APES Waste Unit

Do you understand the Big Ideas for the

Ecological Footprints Unit (Waste)

  1. There are various methods to dispose of solid waste. Describe a sanitary landfill and an incineration plant. List the pros and the cons of each method.(from textbook pages 587 – 590)

Sanitary landfills are places where waste and trash are isolated until they are chemically, physically and biologically degraded completely. Sanitary landfills are able to create a barrier between solid waste and the soil and water at the site so that the latter can still be used. The disadvantage is that there is often chemical leakage and leaching at sanitary landfill sights.

Incineration plants are sites where waste is heated and the steam from this process can be used to generate power. Incineration plants are able to reduce amounts of waste by incinerating them and also create energy in the process. The disadvantages include the pollutants released into the air during this process, and the toxic ash that has to be disposed of in special ways.

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages waste-to-energy incineration? (from textbook pages 591)

Pros: Waste to energy is able to create energy that is relatively clean, avoid landfilling and get rid of unnecessary waste, and also allow for the recovery of precious metals and materials after incineration.

Cons: Waste to energy causes high CO2 emissions, so it is not actually that clean, can destroy some precious materials, as not all of them can be recovered, cause people to recycle less, and promote a waste trade that does not have proper regulation or monitoring.

  1. How can we deal with hazardous waste? Include integrated hazardous waste management, detoxifying, burning with arc plasma, and storing the waste. (from textbook pages 593-596)

Integrated waste management processes are ways that prioritize the health of humans and the environment, while still effectively getting rid of waste. It involves assessing local needs and situations and creating plans based on that. Plasma arcs are ways to burn waste that uses high temperatures to break down waste, without having to use thermal incineration, so less emissions. Detoxifying waste means that when it is put back into the landfills, it will be less toxic and dangerous.

  1. What materials are considered electronic waste, or e-waste? What hazards are associated with e-waste? (from textbook pages 586-587)

E waste is metals and materials that are used in electronics, such as cadmium, lead, antimony, nickel and mercury. These metals can be extremely toxic and some are even neurotoxins that damage the brain.

  1. Some countries dispose of waste by dumping it in the ocean. What are the negative effects of plastic that is dumped into the ocean? (from textbook pages 592-593)

Dumping e waste in the ocean can cause higher acidification in our waters, and harm the animals and plant life in the ocean. E waste contains tons of toxic chemicals that can easily harm these animals, and that can eventually harm humans who consume those animals

  1. Describe methods that you and your family and society can use to reduce the amount of waste you produce. (from textbook pages 599-607)

Some ways include using only what we need, buying stuff that does not use excess packaging, buying used things, and giving away or donating things we don’t need anymore, rather than just throwing it away. We can also recycle and compost whenever possible.

  1. Recycling is a process by which certain solid waste materials are processed and converted into new products. What materials can be recycled and what are the pros and cons of recycling them? (from textbook pages 601-603)

Materials such as certain types of glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, and metals can all be recycled. Advantages of recycling include: promoting environmentally friendly practices, offsetting waste from the landfill, providing new jobs,  and reduction of energy for manufactured goods. Some cons include: how much energy recycling takes, the pollution and emissions recycling can cause, and how expensive it is compared to just putting things in a landfill. 

  1. Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter such as food scraps, paper, and yard waste so it can be used as humus for soil. What are the pros and cons of composting? (from textbook pages 603-604)

Composting can decrease waste sent to landfills, help with water absorption, reduce emissions, replace chemical fertilizers and increase the quality of soil so plants can grow better. Disadvantages are the cost of composting (the process and production combined), the tie it takes to compost, and odors and particulates that come as a result.

  1. Organic material in landfills decomposes in anaerobic conditions and forms methane, a potent greenhouse gas. What can be done to limit the formation and escape of methane from a landfill? (from textbook pages 587-588)

Landfills currently trap and capture the methane using wells and a vacuum like system. This gas can then be used as energy for nearby homes.

  1. Describe each of the following pieces of federal legislation:

    1. Clean Air Act

An act put in place in 1963 to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

  1. Clean Water Act

Act with the goal of restoring and maintaining the quality of water sources around the country.

  1. Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

An act dedicated to ensuring the safety of drinking water for all.

  1. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) also known as the Superfund

Banned certain chemical plants and also closed already running hazardous waste sites. Used large amounts of funds to do so

  1. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Monitoring of how waste is disposed of, as well as creating new ways to dispose of waste.

  1. Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Ban on additives and harmful chemicals in certain foods, drugs and cosmetics.