APES 8

Municipal solid waste

Solid waste such as trash, litter, and garbage from cities including households, businesses, and schools.

E-waste

Old computers, TVs, phones, and tablets which are considered hazardous.

Why is e-waste considered hazardous?

Due to the presence of metals like cadmium, lead, mercury, and PBDEs.

Effect of e-waste mixed with municipal solid waste

It can leach endocrine disrupting chemicals out of landfills; e-waste should be disposed of at special facilities.

Features of sanitary landfills

Includes a clay/plastic bottom liner, leachate collection system, methane recovery system, and clay cap.

Clay/plastic bottom liner

A layer of clay/plastic at the bottom of a landfill to prevent pollutants from leaking into soil/groundwater.

Leachate collection system

A system of tubes/pipes at the bottom of the landfill for collecting leachate, which is water draining through waste.

Methane recovery system

A system of tubes/pipes to collect methane produced by anaerobic decomposition in the landfill for electricity generation.

Clay cap

A clay-soil mixture used to cover landfills once full to keep out animals, contain odors, and allow vegetation regrowth.

Why do landfills have low rates of decomposition?

Because of low O2, moisture, and organic material.

Things that should not be landfilled

Hazardous waste (motor oil, cleaners, electronics, car batteries), metals like copper and aluminum, and old tires.

Things that should be landfilled

Cardboard/food wrappers with too much food residue, rubber, plastic films, and Styrofoam.

Things that should be recycled or composted

Food, yard waste, and paper.

Environmental impacts of landfills

Groundwater contamination with metals, acids, and bacteria; greenhouse gas release from decomposition.

Purpose of incinerating waste in landfills

To reduce the volume of waste that needs to be landfilled.

Drawbacks of waste incineration

Releases CO2 and air pollutants.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals

Chemicals that can interfere with hormonal systems and are of concern when e-waste leaches.

Leachate

Water draining through solid waste, carrying pollutants, and requiring treatment.