the average american creates about 4.4 lbs of trash per day. there are about 308 million americans....

The average American creates about 4.4 lbs of trash per day. There are about 308 million Americans. That is 1.4 billion lbs per day! Enough to cover 1 million football fields 6 feet deep. Almost 50% of it is recyclable. By the time you are 70 years old, you will have created 56 tons of “trash”.

Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions

What is solid waste and how much do we What is solid waste and how much do we produce?produce?

How can we produce less solid waste?How can we produce less solid waste? What are the advantages and disadvantages of What are the advantages and disadvantages of

reusing recycled materials?reusing recycled materials? What are the advantages and disadvantages of What are the advantages and disadvantages of

burning or burying solid waste?burning or burying solid waste? What is hazardous waste and how can we deal What is hazardous waste and how can we deal

with it?with it?

Chapter Overview Questions Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)(cont’d)

What can we do to reduce exposure to What can we do to reduce exposure to lead and mercury?lead and mercury?

How can we make the transition to a more How can we make the transition to a more sustainable low-waste society?sustainable low-waste society?

WASTING RESOURCESWASTING RESOURCES

Solid wasteSolid waste: any unwanted or discarded : any unwanted or discarded material we produce that is not a liquid or gas.material we produce that is not a liquid or gas. Municipal solid waste (MSW)Municipal solid waste (MSW): produce directly from : produce directly from

homes.homes. Industrial solid wasteIndustrial solid waste: produced indirectly by : produced indirectly by

industries that supply people with goods and services.industries that supply people with goods and services.

Hazardous (toxic) wasteHazardous (toxic) waste: threatens human : threatens human health or the environment because it is toxic, health or the environment because it is toxic, chemically active, corrosive or flammable.chemically active, corrosive or flammable.

Factors Contributing to Factors Contributing to Increasing Amounts of MSWIncreasing Amounts of MSW

Increasing populationsIncreasing populationsChanging lifestylesChanging lifestylesDisposable materials*Disposable materials*Excessive packaging*Excessive packaging*

* = two largest contributors to waste volume

Factors Contributing to Increasing Factors Contributing to Increasing Amounts of MSWAmounts of MSW

Changing LifestylesChanging Lifestyles

Disposal of Municipal Solid-Waste Disposal of Municipal Solid-Waste (MSW)(MSW)

The solid-waste problem:The solid-waste problem:We generate huge amounts of MSW, and it is We generate huge amounts of MSW, and it is

increasingly expensive to dispose of it in ways increasingly expensive to dispose of it in ways that are environmentally responsible and that are environmentally responsible and protective of human health.protective of human health.

MSW ComponentsMSW Components

The Fate of MSWThe Fate of MSW

BURNING AND BURYING SOLID BURNING AND BURYING SOLID WASTEWASTE

Globally, MSW is burned in over 1,000 Globally, MSW is burned in over 1,000 large large waste-to-energy incineratorswaste-to-energy incinerators, , which boil water to make steam for heating which boil water to make steam for heating water, or space, or for production of water, or space, or for production of electricity.electricity.Japan and a few European countries Japan and a few European countries

incinerate most of their MSW.incinerate most of their MSW.

Burning Solid WasteBurning Solid Waste

Waste-to-energy incinerator with pollution Waste-to-energy incinerator with pollution controls that burns mixed solid waste.controls that burns mixed solid waste.

Figure 22-10Figure 22-10

Fig. 22-11, p. 531

Reduces trash volume

Can compete with recycling for burnable materials such as newspaper

Output approach that encourages waste production

Older or poorly managed facilities can release large amounts of air pollution

Some air pollution

Difficult to site because of citizen opposition

Costs more than short-distance hauling to landfills

Expensive to build

Some facilities recover and sell metals

Modern controls reduce air pollution

Sale of energy reduces cost

Concentrates hazardous substances into ash for burial or use as landfill cover

Low water pollution

Less need for landfills

Trade-Offs

Incineration

Advantages Disadvantages

Burying Solid WasteBurying Solid Waste

Most of the world’s MSW is buried in landfills Most of the world’s MSW is buried in landfills that eventually are expected to leak toxic that eventually are expected to leak toxic liquids into the soil and underlying aquifers.liquids into the soil and underlying aquifers.Open dumpsOpen dumps: are fields or holes in the ground : are fields or holes in the ground

where garbage is deposited and sometimes where garbage is deposited and sometimes covered with soil. Mostly used in developing covered with soil. Mostly used in developing countries.countries.

