Chapter 19Chapter 19

WasteWaste

What is solid waste..What is solid waste..

Where does your trash go when you Where does your trash go when you throw it away?throw it away?

Where are our dumps located?Where are our dumps located?

Do we take other peoples trash?Do we take other peoples trash?

Solid WasteSolid Waste

Any discarded material that isn’t a Any discarded material that isn’t a liquid or a gasliquid or a gas

Junk mail, coffee grounds, old cars, Junk mail, coffee grounds, old cars, sewer solid waste…sewer solid waste…

Solid WasteSolid Waste Who is the Who is the

biggest biggest producer of producer of solid waste?solid waste?– America, but America, but

other other countries are countries are catching up.catching up.

– Our waste Our waste production has production has doubled since doubled since 1960.1960.

Space and WasteSpace and Waste

many towns are running out of space many towns are running out of space to dispose of the amounts of waste to dispose of the amounts of waste that people createthat people create

Population and WastePopulation and Waste-while the Earth’s human population and -while the Earth’s human population and

the amount of waste we produce grows the amount of waste we produce grows larger, the amount of land available per larger, the amount of land available per person becomes smallerperson becomes smaller

today, the average person in the US today, the average person in the US produces 4.4 pounds of solid waste produces 4.4 pounds of solid waste per dayper day

-because the human population and -because the human population and amount of available land is amount of available land is decreasing it is getting harder to decreasing it is getting harder to dispose of the waste we createdispose of the waste we create

B. Not All Wastes Are EqualB. Not All Wastes Are Equal Problems are caused not only by the Problems are caused not only by the

amount of solid waste, but by the amount of solid waste, but by the type of solid wastetype of solid waste

There are two main types of solid There are two main types of solid waste: biodegradable and waste: biodegradable and nonbiodegradablenonbiodegradable

--biodegradablebiodegradable- if it can be broken - if it can be broken down by biological processesdown by biological processes

BiodegradableBiodegradable

-examples are plant and animal -examples are plant and animal mattermatter

-products made from natural -products made from natural materials are usually biodegradablematerials are usually biodegradable

-newspapers, paper bags, cotton -newspapers, paper bags, cotton fibers, leatherfibers, leather

Products made from synthetic Products made from synthetic materials are not biodegradablematerials are not biodegradable

NonbiodegradableNonbiodegradable

-a -a nonbiodegradable nonbiodegradable material- cannot material- cannot be broken down by natural processesbe broken down by natural processes

-synthetic materials are made by -synthetic materials are made by combining chemicals to form combining chemicals to form compounds (made in a lab) that do not compounds (made in a lab) that do not form naturallyform naturally

-polyester, nylon, and plastic are -polyester, nylon, and plastic are examples of synthetic materialsexamples of synthetic materials– synthetic materials are composed of synthetic materials are composed of

hydrogen & carbonhydrogen & carbon

Plastic ProblemsPlastic Problems -plastics illustrate how -plastics illustrate how

nonbiodegradable materials can cause nonbiodegradable materials can cause problemsproblems

-made from petroleum or natural gas -made from petroleum or natural gas – they consist mostly of carbon and – they consist mostly of carbon and hydrogen but plastics are put together hydrogen but plastics are put together in molecular chains that are not found in molecular chains that are not found in naturein nature

-the plastics we throw away may -the plastics we throw away may accumulate and last for hundreds of accumulate and last for hundreds of yearsCyearsC– Compare the peanut Compare the peanut

C. Types of Solid WasteC. Types of Solid Waste Most of what we throw out on a day-Most of what we throw out on a day-

to-day basis is called municipal solid to-day basis is called municipal solid wastewaste

Manufacturing waste – like Manufacturing waste – like computers, and mining waste make computers, and mining waste make up about 70% of the other types of up about 70% of the other types of solid waste produced in the USsolid waste produced in the US

Municipal Solid Waste (waste Municipal Solid Waste (waste produced by a community)produced by a community)

Municipal solid wasteMunicipal solid waste

Municipal solid wasteMunicipal solid waste – waste – waste produced by households and produced by households and businessesbusinesses

-makes up about 2% of the total solid -makes up about 2% of the total solid waste in the USwaste in the US

-amounts to more than 236 million -amounts to more than 236 million tons each year- enough to fill garbage tons each year- enough to fill garbage trucks that would stretch around the trucks that would stretch around the Earth about 6 times!Earth about 6 times!

sewer/household wastesewer/household waste

the amount of municipal waste is the amount of municipal waste is growing much faster than the amount growing much faster than the amount of mining or agricultural wasteof mining or agricultural waste

9% of solid waste is from 9% of solid waste is from Manufacturing, while Mining and Manufacturing, while Mining and Agriculture make up an additional 87% !Agriculture make up an additional 87% !

