1. WASTE DISPOSAL

2. GET THE FACTS: The US, with 5% of the world’s population, generates 33% of the world’s total waste. The US, with 5% of the world’s population, generates 33% of the world’s total waste. The major source of solid waste in the US comes from mining. The major source of solid waste in the US comes from mining. The largest type of domestic solid waste in the US is paper. The largest type of domestic solid waste in the US is paper.

3. Nearly everything we do leaves behind some kind of waste. In fact, in 2006, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 251 million tons of municipal solid waste, which is approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day. Nearly everything we do leaves behind some kind of waste. In fact, in 2006, U.S. residents, businesses, and institutions produced more than 251 million tons of municipal solid waste, which is approximately 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day.

4. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)—more commonly known as trash or garbage— consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. This comes from our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)—more commonly known as trash or garbage— consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries. This comes from our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

5. Municipal Solid Waste Generation In 2009, Americans produced about 243 million tons of MSW, or about 4.5 pounds of waste per person per day.

6. All Wastes Are Not Equal Biodegradable Material- material that can be broken down by living things into simpler chemicals that can be consumed by living things. Examples: newspapers, paper bags, cotton fibers, leather Nonbiodegradable Material- material made from synthetic materials that do not exist in nature. Examples: polyester, nylon, and plastic.

7. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18538484/ns/nightly_n ews/t/paper-or-plastic-whats-greener-choice/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD07Gkm M2fc http://www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moor e_on_the_seas_of_plastic.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18538484/ns/nightly_n ews/t/paper-or-plastic-whats-greener-choice/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD07Gkm M2fc http://www.ted.com/talks/capt_charles_moor e_on_the_seas_of_plastic.html

8. How is waste disposed? 1. landfills - engineered areas where waste is placed into the land. Landfills usually have liner systems and other safeguards to prevent polluting the groundwater.

9. Pros and Cons of Landfills Pros Waste is covered each day with dirt to help prevent insects and rodents. Waste is covered each day with dirt to help prevent insects and rodents. Liners and drainage systems control leaching Liners and drainage systems control leaching Collection of methane can produce energy Collection of methane can produce energy Cons Rising land prices Rising land prices Transportation costs to the landfill Transportation costs to the landfill Expensive to run and monitor Expensive to run and monitor Suitable areas are limited. Suitable areas are limited. NIMBY (not in my backyard!) NIMBY (not in my backyard!) Undesirable emissions into the air Undesirable emissions into the air Possible leaching into ground and water table. Possible leaching into ground and water table.

10. Burying rubbish is not possible at Virginia Beach as it sits on a water table just 6-8 feet below the ground. A plan to convert the open trench into a mountain of trash and create a recreational park was devised. Burying rubbish is not possible at Virginia Beach as it sits on a water table just 6-8 feet below the ground. A plan to convert the open trench into a mountain of trash and create a recreational park was devised.

11. Mt Trashmore, Virginia Beach, VA

12. 2. Open Dumping Pros Inexpensive Inexpensive Provides a source of income to the poor by providing recyclable products to sell Provides a source of income to the poor by providing recyclable products to sell Cons Trash blows away in the wind Trash blows away in the wind Vermin and disease Vermin and disease Leaching of toxic materials into the soil Leaching of toxic materials into the soil aesthetics aesthetics

13. 3. Burning Pros Heat can be used to provide energy Heat can be used to provide energy Reduces impact on landfills Reduces impact on landfills Mass burning is inexpensive Mass burning is inexpensive What is left is 10-20% of the original volume What is left is 10-20% of the original volume Burning waste at extremely high temperatures destroys chemical compounds and disease- causing bacteria Cons Air pollution including lead, mercury, Nox, cadmium, SO2, HCl and dioxide Air pollution including lead, mercury, Nox, cadmium, SO2, HCl and dioxide Sorting out batteries, plastics, etc. is expensive Sorting out batteries, plastics, etc. is expensive Initial costs of incinerators are high Initial costs of incinerators are high No way of knowing toxic consequences No way of knowing toxic consequences