Sanitary landfillsSanitary landfills: solid wastes are spread out : solid wastes are spread out in thin layers, compacted and covered daily with in thin layers, compacted and covered daily with a fresh layer of clay or plastic foam.a fresh layer of clay or plastic foam.

Fig. 22-12, p. 532

Sand

When landfill is full,layers of soil and clayseal in trash

Methane storageand compressorbuilding

Leachatestoragetank

Leachatemonitoringwell

Groundwatermonitoringwell

Electricitygeneratorbuilding Leachate

treatment system

Methane gasrecovery well

Compactedsolid waste

Leachatepipes

Leachate pumpedup to storage tankfor safe disposal

GroundwaterClay and plastic liningto prevent leaks; pipescollect leachate frombottom of landfill

Topsoil

SandClaySubsoil

Probes todetectmethaneleaks

Garbage

Garbage

Syntheticliner

Sand

Clay

Pipes collect explosive methane as used as fuel to generate electricity

Problems of LandfillsProblems of Landfills

Leachate generation and groundwater Leachate generation and groundwater contaminationcontamination

Methane productionMethane production Incomplete decompositionIncomplete decompositionSettlingSettling

Improving LandfillsImproving Landfills

Located above water table and away from Located above water table and away from airportsairports

Contoured floor for leachate-collection Contoured floor for leachate-collection system system

Covered with earthen materialCovered with earthen materialGround-water monitoring wellsGround-water monitoring wells

Landfills Sites: Public ReactionsLandfills Sites: Public Reactions

LULU (locally LULU (locally unwanted landuse)unwanted landuse)

NIMBY (not in my NIMBY (not in my backyard)backyard)

NIMTOO (not in my NIMTOO (not in my term of office)term of office)

http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/Pictures.htm

Fig. 22-13, p. 533

No open burning

Trade-Offs

Sanitary Landfills


Eventually leaks and can contaminate groundwater

Discourages recycling, reuse, and waste reduction

Slow decompositionof wastes

Groundwater contamination

Releases greenhouse gases (methane and CO2)unless they are collected

Air pollution from toxic gases and volatile organiccompounds

Dust

Noise and traffic

No shortage of landfill space in many areas

Filled land can be used for other purposes

Can handle large amounts of waste

Can be built quickly

Low operating costs

Low groundwaterpollution if sited properly

Little odor

Case Study: What Should We Do Case Study: What Should We Do with Used Tires?with Used Tires?

We face a We face a dilemma in dilemma in deciding what to deciding what to do with hundreds do with hundreds of millions of of millions of discarded tires.discarded tires.


HAZARDOUS WASTEHAZARDOUS WASTE

Hazardous wasteHazardous waste: is any discarded solid : is any discarded solid or liquid material that is toxic, ignitable, or liquid material that is toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive enough to explode or corrosive, or reactive enough to explode or release toxic fumes.release toxic fumes.The two largest classes of hazardous wastes The two largest classes of hazardous wastes

are organic compounds (e.g. pesticides, are organic compounds (e.g. pesticides, PCBs, dioxins) and toxic heavy metals (e.g. PCBs, dioxins) and toxic heavy metals (e.g. lead, mercury, arsenic).lead, mercury, arsenic).

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: Love Canal — There Is No “Away”Love Canal — There Is No “Away”

Between 1842-1953, Hooker Chemical Between 1842-1953, Hooker Chemical sealed multiple chemical wastes into steel sealed multiple chemical wastes into steel drums and dumped them into an old canal drums and dumped them into an old canal excavation (Love Canal).excavation (Love Canal).

