landfill
• Release waste into
environment for
dispersal or dilution
• Change industrial
process to eliminate
use of harmful
chemicals
• Purchase different
products
• Use less of a harmful
product
• Reduce packaging
and materials in
• Make products that
last longer and are
recyclable, reusable,
or easy to repair
Fig. 17-3, p. 391

7. Pollution Prevention: Industrial Ecosystem
Sludge
Pharmaceutical plant
Local farmers
Greenhouses
Sludge
Waste heat
Waste heat
Waste heat
Fish farming
Waste heat
Electric Power plant
Oil refinery
Surplus natural gas
Fly ash
Surplus
natural gas
Surplus
sulfur
Waste heat
Waste
Calcium
sulfate
Cement manufacturer
Sulfuric acid
producer
Wallboard factory
Fig. 17-5, p. 393
Area homes

8. Reducing Solid Waste Sustainability six Consume less
Redesign manufacturing processes
Produce less waste and pollution
Repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost, and recycle
Design products to last longer
Eliminate, reuse, recycle, or reduce packaging

9. What Can You Do? What Can You Do? Solid Waste Fig. 17-4, p. 391
Follow the four R's of resource use: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Ask yourself whether you really need a particular item.
Rent, borrow, or barter goods and services when you can.
Buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and be sure to reuse, recycle, and compost them.
Do not use throwaway paper and plastic plates, cups, and eating utensils, and other disposable items when reusable or refillable versions are available.
Use in place of conventional paper mail.
Read newspapers and magazines online.
Buy products in concentrated form whenever possible.
Fig. 17-4, p. 391

10. Hazardous Waste
Main sources of hazardous wastes are mining and electric power plants
Legal definition:
Any solid or liquid that:
Contains one or more of the 39 toxic compounds above established levels;
Catches fire easily;
Is reactive or unstable; or
Is capable of eroding metal containers
Yet, this does not include such items as radioactive wastes, mining wastes or wastes from small businesses

11. Harmful Chemicals in Your Home
What Harmful Chemicals Are In Your Home?
Cleaning
• Disinfectants
• Drain, toilet, and
window cleaners
• Spot removers
• Septic tank cleaners
Paint
• Latex and oil-based paints
• Paint thinners, solvents,
and strippers
• Stains, varnishes,
and lacquers
• Wood preservatives
• Artist paints and inks
General
• Dry-cell batteries
(mercury and cadmium)
• Glues and cements
Gardening
• Pesticides
• Weed killers
• Ant and rodent killers
• Flea powders
Automotive
• Gasoline
• Used motor oil
• Antifreeze
• Battery acid
• Solvents
• Brake and transmission
fluid
• Rust inhibitor and
rust remover
Fig , p. 402

12. Hazardous Waste Regulation
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
EPA identified and set standards for management of hazardous waste
Companies that store, treat or dispose of more than 220 pounds of hazardous wastes per month must be permitted
Companies must record all information about wastes from where it was produced to where it was disposed
Superfund Act of 1980
Identifies old hazardous waste dump sites or leaking underground tanks
Cleans up those sites and affected groundwater
Attempts to locate responsible parties to pay for the clean-up
For a list of sites by county in Florida:

13. Hazardous Waste Solutions
Bioremediation
Phytoremediation
Incineration
Deep-well disposal
Surface impoundments
Secure landfills
Aboveground buildings
Prevention is better than disposal or cleanup

14. What Can You Do? What Can You Do? Hazardous Waste Fig. 17-20, p. 406
Use pesticides in the smallest amount possible.
Use less harmful substances instead of commercial chemicals for most household cleaners. For example, use liquid ammonia to clean appliances and windows; vinegar to polish metals, clean surfaces, and remove stains and mildew; baking soda to clean household utensils, deodorize, and remove stains; borax to remove stains and mildew.
Do not dispose of pesticides, paints, solvents, oil, antifreeze, or other products containing hazardous chemicals by flushing them down the toilet, pouring them down the drain, burying them, throwing them into the garbage, or dumping them down storm drains.
Fig , p. 406

15. Let’s Compare Counties…
Osceola
Orange
Tons of Garbage*
233,470
1,216,502
Recycling Rate*
16%
30%
Single-family Curbside Recycling* 2%
90%
Commercial Recycling* 0%
Number of Superfund Sites 3
*Latest figures from 2001
Florida DEP website

16. Any Questions?