14. In addition to burning solid waste to generate electricity, we can recapture the energy buried in landfills. Methane gas is created as garbage decomposes. Burning methane from landfills is a three-fer: In addition to burning solid waste to generate electricity, we can recapture the energy buried in landfills. Methane gas is created as garbage decomposes. Burning methane from landfills is a three-fer: –it eliminates a bubble of gas that could crack the clay cap that seals the top of the landfill (the cap keeps rainwater from mixing with the decaying solid waste and creating more "garbage juice" that could pollute creeks) –it converts a gas that has strong global warming characteristics (methane) into a gas that has less impact (carbon dioxide) –it generates "green" electricity that can be sold for a profit

15. How can we help reduce all the refuse? Source reduction Source reduction Recycle Recycle compost compost

16. EPA encourages practices that reduce the amount of waste needing to be disposed of, such as waste prevention, recycling, and composting. EPA encourages practices that reduce the amount of waste needing to be disposed of, such as waste prevention, recycling, and composting. Source reduction, or waste prevention, is designing products to reduce the amount of waste that will later need to be thrown away and also to Source reduction, or waste prevention, is designing products to reduce the amount of waste that will later need to be thrown away and also to Source reduction Source reduction make the resulting waste less toxic.

17. Recycling - the recovery of useful materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, Recycling - the recovery of useful materials, such as paper, glass, plastic, and metals, from the trash to use to and metals, from the trash to use to make new products, reducing the amount of new raw materials needed. make new products, reducing the amount of new raw materials needed.

18. Recycling Pros Turns waste into an inexpensive resource Turns waste into an inexpensive resource Reduces impact on landfills Reduces impact on landfills Reduces dependence on foreign oil Reduces dependence on foreign oil Reduces air and water pollution Reduces air and water pollution Reduces need for raw material and the costs associated with it. Reduces need for raw material and the costs associated with it. Cons Poor regulation Poor regulation Fluctuations in market price Fluctuations in market price Not all products can really be recycled because stations can recycle all products Not all products can really be recycled because stations can recycle all products

19. Composting - collecting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, and storing it under conditions designed to help it break down naturally. This resulting compost can then be used as a natural Composting - collecting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, and storing it under conditions designed to help it break down naturally. This resulting compost can then be used as a naturalfertilizer.

20. Composting Composting Pros Creates nutrient-rich soil additive Creates nutrient-rich soil additive Aids in water retention Aids in water retention Slows down soil erosion Slows down soil erosion No major toxic issues No major toxic issues Cons Public reaction to odor, vermin and insects Public reaction to odor, vermin and insects NIMBY NIMBY

21. Currently, in the United States, 33.8 % of SMW is recovered and recycled or composted, 11.9% is burned at combustion facilities, and the remaining 54.3% is disposed of in landfills. Currently, in the United States, 33.8 % of SMW is recovered and recycled or composted, 11.9% is burned at combustion facilities, and the remaining 54.3% is disposed of in landfills.

22. Hazardous Wastes Wastes that are toxic or highly corrosive or that explode easily. Wastes that are toxic or highly corrosive or that explode easily. They may be solids, liquids, or gases They may be solids, liquids, or gases Examples are dyes, solvents, PCB, toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), pesticides, radioactive wastes Examples are dyes, solvents, PCB, toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium), pesticides, radioactive wastes

23. Hazardous Wastes Over 40 million tons of hazardous waste are produced in the United States each year. Over 40 million tons of hazardous waste are produced in the United States each year. They are produced by large industrial facilities such as chemical manufacturers, electroplating companies, petroleum refineries, and by more common businesses such as dry cleaners, auto repair shops, hospitals, exterminators and photo processing centers. They are produced by large industrial facilities such as chemical manufacturers, electroplating companies, petroleum refineries, and by more common businesses such as dry cleaners, auto repair shops, hospitals, exterminators and photo processing centers.

