Unit 8(8.9) Solid Waste Disposal APES

  • Methods of solid waste disposal include landfilling, recycling, composting, and incineration, each having its own environmental implications and effectiveness.

  • Municipal waste - produced by households, businesses, hospitals, and schools

    • Aka trash, litter, refuse..etc

    • Most common waste in landfills includes paper, organic waste, plastics, and, which contribute significantly to environmental pollution and landfill overcrowding.

    • Additionally, hazardous waste - generated from industrial processes or chemical use - requires specialized disposal methods to prevent contamination and protect public health.

  • Electronic waste - anything that uses electricity to function

    • Contains heavy metals (ex. mercury and lead),PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl),lithium, barium,etc. persistent pollutants

  • PCBs are human made industrial chemicals used in factories

    • They are highly toxic can cause skin lesions and are associated with several kinds of cancer

    • PCBs were being dumped on a low income community in warren county north carolina 1977 landfill constructed in 1982 but the community opposed it.

  • Open landfills

    • odor from decomposition

    • poor containment - solid waste and leachate absorbs contaminates into soil and groundwater

    • flammable

    • animal disturbance (potential food source)

    • low aesthetic value

  • Sanitary landfills

    • Liner - clay or plastic

    • prevents pollutants from leaking into ground water or soil

    • clay cap - clay and soil mixture

    • covers landfill

    • keeps animals out

    • keeps smell down

    • allows veg to grow and prevents contamination of soil and waterways.

    • leache pond prevents soil and water way contamination

  • The methane recovery system - collects methane gas produced during decomposition, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing a renewable energy source.

  • The leachate collection system captures and treats the liquids that seep through the waste, preventing harmful pollutants from entering the environment.

  • What shouldn’t be in landfills

    • hazardous waste (electronics,motor oil, cleaner, paint)

    • metals - should be recycled

    • old tires - often left on large piles that hold standing water mosquitoes breeding

  • Landfill issues

  • Ground water can be contaminated from leachate

    • heavy metals, acids, medications, bacteria etc.

  • Greenhouse gasses

    • CO2 and CH4 (methane)

    • released through decomposition

    • contributes to global climate change

  • NIMBY - not in my backyard

    • site and smell

    • attracts animals

    • groundwater contamination

  • Burning

    • pros

    • makes it 90% smaller

    • harness heat for electricity

    • cons

    • doesn’t make garbage dissager

    • toxic ash

    • more greenhouse gasses/air pollutants

  • Dump it :(

    • pros

    • convenient

    • no dedicated place for waste

    • cons

    • solid waste will contaminated soil and water

    • containers and tires can hold water and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

  • Ocean -0-

    • illegal

    • collects in patches

    • suffocates animals

    • breaks down into microplastics

    • solid ocean waste

      • most of the plastic gets broken down to very small pieces and can act like as conductor for the POPs and result in bioaccumulation

      • Damage to aquatic species

      • mobility, breathing, mistaking trash for food, etc

  • Protections

    • clean water act - air pollution must be controlled from incineration CO2 is not under this act also after drinking water act - both help to assure that there is no leachate leaking into our water supply

    • RCRA - resource conservation & recovery act

    • gives epa control over E-waste and hazardous materials from cradle to grave - how to safely dispose of e-waste

    • CERCLA - comprehensive environmental response compensation and liability act

    • funding and manpower to identify and clan up improperly disposed hazardous waste.