In 1953, the canal was filled and sold to In 1953, the canal was filled and sold to Niagara Falls school board for $1.Niagara Falls school board for $1.

The company inserted a disclaimer The company inserted a disclaimer denying liability for the wastes.denying liability for the wastes.


In 1957, Hooker Chemical warned the In 1957, Hooker Chemical warned the school not to disturb the site because of school not to disturb the site because of the toxic waste.the toxic waste. In 1959 an elementary school, playing fields In 1959 an elementary school, playing fields

and homes were built disrupting the clay cap and homes were built disrupting the clay cap covering the wastes.covering the wastes.

In 1976, residents complained of chemical In 1976, residents complained of chemical smells and chemical burns from the site.smells and chemical burns from the site.


President Jimmy President Jimmy Carter declared Carter declared Love Canal a Love Canal a federal disaster federal disaster area.area.The area was The area was

abandoned in abandoned in 1980 (left).1980 (left).



It still is a controversy as to how much the It still is a controversy as to how much the chemicals at Love Canal injured or caused chemicals at Love Canal injured or caused disease to the residents.disease to the residents.

Love Canal sparked creation of the Love Canal sparked creation of the Superfund law, which forced polluters to Superfund law, which forced polluters to pay for cleaning up abandoned toxic waste pay for cleaning up abandoned toxic waste dumps.dumps.

Fig. 22-15, p. 534

What Harmful Chemicals Are in Your Home?

• Glues and cements

• Dry-cell batteries (mercury and cadmium)

• Rust inhibitor and rust remover

• Brake and transmission fluid

General

Cleaning

• Battery acid

• Wood preservatives

• Stains, varnishes, and lacquers

Automotive

• Gasoline• Used motor oil

Paint

• Latex and oil-based paints• Paint thinners, solvents, and strippers

Gardening

• Pesticides• Weed killers• Ant and rodent

killers

• Antifreeze

• Flea powders

• Disinfectants

• Septic tank cleaners• Spot removers

• Drain, toilet, and window cleaners

• Artist paints and inks

• Solvents

Hazardous Waste Regulations in Hazardous Waste Regulations in the United Statesthe United States

Two major federal laws regulate the Two major federal laws regulate the management and disposal of hazardous management and disposal of hazardous waste in the U.S.:waste in the U.S.:Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

(RCRA)(RCRA)Cradle-to-the-grave system to keep track waste.Cradle-to-the-grave system to keep track waste.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)Commonly known as Superfund program.Commonly known as Superfund program.

Hazardous Waste Regulations in Hazardous Waste Regulations in the United Statesthe United States

The Superfund law was designed to have The Superfund law was designed to have polluters pay for cleaning up abandoned polluters pay for cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste sites.hazardous waste sites.Only 70% of the cleanup costs have come Only 70% of the cleanup costs have come

from the polluters, the rest comes from a trust from the polluters, the rest comes from a trust fund financed until 1995 by taxes on chemical fund financed until 1995 by taxes on chemical raw materials and oil.raw materials and oil.

DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS WASTEWASTE

We can produce less hazardous waste and We can produce less hazardous waste and recycle, reuse, detoxify, burn, and bury what recycle, reuse, detoxify, burn, and bury what we continue to produce.we continue to produce.


Conversion to Less Hazardous Conversion to Less Hazardous SubstancesSubstances

Physical MethodsPhysical Methods: using charcoal or : using charcoal or resins to separate out harmful chemicals.resins to separate out harmful chemicals.

Chemical MethodsChemical Methods: using chemical : using chemical reactions that can convert hazardous reactions that can convert hazardous chemicals to less harmful or harmless chemicals to less harmful or harmless chemicals.chemicals.


Biological MethodsBiological Methods: : BioremediationBioremediation: bacteria or enzymes help : bacteria or enzymes help

destroy toxic and hazardous waste or convert destroy toxic and hazardous waste or convert them to more benign substances.them to more benign substances.

PhytoremediationPhytoremediation: involves using natural or : involves using natural or genetically engineered plants to absorb, filter genetically engineered plants to absorb, filter and remove contaminants from polluted soil and remove contaminants from polluted soil and water.and water.

