PEE - SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

Solid waste

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2021.

Solid waste is "any garbage, refuse, or sludge from various sources, including industrial, commercial, and residential activities."

Industrial waste

Non-hazardous and hazardous materials discarded from industrial processes, manufacturing, and production activities.

Includes scrap metal, packaging, by-products.

Commercial waste

Waste generated by businesses and commercial establishments during operations.

Residential waste

Waste generated by households during daily living activities.

Hazardous waste

Materials that are dangerous or potentially harmful to human health and the environment.

Can be toxic, reactive, ignitable, or corrosive.

Requires proper handling and regulation.

Types: reactive, flammable, corrosive, toxic

Reactivity (hazardous waste)

Substances that undergo chemical reactions releasing energy, gas, or heat.

May cause explosions or hazardous situations.

Flammability (hazardous waste)

Waste that can easily ignite and catch fire.

Corrosivity (hazardous waste)

Substances that corrode materials or cause damage upon contact.

Toxicity (hazardous waste)

Potential of a substance to harm living organisms through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.

Includes acute and chronic toxicity.

Environmental impacts of solid waste

• Land pollution – landfills or illegal dumps contaminate soil and enter the food chain

• Water pollution – leachate pollutes groundwater and water bodies

• Air pollution – methane from landfills; toxic smoke from burning waste

Human health impacts of solid waste

• Disease transmission – vectors like rats, flies, mosquitoes

• Air pollution – respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis

• Exposure to hazardous waste – causes various health issues

Economic impacts of solid waste

• Waste management cost – collection, transport, treatment, disposal
• Tourism and property values – reduced due to pollution and unsightly landfills

Solid waste management

Sustainable waste collection, treatment, and disposal to reduce environmental impact and protect public health.

Segregation

Classification of waste into categories.

Composting

Transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Reduces landfill waste and improves soil health.

Land filling

Depositing waste materials on or in land, either on-site or in external facilities.

Incineration

Thermal waste treatment process.

Reduces waste volume and generates energy.

Organic waste is burned to produce heat for electricity.

Leaves ash and combustion gases.

Resource recovery

Extracting valuable materials or energy from waste.

Includes metal and plastic recovery, incineration, gasification.

Reduce

Use fewer resources and generate less waste.

Reuse

Find other applications for an item instead of discarding it.

Recycle

Processing used materials like paper, plastic, metal into new products.

Government policy

Rules for reducing, recycling, and properly disposing waste to protect the environment.

Keeps communities clean, prevents pollution, ensures safe handling of waste.

Policy and regulation

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) guides waste reduction, recycling, and proper disposal.

International standard

Basel Convention – manages waste responsibly, prevents harmful waste export to other countries.