waste management

waste management

• collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste materials

• goal: protect human health and the environment

main types of waste

• municipal solid waste (MSW): everyday trash from homes and businesses

• hazardous waste: toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials

• e-waste: electronic waste containing metals like lead and mercury

• industrial waste: byproducts from manufacturing and production

global waste challenge

• world generates over 2 billion tons of waste yearly 

• expected to increase by 70% by 2050

drivers of global waste growth 

• urbanization, population increase, and consumption habits 

• single-use plastics and short product lifespans 

main issues w plastics

• made from petroleum, non-biodegradable 

• break down into microplastics that enter food, air, and water 

why does petroleum lobby have a financial stake in plastic waste?

• plastics are made from oil and gas byproducts

• promoting plastic use keeps petroleum demand high 

• industry funding has promoted the “recycling myth”

recycling myth

• oil and chemical companies marketed recycling to deflect blame 

• less than 10% of plastics are actually recycled 

what are short-term solutions to plastic waste?

• ban single-use plastics

• expand local recycling programs 

• increase consumer awareness 

long-term solutions to plastic waste

• build a circular economy (reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign)

• enforce extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws 

• develop biodegradable and compostable materials 

circular economy

• system where materials are reused, repaired, or recycled instead of discarded 

• reduces waste and preserves natural resources 

extended producer responsibility (EPR)

• policy approach making manufacturers responsible for a product’s lifecycle 

• shifts cost of waste management from taxpayers to producers

what happens to exported waste?

• wealthy countries often ship plastic waste to low-income nations 

• ex: US exports to Asia (especially before China’s national sword policy)

chinas national sword policy

• enacted in 2018

• banned most plastic imports due to contamination and environmental burden 

• exposed global recycling system’s dependence on exports 

consequences of landfill reliance 

• landfills release methane (potent greenhouse gas)

• risk of leachate contaminating groundwater 

• often located in low-income or minorities (environmental injustice)

environmental justice in waste management

• ensures all people are treated fairly in environmental laws and policies 

• low-income and minority populations often face greatest waste burdens 

waste-to-energy (WtE)

• converts non-recyclable waste into usable heat or electricity

• reduces landfill use but still produces CO2

• ex: copenhill

why doesnt US have facilities like copenhill

• High upfront cost.

• Strict air pollution regulations.

• Public opposition to incinerators.

• Dependence on cheap landfill space.

possible downsides to WtE

• Expensive to build and maintain.

• Emits carbon dioxide.

• Risk of reducing recycling incentives.

best available technologies (BAT)

• pollution control methods required by regulation 

• ex’s: smokestack scrubbers, catalytic converters 

command and control regulations

• top-down enforcement requiring specific technologies or limits 

• criticized for being rigid and discouraging innovation 

alternative to command and control

• incentive-based regulation: rewards for reducing pollution

• ex: carbon credits or cap-and-trade programs 

ex of successful incentive-based policy

• The 1990 Clean Air Act’s SO₂ cap-and-trade program:

  • Cut acid rain by limiting emissions and allowing trading of pollution credits.

environmental equity’s role in waste management

• Communities near industrial or landfill sites face health risks.

• Advocates push for fair siting and monitoring of waste facilities.

sustainable waste management

• Combines waste reduction, recycling, WtE, and producer accountability.

• Encourages innovation and community participation.