PhytostabilizationPlants such as willow trees and poplars can absorb chemicals and keep them from reaching groundwater or nearby surface water.

RhizofiltrationRoots of plants such as sunflowers with dangling roots on ponds or in green-houses can absorb pollutants such as radioactive strontium-90 and cesium-137 and various organic chemicals.

PhytoextractionRoots of plants such as Indian mustard and brake ferns can absorb toxic metals such as lead, arsenic, and others and store them in their leaves. Plants can then be recycled or harvested and incinerated.

PhytodegradationPlants such as poplarscan absorb toxic organic chemicals and break them down into less harmful compounds which they store or release slowly into the air.

Inorganicmetal contaminants

Organiccontaminants

Radioactivecontaminants

Brake fernPoplar treeIndian mustardWillow treeSunflower

Oilspill

Landfill

GroundwaterSoil

PollutedleachateDecontaminated

water out

Pollutedgroundwater in

GroundwaterSoil

Fig. 22-18, p. 538

Inexpensive

Low energy use

Easy to establish

Trade-Offs

Phytoremediation


Some plants can become toxic to animals

Some toxic organic chemicals may evaporate from plant leaves

Produces little air pollution compared to incineration

Can reduce material dumped into landfills

Slow (can take several growing seasons)

Effective only at depth plant roots can reach


IncinerationIncineration: heating many types of : heating many types of hazardous waste to high temperatures – hazardous waste to high temperatures – up to 2000 °C – in an incinerator can up to 2000 °C – in an incinerator can break them down and convert them to less break them down and convert them to less harmful or harmless chemicals.harmful or harmless chemicals.

Long-Term Storage of Hazardous Long-Term Storage of Hazardous WasteWaste

Hazardous waste can be disposed of on or Hazardous waste can be disposed of on or underneath the earth’s surface, but without underneath the earth’s surface, but without proper design and care this can pollute the air proper design and care this can pollute the air and water.and water.Deep-well disposalDeep-well disposal: liquid hazardous wastes are : liquid hazardous wastes are

pumped under pressure into dry porous rock far pumped under pressure into dry porous rock far beneath aquifers.beneath aquifers.

Surface impoundmentsSurface impoundments: excavated depressions : excavated depressions such as ponds, pits, or lagoons into which liners such as ponds, pits, or lagoons into which liners are placed and liquid hazardous wastes are are placed and liquid hazardous wastes are stored.stored.

Fig. 22-20, p. 539

Safe method ifsites are chosencarefully

Trade-Offs

Deep Underground Wells


Encourageswaste production

Existing fracturesor earthquakescan allow wastesto escape intogroundwater

Leaks fromcorrosion of wellcasing

Leaks or spills atsurface

Low cost

Easy to do

Wastes can beretrieved ifproblemsdevelop

BrownfieldsBrownfields

With With certain legal exclusionscertain legal exclusions and additions, the and additions, the term "brownfield site" means real property, the term "brownfield site" means real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. pollutant, or contaminant.

Qualifies if:Qualifies if: if the President finds that financial assistance will if the President finds that financial assistance will

protect human health and the environment, and either protect human health and the environment, and either promote economic development or enable the promote economic development or enable the creation of, preservation of, or addition to parks, creation of, preservation of, or addition to parks, greenways, undeveloped property, other recreational greenways, undeveloped property, other recreational property, or other property used for nonprofit property, or other property used for nonprofit purposes. purposes.

is mine-scarred land.is mine-scarred land. site for which there is no viable responsible party and site for which there is no viable responsible party and

which will be assessed, investigated, or cleaned up by which will be assessed, investigated, or cleaned up by a person that is not potentially liable for cleaning up a person that is not potentially liable for cleaning up the site; the site;

is contaminated by a controlled substance is contaminated by a controlled substance