24. Love Canal In 1920 Hooker Chemical had turned an area in Niagara Falls into a municipal and chemical disposal site. In 1953 the site was filled and relatively modern methods were applied to cover it. A thick layer of impermeable red clay sealed the dump, preventing chemicals from leaking out of the landfill. A city near the dumpsite wanted to buy it for urban expansion. Despite the warnings of Hooker, the city eventually bought the site for 1 dollar. Hooker could not sell for more, because they did not want to earn money off a project so clearly unwise. The city began to dig to develop a sewer, damaging the red clay cap that covered the dumpsite below. Blocks of homes and a school were built and the neighborhood was named Love Canal. In 1920 Hooker Chemical had turned an area in Niagara Falls into a municipal and chemical disposal site. In 1953 the site was filled and relatively modern methods were applied to cover it. A thick layer of impermeable red clay sealed the dump, preventing chemicals from leaking out of the landfill. A city near the dumpsite wanted to buy it for urban expansion. Despite the warnings of Hooker, the city eventually bought the site for 1 dollar. Hooker could not sell for more, because they did not want to earn money off a project so clearly unwise. The city began to dig to develop a sewer, damaging the red clay cap that covered the dumpsite below. Blocks of homes and a school were built and the neighborhood was named Love Canal.

25. Love Canal seemed like a regular neighborhood. The only thing that distinguished this neighborhood from others was the strange odors that often hung in the air and an unusual seepage noticed by inhabitants in their basements and yards. Love Canal seemed like a regular neighborhood. The only thing that distinguished this neighborhood from others was the strange odors that often hung in the air and an unusual seepage noticed by inhabitants in their basements and yards. Children in the neighborhood often fell ill. Love Canal families regularly experienced miscarriages and birth defects.

26. When Love Canal was researched, over 130 pounds of the highly toxic carcinogenic TCDD, a form of dioxin, was discovered. The total of 20,000 tons of When Love Canal was researched, over 130 pounds of the highly toxic carcinogenic TCDD, a form of dioxin, was discovered. The total of 20,000 tons of waste present in the landfill appeared to contain more appeared to contain more than 248 different species than 248 different species of chemicals. The waste mainly consisted of pesticide residues and chemical weapons research refuse.

27. The chemicals had entered homes, sewers, yards and creeks and Gibbs decided it was time for the more than 900 families to be moved away from the location. Eventually President Carter provided funds to move all the families to a safer area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_-b7ZAWyM The chemicals had entered homes, sewers, yards and creeks and Gibbs decided it was time for the more than 900 families to be moved away from the location. Eventually President Carter provided funds to move all the families to a safer area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_-b7ZAWyM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ_-b7ZAWyM

28. Love Canal helped to get the Superfund Program established Superfund protects the public and the environment by cleaning up the nation’s worst hazardous waste sites. Superfund protects the public and the environment by cleaning up the nation’s worst hazardous waste sites. The Superfund program responds to abandoned and active hazardous waste sites, and accidental oil and chemical releases. The Superfund program responds to abandoned and active hazardous waste sites, and accidental oil and chemical releases.

29. How to manage hazardous waste Produces less Produces less Resuse Resuse Convert into nonhazardous substance Convert into nonhazardous substance Incinerate Incinerate Land disposal (deep-well injection) Land disposal (deep-well injection)

30. Hazardous Wastes in Your Homes House paint –buy in small quantities House paint –buy in small quantities pesticides – reduce the use pesticides – reduce the use batteries – look for recycling programs batteries – look for recycling programs motor oil – take it to a service station motor oil – take it to a service station

31. E-waste Electronic waste such as computers, cell phones and iPods Electronic waste such as computers, cell phones and iPods It is the fastest growing solid waste problem It is the fastest growing solid waste problem