Waste Management and Environmental Regulations Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to waste disposal, environmental regulations, and contamination liability.

Why are waste disposal problems increasing in urban areas?

Population growth = more waste

limited space for landfills

more hazardous and non-biodegradable waste

What are detrimental byproducts of waste incineration?

Air pollutants like dioxins, furans, heavy metals, and CO2; toxic ash requiring safe handling.

Leachates

Contaminated liquid from waste decomposition, posing a hazard to health and the environment.

Important considerations for sanitary landfill site selection:

• FAR FROM WATER SOURCES (floodplains, fault lines) → clay liners, leachate collection systems, geologically stable

• Consider local population density, wind patterns, future land use

Love Canal environmental problem:

A toxic waste dump was buried and built over, causing contamination and health problems when leaked.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA):

• 1976 - regulates hazardous/non-hazardous solid waste

• Cradle-to-grave tracking of waste → safe disposal, recycling, and reduction

Pros and cons of deep well disposal of hazardous wastes

👍 Isolates waste from surface, long term containment

👎 groundwater contamination, induced seismic activity

What is a potential valuable resource from sanitary landfills?

Landfill gas (mainly methane), which can be captured and used for energy generation.

Industrial Ecology

Industrial systems modeled on natural ecosystems → waste becomes input

How do real estate purchasers limit their liability for previous contamination?

• Buyers conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments to identify contamination risks.

• If needed, follow up with Phase II testing (soil/water sampling).

• By showing “due diligence”, buyers may qualify for liability protection under the CERCLA (Superfund) “innocent landowner” defense.

Hazardous Waste Sites

1. Secure landfill – confines waste and treats leachate

2. Deep well disposal – rock isolated from groundwater

• Can cause earthquakes!

3. High temperature incineration – treatment rather than disposal

4. Land disposal – still the ultimate destination for most waste