From Landfill to Playing FieldFrom Landfill to Playing Field

The Regulatory PerspectiveThe Regulatory Perspective

Solid waste disposal act 1965Solid waste disposal act 1965Resource recovery act 1970 and1976Resource recovery act 1970 and1976Resource conservation and recovery act Resource conservation and recovery act

(RCRA) of 1976 “cradle to grave”(RCRA) of 1976 “cradle to grave”Superfund act 1980 CERCLASuperfund act 1980 CERCLAHazardous and solid waste amendments Hazardous and solid waste amendments

19841984

Secure Hazardous Waste Secure Hazardous Waste LandfillLandfill

In the U.S. there In the U.S. there are only 23 are only 23 commercial commercial hazardous waste hazardous waste landfills.landfills.


Fig. 22-23, p. 540

What Can You Do?

• 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.

Hazardous Waste


Solid wastes Solid wastes polluting a river in polluting a river in Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indonesia. The man in the boat is man in the boat is looking for items looking for items to salvage or sell.to salvage or sell.



The United States produces about a third The United States produces about a third of the world’s solid waste and buries more of the world’s solid waste and buries more than half of it in landfills.than half of it in landfills.About 98.5% is industrial solid waste.About 98.5% is industrial solid waste.The remaining 1.5% is MSW.The remaining 1.5% is MSW.

About 55% of U.S. MSW is dumped into landfills, About 55% of U.S. MSW is dumped into landfills, 30% is recycled or composted, and 15% is burned 30% is recycled or composted, and 15% is burned in incinerators.in incinerators.

Electronic Waste: A Growing Electronic Waste: A Growing ProblemProblem

E-waste consists of E-waste consists of toxic and hazardous toxic and hazardous waste such as PVC, waste such as PVC, lead, mercury, and lead, mercury, and cadmium.cadmium.

The U.S. produces The U.S. produces almost half of the almost half of the world's e-waste but world's e-waste but only recycles about only recycles about 10% of it.10% of it.


Case Study: Case Study: LeadLead

Lead is especially Lead is especially harmful to children harmful to children and is still used in and is still used in leaded gasoline and leaded gasoline and household paints in household paints in about 100 countries.about 100 countries.


Case Study: Case Study: MercuryMercury

Mercury is Mercury is released into the released into the environment environment mostly by burning mostly by burning coal and coal and incinerating incinerating wastes and can wastes and can build to high levels build to high levels in some types of in some types of fish.fish.


Fig. 22-25, p. 542

BIOMAGNIFICATION IN FOOD CHAIN

SEDIMENT

PRECIPITATIONPRECIPITATION WINDSWINDS

AIR

WATER

Inorganic mercury and acids

(Hg2+)

Inorganic mercury and acids (Hg2+)

Organicmercury (CH3Hg+)

Inorganicmercury (Hg2+)

Hg2+ and acids

Runoff of Hg2+ and acids

Large fish

Small fish

ZooplanktonPhytoplankton

Hg and SO2Hg2+ and acids

Human sources

Incinerator

Coal-burning plant

Elemental mercury

vapor (Hg)

Photo-chemical

OxidationElemental

mercury liquid (Hg)

Deposition

De

po

sit

ion

Bacteria

Bacteria and acids

Settles out

Settles out Settles

outV

ap

oriza

tion

De

po

sit

ion

De

po

sitio

n

INTEGRATED WASTE INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT


Solutions: Reducing Solid Solutions: Reducing Solid WasteWaste

RefuseRefuse: to buy items that we really don’t need.: to buy items that we really don’t need. ReduceReduce: consume less and live a simpler and less : consume less and live a simpler and less

stressful life by practicing simplicity.stressful life by practicing simplicity. ReplaceReplace: use alternative materials: use alternative materials ReuseReuse: rely more on items that can be used over : rely more on items that can be used over

and over.and over. RepurposeRepurpose: use something for another purpose : use something for another purpose

instead of throwing it away.instead of throwing it away. RecycleRecycle: paper, glass, cans, plastics…and buy : paper, glass, cans, plastics…and buy

items made from recycled materials.items made from recycled materials.

Fig. 22-6, p. 524

• Follow the five Rs of resource use: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.