-solid waste from manufacturing, -solid waste from manufacturing, mining, and agriculture makes up most mining, and agriculture makes up most of the rest of the total solid waste of the rest of the total solid waste produced in the USproduced in the US

What Does it Look Like?What Does it Look Like? Waste from manufacturing includes things Waste from manufacturing includes things

like scrap metal, plastics, paper, sludge, like scrap metal, plastics, paper, sludge, and ashand ash

-consumers (you) indirectly produce this -consumers (you) indirectly produce this waste by purchasing products that have waste by purchasing products that have been manufacturedbeen manufactured

-waste from mining includes rock and -waste from mining includes rock and minerals that are left over from excavation minerals that are left over from excavation and processingand processing

-this waste is left exposed in large heaps, -this waste is left exposed in large heaps, dumped in oceans or rivers, disposed of by dumped in oceans or rivers, disposed of by refilling and landscaping abandoned minesrefilling and landscaping abandoned mines

agricultural waste includes agricultural waste includes crop wastes and manurecrop wastes and manure

-because it is biodegradable it -because it is biodegradable it can be broken down and can be broken down and returned to the soilreturned to the soil

-the increasing use of fertilizers -the increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides may cause and pesticides may cause agricultural waste more agricultural waste more difficult to dispose of – if it is difficult to dispose of – if it is

returned to the soil it could returned to the soil it could harm plants and animals or harm plants and animals or contaminate groundwatercontaminate groundwater

D. Solid Waste D. Solid Waste ManagementManagement

Most of our municipal waste in the Most of our municipal waste in the US is sent to landfills and some of it US is sent to landfills and some of it is incinerated, or burnedis incinerated, or burned

-more than 30% is recycled in -more than 30% is recycled in comparison to 1970 when we comparison to 1970 when we recycled only 6.6 Landfillsrecycled only 6.6 Landfills

more than 50% of the municipal and more than 50% of the municipal and manufacturing solid waste created in manufacturing solid waste created in the US is sent to landfillsthe US is sent to landfills

landfilllandfill landfilllandfill – a permanent waste-disposal – a permanent waste-disposal

facility where wastes are put in the facility where wastes are put in the ground and covered each day with a ground and covered each day with a layer of soil, plastic, or bothlayer of soil, plastic, or both

A modern landfill has many partsA modern landfill has many parts the most important function of a the most important function of a

landfill is to contain waste so that it landfill is to contain waste so that it does not pollute the environmentdoes not pollute the environment

waste must be prevented from waste must be prevented from leaching toxins into the soil and leaching toxins into the soil and groundwatergroundwater

Problems with LandfillsProblems with Landfills One problem with landfills is leachateOne problem with landfills is leachate leachateleachate- a liquid that has passed through - a liquid that has passed through

compacted solid waste in a landfill forms compacted solid waste in a landfill forms when water seeps down through a landfill and when water seeps down through a landfill and collects dissolved chemicals from collects dissolved chemicals from decomposing garbagedecomposing garbage

may contain chemicals from paints, may contain chemicals from paints, pesticides, cleansers, cans, batteries, and pesticides, cleansers, cans, batteries, and appliancesappliances

landfills typically have monitoring wells and landfills typically have monitoring wells and storage tanks to measure and store leachatestorage tanks to measure and store leachate

stored leachate can then be treated as waste stored leachate can then be treated as waste waterwater

if landfills are not monitored properly, if landfills are not monitored properly, leachate can flow into groundwater supplies leachate can flow into groundwater supplies and make water from nearby wells unsafe to and make water from nearby wells unsafe to drink - Makes chemical soupdrink - Makes chemical soup

Methane is another problem Methane is another problem with landfillswith landfills

decomposing organic wastes may decomposing organic wastes may produce methane, a highly flammable produce methane, a highly flammable gas.gas.

it can be pumped out of landfills and it can be pumped out of landfills and used as a fuelused as a fuel

if it is not monitored safely, it may if it is not monitored safely, it may seep through the ground and into seep through the ground and into basements of homes up to 300m basements of homes up to 300m (1000 ft) from a landfill(1000 ft) from a landfill

if methane is ignited by a spark, it can if methane is ignited by a spark, it can cause dangerous explosions –it burns cause dangerous explosions –it burns with a blue flamewith a blue flame

MethaneMethane

Methane is a plentiful source of fuelMethane is a plentiful source of fuel

Future???Future???

