APES study guide 11

municipal solid waste (MSW)

everyday trash produced by homes, businesses, schools, and public places. ex. food waste, packages, paper/cardboard, plastic, yard trimming, comment household items

industrial solid waste

leftover solid material from factories and industrial activities that needs proper disposal or recycling

garbology

leftover solid material from factories and industrial activities that needs proper disposal or recycling

sanitary landfill

safely stores waste by burying it in layers with soil to reduce harm to people and nature

open dump

unsafe, unregulated place where trash is just left out in the open

hazardous waste

any waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. It can be solid, liquid, or gas and often comes from industrial, medical, or chemical processes

radioactive waste

type of hazardous waste that gives off radiation. It comes from nuclear power plants, medical treatments, and scientific research, and it needs special handling and storage to keep people and the environment safe

e-waste

discarded electronic devices like phones, computers, TVs, and batteries. It often contains toxic materials and needs to be recycled properly to avoid harming the environment

integrated waste management

system that combines different methods to manage waste in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way. This includes reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling, composting, and safe disposal

refuse

decline/reject from buying

reduce

cut down on the amount of waste we create by using fewer resources and making smarter choices, like buying less or choosing reusable items

recycle

processing used materials so they can be made into new products, helping to reduce waste and save natural resources

reuse

using items more than once instead of throwing them away, either for the same purpose or in a new way

composting

natural process of breaking down organic waste—like food scraps and yard waste—into nutrient-rich soil, which can be used to help plants grow

affluenza

describe the problems caused by having too much wealth, such as greed, overconsumption, lack of motivation, and a constant desire for more

leachate

liquid that forms when rainwater or other liquids pass through waste in a landfill, picking up harmful chemicals and contaminants along the way

love canal

neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York, that became infamous for being built on a toxic waste dump. In the late 1970s, residents discovered that hazardous chemicals buried there were leaking into homes and the environment, causing health problems

secure landfill

type of landfill designed to safely store hazardous or toxic waste. It is built with special protective barriers and systems to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment, such as groundwater

brownfield

previously developed piece of land that is contaminated or polluted, often from industrial use, and may require cleanup before it can be redeveloped or used again

incineration

process of burning waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume and destroy harmful substances. The process can generate energy but also produces ash and emissions

toxic waste

any type of waste that is harmful or poisonous to human health or the environment. It can come from industrial processes, chemicals, or discarded materials that pose serious risks if not managed properly

ocean disposal (dumping)

releasing waste, including chemicals, sewage, plastics, or industrial byproducts, into the ocean. This practice can severely harm marine life, ecosystems, and human health

deep-well disposal (injection)

method of disposing of liquid waste by injecting it deep into underground wells, often into rock formations, to keep it away from the surface environment

bioremediation

process that uses living organisms, like bacteria or plants, to break down or remove pollutants from the environment, such as oil spills or contaminated soil

CERCLA (superfund act)

federal law created in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. It authorizes the government to respond to environmental emergencies, spills, and accidents, and holds parties responsible for contaminating land or water

RCRA

federal law that governs the management of solid and hazardous waste. It sets standards for waste disposal, treatment, and storage, aiming to protect human health and the environment from waste-related risks

cradle to grave system

management of a product's entire life cycle, from its creation to its disposal

cradle to cradle system

sustainability concept where products are designed with the goal of being reused, recycled, or regenerated after their initial use, creating a closed-loop system. Unlike cradle-to-grave, where products end up as waste, cradle-to-cradle ensures that materials are perpetually cycled back into the production process