• Buy products in concentrated form whenever possible.

• Read newspapers and magazines online.

• Use e-mail in place of conventional paper mail.

• Refill and reuse a bottled water container with tap water.

• Do not use throwaway paper and plastic plates, cups and eating utensils, and other disposable items when reusable or refillable versions are available.

• Buy things that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and be sure to reuse, recycle, and compost them.

• Rent, borrow, or barter goods and services when you can.

• Ask yourself whether you really need a particular item.

What Can You Do?

Solid Waste

REUSEREUSE

Reusing products is an important way to Reusing products is an important way to reduce resource use, waste, and pollution reduce resource use, waste, and pollution in developed countries.in developed countries.

Reusing can be hazardous in developing Reusing can be hazardous in developing countries for poor who scavenge in open countries for poor who scavenge in open dumps.dumps.They can be exposed to toxins or infectious They can be exposed to toxins or infectious

diseases.diseases.

How People Reuse MaterialsHow People Reuse Materials

Children looking for Children looking for materials to sell in materials to sell in an open dump near an open dump near Manila in the Manila in the Philippines.Philippines.


Case Study: Using Refillable Case Study: Using Refillable ContainersContainers

Refilling and reusing containers uses Refilling and reusing containers uses fewer resources and less energy, fewer resources and less energy, produces less waste, saves money, and produces less waste, saves money, and creates jobs.creates jobs. In Denmark and Canada’s Price Edward’s In Denmark and Canada’s Price Edward’s

Island there is a ban on all beverage Island there is a ban on all beverage containers that cannot be reused.containers that cannot be reused.

In Finland 95% of soft drink and alcoholic In Finland 95% of soft drink and alcoholic beverages are refillable (Germany 75%).beverages are refillable (Germany 75%).

REUSEREUSE

Reducing Reducing resource waste: resource waste: energy energy consumption for consumption for different types of different types of 350-ml (12-oz) 350-ml (12-oz) beverage beverage containers.containers.


A Trex DeckA Trex Deck

Yard SalesYard Sales

Solutions: Solutions: Other Ways to Reuse ThingsOther Ways to Reuse Things

We can use reusable shopping bags, food We can use reusable shopping bags, food containers, and shipping pallets, and containers, and shipping pallets, and borrow tools from tool libraries.borrow tools from tool libraries.Many countries in Europe and Asia charge Many countries in Europe and Asia charge

shoppers for plastic bags.shoppers for plastic bags.

How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote? Should consumers Should consumers

have to pay for plastic have to pay for plastic or paper bags at or paper bags at grocery and other grocery and other stores?stores? a. No. Instead, give a. No. Instead, give

discounts to people who discounts to people who bring their own bags.bring their own bags.

b. Yes. Making b. Yes. Making consumers buy their consumers buy their bags will reduce waste.bags will reduce waste.

Fig. 22-8, p. 526

• Buy beverages in refillable glass containers instead of cans or throwaway bottles.

• Give or sell items you no longer use to others.

• Buy used furniture, computers, cars, and other items.

• Use reusable sponges and washable cloth napkins, dishtowels, and handkerchiefs instead of throwaway paper ones.

• Carry groceries and other items in a reusable basket, a canvas or string bag, or a small cart.

• Use rechargeable batteries and recycle them when their useful life is over.

• Carry sandwiches and store food in the refrigerator in reusable containers instead of wrapping them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap

• Use reusable plastic or metal lunchboxes.

What Can You Do?

Reuse

RECYCLINGRECYCLING

Primary (closed loop) recyclingPrimary (closed loop) recycling: : materials are turned into new products of materials are turned into new products of the same type.the same type.

Secondary recyclingSecondary recycling: materials are : materials are converted into different products.converted into different products.Used tires shredded and converted into Used tires shredded and converted into

rubberized road surface.rubberized road surface.Newspapers transformed into cellulose Newspapers transformed into cellulose

insulation.insulation.