LawLaw The Resource Conservation & The Resource Conservation &

Recovery Act (RCRA)Recovery Act (RCRA) Passed in 1976 and updated in 1984Passed in 1976 and updated in 1984

– Requires new landfills to build Requires new landfills to build safeguards lining the sides with clay or safeguards lining the sides with clay or plastic liners and must have systems for plastic liners and must have systems for collecting and treating Leachatecollecting and treating Leachate

– vent pipes must be installed to carry vent pipes must be installed to carry methane out of the land fill where it can methane out of the land fill where it can be released or burned to produce be released or burned to produce energyenergy

SafeguardsSafeguards this increases the cost of building a this increases the cost of building a

landfilllandfill -finding acceptable places to put a -finding acceptable places to put a

landfill is difficultlandfill is difficult -must be close to the city producing -must be close to the city producing

the waste but far enough from the waste but far enough from residents who object from having a residents who object from having a landfill near their homeslandfill near their homes

Building More LandfillsBuilding More Landfills although we can build safer landfills, we are although we can build safer landfills, we are

running out of space we are willing to running out of space we are willing to develop for new landfillsdevelop for new landfills

the materials we bury in landfills are not the materials we bury in landfills are not decomposing as fast as we can fill landfillsdecomposing as fast as we can fill landfills

even biodegradable materials take several even biodegradable materials take several years to decomposeyears to decompose

-the total number of active landfills in 1988 -the total number of active landfills in 1988 was 8,000 but by 2005 the total number was 8,000 but by 2005 the total number was less than 1,700 because many had was less than 1,700 because many had been filled to capacitybeen filled to capacity

the US EPA estimates that active landfills in the US EPA estimates that active landfills in 20 states will be filled to capacity within 10 20 states will be filled to capacity within 10 years years

IncineratorsIncinerators

one option for reducing the amount of one option for reducing the amount of solid waste is to– BURN IT in an incineratorsolid waste is to– BURN IT in an incinerator

-waste that is burned does not disappear, -waste that is burned does not disappear, they can reduce the weight of solid waste they can reduce the weight of solid waste by 75%, they cannot by 75%, they cannot

separate materials that should not be separate materials that should not be incinerated before burning the wasteincinerated before burning the waste

some items that should not be burned some items that should not be burned such as cleansers, batteries, and paints such as cleansers, batteries, and paints end up in the air as polluting gasesend up in the air as polluting gases

the ash left over must be disposed of in a the ash left over must be disposed of in a landfilllandfill

IncineratorsIncinerators

incinerated material takes up less space incinerated material takes up less space but the incinerated material can be more but the incinerated material can be more toxic than it was before being incineratedtoxic than it was before being incinerated

-even incinerators that have special air -even incinerators that have special air pollution control devices release small pollution control devices release small amounts of poisonous gases and particles amounts of poisonous gases and particles of toxic heavy metals into the airof toxic heavy metals into the air

IncineratorsIncinerators

What are 3 ways to reduce waste What are 3 ways to reduce waste going into landfills?going into landfills?– Produce less wasteProduce less waste– RecycleRecycle– Change the materials we useChange the materials we use

II. Reducing Solid WasteII. Reducing Solid Waste

II. Reducing Solid WasteII. Reducing Solid Waste

We have to find ways to effectively We have to find ways to effectively reduce solid wastereduce solid waste

-producing less waste, recycling, -producing less waste, recycling, changing the materials and products changing the materials and products we usewe use

--source reductionsource reduction – any change in – any change in design, manufacture, purchase, or use design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials or products to reduce their of materials or products to reduce their amount or toxicity before they become amount or toxicity before they become municipal solid wastemunicipal solid waste

A. Reducing Solid WasteA. Reducing Solid WasteIf we produce less waste we will reduce the If we produce less waste we will reduce the

expense and difficulty of collecting and expense and difficulty of collecting and disposing of itdisposing of it

Buying lessBuying less -as a consumer you can influence -as a consumer you can influence

manufacturers to reduce solid wastemanufacturers to reduce solid waste -buy products that last longer, or reusable -buy products that last longer, or reusable

products, you will encourage manufacturers products, you will encourage manufacturers to produce more of those products to produce more of those products

How to produce less wasteHow to produce less waste

1. Use both sides of a sheet of paper1. Use both sides of a sheet of paper 2. Carry a fork in your purse and don’t 2. Carry a fork in your purse and don’t

use plastic onesuse plastic ones Don’t by over packaged products- Don’t by over packaged products-

