ENVS 1000 Study Notes

Waste Management Overview

  • Focus on sources, impacts, and solutions of waste.

Sources of Waste

  • Municipal Solid Waste: Non-liquid waste from homes, institutions, small businesses.

  • Industrial Solid Waste: Waste from factories, mining, agriculture, petroleum extraction.

  • Hazardous Waste: Toxic, chemically reactive, ignitable, corrosive, radioactive wastes.

  • Wastewater: Used water from households, businesses, industry, plus polluted runoff.

Impacts of Waste

  • Organic Compounds: Persistent toxicity; can act as mutagens (causing genetic changes), carcinogens (causing cancer), teratogens (causing birth defects), and endocrine disruptors (interfering with hormones).

  • Heavy Metals: Lead, chromium, mercury, etc.; can bioaccumulate (build up in living things) and impact health.

  • E-waste: Electronic waste should be treated as hazardous; contains valuable rare elements.

  • Radioactive Waste: Dangerous and persistent, requiring multiple barriers for containment.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Methods

  • Secure Landfills: Require stricter design standards; must be located away from aquifers (under-ground water sources).

  • Surface Impoundments: Store liquid waste; risk of contamination through cracking.

  • Deep-well Injection: Long-term disposal method; risk of corrosion and leaks.

Solutions to Waste Problem

  • Source Reduction: Prevent waste generation to conserve resources and minimize pollution.

  • Reuse: Donate, use bulk products, compost, and bring personal bags or containers.

  • Recycling: Essential for minimizing environmental impact; many products are recyclable.

  • Composting: Converting organic waste into mulch or humus; significant part of waste management.

  • Industrial Ecology: Redesigning industrial processes for efficiency and sustainability.

  • Waste Exchanges: Linking waste producers to those who can use materials as raw inputs.