RECYCLINGRECYCLING

There is a disagreement over whether to There is a disagreement over whether to mix urban wastes and send them to mix urban wastes and send them to centralized resource recovery plants or to centralized resource recovery plants or to sort recyclables for collection and sale to sort recyclables for collection and sale to manufacturers as raw materials.manufacturers as raw materials.To promote separation of wastes, 4,000 To promote separation of wastes, 4,000

communities in the U.S. have implemented communities in the U.S. have implemented pay-as-you-throwpay-as-you-throw or or fee-per-bagfee-per-bag waste waste collection systems.collection systems.

RECYCLINGRECYCLING

Composting biodegradable organic waste Composting biodegradable organic waste mimics nature by recycling plant nutrients mimics nature by recycling plant nutrients to the soil.to the soil.

Recycling paper has a number of Recycling paper has a number of environmental (reduction in pollution and environmental (reduction in pollution and deforestation, less energy expenditure) deforestation, less energy expenditure) and economic benefits and is easy to do.and economic benefits and is easy to do.

RECYCLINGRECYCLING

Recycling many plastics is chemically and Recycling many plastics is chemically and economically difficult.economically difficult.Many plastics are hard to isolate from other Many plastics are hard to isolate from other

wastes.wastes.Recovering individual plastic resins does not Recovering individual plastic resins does not

yield much material.yield much material.The cost of virgin plastic resins in low than The cost of virgin plastic resins in low than

recycled resins due to low fossil fuel costs.recycled resins due to low fossil fuel costs.There are new technologies that are making There are new technologies that are making

plastics biodegradable.plastics biodegradable.

Fig. 22-9, p. 529

Important part of economy

Source separation is inconvenient for some people

Reduces profits from landfills and incinerators

Reduces air and water pollution

Saves energy

Reduces mineral demand

Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

Reduces solid waste production and disposal

Helps protect biodiversity

Can save money for items such as paper, metals, and some plastics

Does not save landfill space in areas with ample land

May lose money for items such as glass and most plastic

DisadvantagesAdvantages

Trade-Offs

Recycling

The Recycling SolutionThe Recycling Solution

Paper to paper.Paper to paper.Newspaper = 13% Newspaper = 13%

MSW stream.MSW stream.Worth $30/ton.Worth $30/ton.Ton of newspapers = 17 Ton of newspapers = 17

trees.trees.

The Recycling SolutionThe Recycling Solution

PaperPaper GlassGlass PlasticPlastic MetalsMetals Yard wastesYard wastes TextilesTextiles Old tiresOld tires

CompostCompost RefabricationRefabrication Synthetic lumberSynthetic lumber Sand or gravelSand or gravel InsulationInsulation Strengthens recycled Strengthens recycled

paperpaper HighwaysHighways

Match

Curbside RecyclingCurbside Recycling

Materials RecoveryMaterials Recovery

Pay-as-you-throw Trash PickupPay-as-you-throw Trash Pickup

Municipal RecyclingMunicipal Recycling

75% MSW recyclable if:75% MSW recyclable if:MandatoryMandatory

Deposits on cans and glass Deposits on cans and glass beverages .05 -.10 cents per beverages .05 -.10 cents per containercontainer

Easy to doEasy to doIncentivesIncentivesPolitical and industrial supportPolitical and industrial support

State Recycling RatesState Recycling Rates

MSW Recycling in the United MSW Recycling in the United StatesStates

Wastepaper Wastepaper ExportsExports

Making the Transition to a Low-Making the Transition to a Low-Waste Society: A New VisionWaste Society: A New Vision

Everything is connected.Everything is connected.There is no “away” for the wastes we There is no “away” for the wastes we

produce.produce.Dilution is not always the solution to Dilution is not always the solution to

pollution.pollution.The best and cheapest way to deal with The best and cheapest way to deal with

wastes are reduction and pollution wastes are reduction and pollution prevention.prevention.

the average american creates about 4.4 lbs of trash per day. there are about 308 million americans....

Documents

mixed solid waste

industrial solid waste

hazardous waste

municipal solid waste

large waste

resourcessolid waste

waste productionolder

hazardous toxic waste