Lunchables, single serving PringlesLunchables, single serving Pringles Use cloth diapers (they have good ones Use cloth diapers (they have good ones

now!)now!) Make sturdier products that will last Make sturdier products that will last

longerlonger

buy dish towels instead of paper buy dish towels instead of paper towels or rechargeable batteries towels or rechargeable batteries instead of disposable onesinstead of disposable ones

-until 1965 nearly all bottled -until 1965 nearly all bottled beverages were sold in bottles beverages were sold in bottles designed to be returned to stores designed to be returned to stores when emptywhen empty

now there is a demand for disposable now there is a demand for disposable bottles, but if consumers began to use bottles, but if consumers began to use more refillable bottles, beverage more refillable bottles, beverage manufacturers would begin producing manufacturers would begin producing more of themmore of them

Lasting LongerLasting Longer

-manufacturers could also reduce -manufacturers could also reduce waste and conserve resources by waste and conserve resources by redesigning products to use less redesigning products to use less materialmaterial

-a return to products that last longer -a return to products that last longer or designed to be easily repaired or designed to be easily repaired would save resources and waste would save resources and waste disposal problemsdisposal problems

B. RecyclingB. Recycling Recycling- Recycling- the process of reusing the process of reusing

materials or recovering valuable materials materials or recovering valuable materials from waste or scrapfrom waste or scrap

-making products from recycled materials -making products from recycled materials usually saves energy, water, and other usually saves energy, water, and other resourcesresources

-95% less energy is needed to produce -95% less energy is needed to produce aluminum from recycled aluminum than aluminum from recycled aluminum than from orefrom ore

-70% less energy is needed to make paper -70% less energy is needed to make paper from recycled paper than from treesfrom recycled paper than from trees

Recycling: A Series of StepsRecycling: A Series of Steps -discarded materials need to be collected -discarded materials need to be collected

and sorted by typeand sorted by type -each type of material must be taken to a -each type of material must be taken to a

facility where it can be cleaned and made facility where it can be cleaned and made ready to use againready to use again

-the materials are used to manufacture -the materials are used to manufacture new productsnew products

-new products are sold to consumers-new products are sold to consumers -if more people buy products made from -if more people buy products made from

recycled materials, there will be an recycled materials, there will be an increase in the demand for these productsincrease in the demand for these products– TerracycleTerracycle

-demand encourages manufacturers to -demand encourages manufacturers to build facilities to make recycled productsbuild facilities to make recycled products

CompostingComposting -yard waste makes up more than 15% of a -yard waste makes up more than 15% of a

community’s solid wastecommunity’s solid waste -none of this should go to a landfill -none of this should go to a landfill

because it is biodegradable but it doesbecause it is biodegradable but it does -it along with fruit and vegetable -it along with fruit and vegetable

trimmings and table scraps will trimmings and table scraps will decompose in a compost piledecompose in a compost pile

-the more oxygen and moisture there is in -the more oxygen and moisture there is in a compost pile the more rapidly a compost pile the more rapidly microorganisms will break down the microorganisms will break down the biodegradable wastebiodegradable waste

--compostcompost- a dark brown, crumbly material - a dark brown, crumbly material made from decomposed plant and animal made from decomposed plant and animal matter that is spread on gardens and matter that is spread on gardens and fields to enrich the soil fields to enrich the soil

CompostingComposting Yard waste Yard waste

makes about makes about 1/5 1/5 thth of all of all municipal municipal waste (grass waste (grass clippings)clippings)

Why not have Why not have a compost a compost bin??bin??

CompostCompost

compost is rich in nutrients that help compost is rich in nutrients that help plants growplants grow

-some cities collect yard waste from -some cities collect yard waste from homes and compost it at a large, central homes and compost it at a large, central facilityfacility

-can be an effective way of handling waste -can be an effective way of handling waste from food-processing plants and from food-processing plants and restaurants, manure from animal feedlots, restaurants, manure from animal feedlots, and municipal sewage sludgeand municipal sewage sludge

-if all biodegradable wastes were -if all biodegradable wastes were composted, the amount of solid waste composted, the amount of solid waste going to landfills could be reducedgoing to landfills could be reduced

Cornstarch peanutsCornstarch peanuts

Take a cornstarch peanut and put it Take a cornstarch peanut and put it in water. What happens?in water. What happens?

Is this a good solution?Is this a good solution?

