U8: Ch 16; Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution: Solid Waste Disposal

solid waste

discarded material that is not liquid or gas and comes from industrial, agricultural, business, and domestic sources

paper

leading type of municipal solid waste

landfills

most common solid waste disposal method

incineration

the burning of waste

composting

biodegradable materials are a candidate for _____ as a method of waste disposal

recycling

the collection and recovery of useful materials that can be remade into new products, keeping waste out of landfills

downcycling

when the products made from recycled materials are of a lesser quality or purity than the original

integrated waste management

a combination of waste disposal methods to manage waste

hazardous waste

materials that are known to be flammable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive

electronic waste

includes discarded computer monitors, televisions, and cell phones, this waste contains heavy metals like mercury and can leach from landfills into groundwater

CERCLA (The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Reliability Act)

AKA Superfund Act, enacted to handle industrial contamination in sites where no direct individual or party could be held responsible for cleanup

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

“cradle to grave” act, set specific regulations in the manufacture, transport, storage, use, and ultimate disposal for a host of hazardous chemicals, major provision requires extensive documentation at every step to ensure that hazardous wastes are disposed of properly