Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byAshley Katrina Hubbard Modified over 9 years ago
1
Chapter 21: Solid and Hazardous Waste Aaron Gewecke, Will Gibson, Naba Zamir, Nick Beyer
2
21-1: Wasting Resources The US produces 33% of the world’s solid waste Solid waste: any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or a gas 98.5% comes as a result of mining, oil and natural gas production, agriculture, sewage sludge, and industrial activities Remaining 1.5% is municipal solid waste (MSW) from homes or urban areas
3
21-2 Producing Less Waste and Air Pollution 2 ways to deal with waste - Economic Approach: Burying, burning, shipping it off to be stored - Waste and Pollution Prevention Method: not using the resources in the first place and views waste as resources that should be recycled/reused
4
21-1 Wasting Resources Hazardous Wastes: Possible classifications Contain toxic, carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens. Ex: pesticides Catches fire easily. Ex: gasoline, paints Too reactive; could explode or release fumes. Ex: ammonia Can corrode metals. Ex: drain cleaners 95% of our hazardous waste is not regulated because of this definition
5
21-2 Producing Less Waste and Air Pollution Ways to reduce waste: consume less redesign manufacturing processes to use less energy, waste, and pollution Develop products easy to reuse Design products to last longer Eliminate and reduce packaging Economic incentives like trash taxes
6
21-3 Solutions: Cleaner Production and Selling Services Instead of Things Eco industrial Revolution Achieve industrial, economic, and environmental sustainability Bring about cleaner production/industrial ecology Industrial manufacturing process would be: Closed systems Cyclical flow Waste become raw material Biomimicry - Mimic nature and interact in resource exchange webs
7
21-3 Continued Economic benefits of biomimicry: Reduce cost of controlling pollution Improve health and safety of workers Reduce legal liability Stimulate companies to produce environmentally friendly chemicals (subsidies, tax breaks, etc.) Example: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M)
8
21-3 Cont. Service Flow Economy Lease/rent services the goods provide instead of purchasing Yields profit: Minimum material use Lasts long Easy to maintain Recyclable
9
21-4 Reuse Benefits: Extends resource supplies, reduces energy waste, creates jobs, saves money (for companies) Problems: Disposable plates, napkins, and tissues have taken the place of reusable items in today’s society Examples of reusable items: Lunch boxes, cloth shopping bags, recyclable pallets
10
21-5 Recycling Two types of recycling: Primary, or closed-loop recycling Secondary, or downcycling Recycling on Solid Waste Source separation approach Little air/water pollution Low startup costs/moderate operating costs Save energy More jobs Cleaner and valuable recycleables Educate public
11
21-6 Recycling Paper and Plastics Recycling instead of making new paper Saves money, energy, reduces air/water pollution Plastics are much harder to recycle Occur in many different types Often are made of composites of plastics Contain chemicals that must be removed before recycling
12
21-7: Detoxifying, Burning, Burying, and Exporting Chemical Wastes Detoxifying Waste: involves injecting waste with cyclodextrin to remove toxins Plasma detoxification is another option Includes decomposing organic material into ions and atoms
13
21-7: Detoxifying, Burning, Burying, and Exporting Chemical Wastes Burning Waste High cost Air pollution Beginning to be outlawed
14
21-7: Detoxifying, Burning, Burying, and Exporting Chemical Wastes Sanitary Landfill Spread out in thin layers Compacted Covered with layer of clay To deal with leachate (leakage) Any leakage pumped into the bottom of the landfill Stored in tanks Sent into regular sewage Other Greener Ideas Apply green water to landfills
15
Exporting Waste Canada recycles 89% of the U.S.’s exported waste Basel Convention on Hazardous Waste Requires consent from the recipient nation before waste is shipped there
16
Disposal of Liquid Waste Disposal of Waste Deep underground wells surface impoundments Above ground storage facilities Built and reinforced to insure no damage is caused by storms Fans/filters to prevent release of toxic gases
17
21-8: Lead, Mercury, Chlorine, and Dioxins Threat from lead: Nervous system impairment Lowered IQ (4-7 points) Shortened attention span Hyperactivity Hearing damage Behavioral disorders Threat from mercury: Neurotoxin – harm brain and spinal cord Exposed to mercury in two ways: Inhaling Eating contaminated fish Human-based sources of mercury: Coal burning Waste incineration electric arc furnaces
18
21-8: Lead, Mercury, Chlorine, and Dioxins Chlorine: Used in: Plastics (PVC) solvents Paper and pulp bleaching Produces many toxins Dioxins Family of 75 different chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds formed as by-products in chemical reactions involving chlorine and hydrocarbons Sources: Wood-burning fireplaces Coal-fired power plants Metal smeling/refining facilities Wood pulp paper mills Sludge
19
21-9 Hazardous Waste Regulation in the US Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)- EPA must identify hazardous wastes Provides firms that store, treat and dispose of hazardous wastes Superfund Act (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) Cleaning abandoned hazardous sites and affected groundwater Made possible through taxes on raw chemicals
20
21-9 Polluter pays principle EPA must find responsible parties (that polluted an area) and charge them for the cleanup Brownfields Abandoned industrial and commercial sites that are in most cases contaminated 450,000-650,000 sites in the US, attempts are being made to restore or change these sites so they don’t affect groundwater
21
21-10 Achieving A Low Waste Society Living free of pollution is considered a human right POPs treaty Treaty to control 12 persistent organic pollutants (POPS), also called the dirty dozen Precautionary principle Prevention of pollution and waste instead of cleaning it up
Similar presentations
© 2024 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.