Exam 1: Solid Waste

Exam 1 solid waste for ENST 510

Solid Waste Disposal Act (SDWA) 1965

approved October 20th, 1965 as united states first comprehensive approach to solid waste management The legislation set forth goals for reducing waste and encouraged intergovernmental cooperation, while allocating funds for research, demonstration projects, and the development of more efficient disposal practices. Prior to the act, waste management methods were largely outdated and often unsafe, leading to pollution and health hazards. Following its implementation, there was a significant shift towards the establishment of sanitary landfills and improved waste collection practices.

Est. research programs, investigations, case studies, training,

demonstration & surveys to address SW issues

What is solid waste?

trash, municipal, waste sludge, e-waste, large scale discarded material

1976: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Set national goals to protect human health AND the environment

• Encouraged states to develop comprehensive plans to manage waste

• Sets criteria for municipal SW landfills

• Prohibits open dumping of SW

• Set national goals with a focus on protection of human health &

environment

◦ Subtitle D – Put states in charge of non-hazardous waste

1984: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA)

Focused on waste minimization

• Phased out land disposal of untreated hazardous waste

• Increased stringent hazardous waste management standards

• focused on waste minimization

• phased out land disposal of untreated waste

AB2439 (1976)

Established issuance of permits for Solid Waste Facilities

AB939 (1989)

• introduced Integrated waste management hierarchy

• first act telling us about waste diversions

• source reduction (reduce, recuse, recycle)

• recycling and composting

• environmentally safe transportation and land disposal

• 25% waste diversion goal by 1995 (did not come close)

• 50% diversion by 2000

• defined law enforcement agency rules

AB341 (2011)

◦ Increased goals for waste diversion to 75% by 2025

How percentage of waste was the US recycling in 2013?

13%

US solid waste

• 11 billion metric tons/year

• mining, oil and gas production make up 75% of waste

• agriculture is 13%

• municipal is 1.5%

• average person produces 4.5 lbs (4.9 based on chart ) of waste a day

E- Waste

• Fastest growing solid waste in north america

• only 52% is recycled

• in the US about 30-50% is exported annually

International Basal Convention

The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of hazardous wastes and other wastes requiring special consideration. Supported Countries in the banning of receiving imported ewaste from countries like the US

Integrated solid waste management hierarchy

a step-by-step system that ranks waste management choices from most preferred to least preferred to protect the environment

BOD

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Landfill Criteria

1. Identify the Need

2. need public acceptance, gain through education on the process

3. how will the landfill effect the environment?

Environmental Concerns for Landfill

1. methan

2. leachate production

3. large footprint = impact on human and wildlife

Geotechnical Criteria for Landfill

1. what does the drainage look like

2. how much precipitation does the area receive (snow melt and rain amount concerns)

3. How much runon? runoff? (Results in erosion)

4. Permeable or impermeable soil?

5. risk to water resource

6. is the closest groundwater resource being used?

Social Issues/Criteria for Landfill

1. public perception

2. how is the smells, sound, and construction effecting the public?

3. How much is the public complaining (they have the right to)

4. what is the historical/cultural value of the area?

Other Criteria for Landfill

1. What is the general climate like?

2. the landfill cannot be in close proximity to a water treatment plant

3. How much is transportation of the waste producing pollution

4. cannot be within 10,000 ft of an airport runway (solution is falcons)

5. is the logistics of construction and maintenance economically sound?