WastePart week 8 unit 4

Pollution

An undesirable change in the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of a region’s air, water, soil, waste, or food.

Law of Conservation of Mass

Matter cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms or be stored indefinitely.

Waste Stream

The sum of all waste produced by individuals, industries, mining, and agriculture.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Garbage from households, businesses, and schools that does not fit into other waste categories.

Hazardous Waste

Any discarded liquid or solid that contains substances harmful to humans or the environment.

E-Waste

Electronic waste that includes discarded electronic devices such as computers and cell phones.

Source Reduction

Efforts to prevent waste generation at the source, such as changing packaging or reusing products.

Leachate

Any liquid that has percolated through waste and contains pollutants.

Superfund Sites

Polluted locations designated by the EPA for cleanup due to hazardous waste exposure.

Brownfields

Abandoned properties that may contain hazardous substances but are often not actively causing environmental problems.

Recycling

The process of reprocessing discarded materials into new, useful products.

Composting

Biological degradation of organic material under aerobic (with oxygen) conditions.

Incineration

The burning of solid waste to reduce its volume, often converting it to energy.

Pollution Haven

Regions where waste is disposed of in developing countries due to lower environmental regulations.

What are two approaches to dealing with pollution?

Preventing pollution by reducing waste at the source and cleaning up existing pollution.

what are the five types of waste and how is each type disposed of?

1. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) - disposed of in landfills or through incineration.

2. Hazardous Waste - treated and disposed of in specialized facilities.

3. E-Waste - recycled or disposed of in e-waste facilities.

4. Construction and Demolition Waste - often recycled, reused, or sent to landfills.

5. Organic Waste - composted or processed for energy.

How is municipal solid waste disposed of? list and explain

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is primarily disposed of in two ways:

1. Landfills - MSW is taken to landfills where it is buried and capped. This method is common but can lead to pollution issues.

2. Incineration - Some MSW is burned in incinerators to reduce its volume and produce energy, although it can release pollutants.

what are superfund?

Polluted locations designated by the EPA for cleanup due to hazardous waste exposure.

What is integrated waste management?

waste management is a system that combines different waste management methods, such as recycling, composting, and disposal, to minimize waste and reduce environmental