C. Changing the Materials C. Changing the Materials We UseWe Use

-simply changing the materials we use -simply changing the materials we use could eliminate much of the solid waste could eliminate much of the solid waste we producewe produce

single-serve drink boxes are made of foil, single-serve drink boxes are made of foil, cardboard, and plastic – hard to recycle cardboard, and plastic – hard to recycle because there is no easy way to separate because there is no easy way to separate the three componentsthe three components

-most of our waste could be recycled if -most of our waste could be recycled if such products were no longer mad and if such products were no longer mad and if all drinks came in recyclable containersall drinks came in recyclable containers

RecyclingRecycling recycling other common household products recycling other common household products

into new, usable products could eliminate into new, usable products could eliminate solid wastesolid waste

newspaper, egg cartons, catalogs, junk mail, newspaper, egg cartons, catalogs, junk mail, aluminum cansaluminum cans

Degradable plasticsDegradable plastics -several companies have made new kinds of -several companies have made new kinds of

plastics that are degradableplastics that are degradable photodegradable plasticsphotodegradable plastics – made so that – made so that

when it is left in the sun for many weeks, it when it is left in the sun for many weeks, it becomes weak and brittle and breaks into becomes weak and brittle and breaks into pieces pieces

green plasticgreen plastic green plasticgreen plastic – made by blending the – made by blending the

sugars in plants with a special chemical sugars in plants with a special chemical agent to make plasticagent to make plastic

-more environmentally friendly than other -more environmentally friendly than other plasticsplastics

-require 20-50% less energy than the -require 20-50% less energy than the production of regular plasticsproduction of regular plastics

Problems with degradable plasticsProblems with degradable plastics -the plastic parts are only reduced to -the plastic parts are only reduced to

smaller pieces, this can help reduce the smaller pieces, this can help reduce the harmful effects of plastic litterharmful effects of plastic litter

Problems with PlasticProblems with Plastic

-preventing the plastic from getting -preventing the plastic from getting caught in the throats or around the caught in the throats or around the necks of animalsnecks of animals

-plastic still doesn’t go away, the -plastic still doesn’t go away, the pieces just get spread around and pieces just get spread around and still remain in landfills for many yearsstill remain in landfills for many years

III. Hazardous WasteIII. Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Hazardous waste? What is waste? What is it?it?

– Wastes that are Wastes that are highly toxic and highly toxic and highly corrosive highly corrosive and can be and can be explosiveexplosive

– They can be solid, They can be solid, liquid or gaseousliquid or gaseous

Hazardous wasteHazardous waste

Hazardous wasteHazardous waste – any waste that – any waste that is a risk to the health of humans or is a risk to the health of humans or other living thingsother living things

A. Types of Hazardous WasteA. Types of Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste can be solids, Hazardous waste can be solids,

liquids, or gases.liquids, or gases. -contain toxic, corrosive, or explosive -contain toxic, corrosive, or explosive

materialsmaterials

Examples of Hazardous Examples of Hazardous WasteWaste

Dyes, Cleaners, Solvents Dyes, Cleaners, Solvents (Nail polish (Nail polish remover)remover)

Heavy metals: lead, mercury, zincHeavy metals: lead, mercury, zinc PCB’s, oil, plasticsPCB’s, oil, plastics PesticidesPesticides Radio active wasteRadio active waste

the methods used to dispose of hazardous the methods used to dispose of hazardous wastes are not as carefully planned as the wastes are not as carefully planned as the manufacturing processes that produced manufacturing processes that produced themthem

-improperly stored or discarded wastes -improperly stored or discarded wastes leak into the air, soil and groundwater leak into the air, soil and groundwater causing huge health problemscausing huge health problems

-Federal laws were enacted to clean up old -Federal laws were enacted to clean up old waste sites and regulate future waste waste sites and regulate future waste disposaldisposal

Toxic NightmareToxic Nightmare Love Canal – Niagra Falls, NYLove Canal – Niagra Falls, NY In 1942 a company dumped toxic waste In 1942 a company dumped toxic waste

for 11 years 22,000 tons.for 11 years 22,000 tons. The clay lining of the canal was The clay lining of the canal was

supposed to hold in the chemicals and supposed to hold in the chemicals and the dump was capped and covered with the dump was capped and covered with soilsoil

The land was then sold to an elementary The land was then sold to an elementary school & homes were built as well.school & homes were built as well.

No one were told- children’s health was No one were told- children’s health was affected, asthma, seizures, birth defectsaffected, asthma, seizures, birth defects

Love Canal

A Modern Day Ghost Town

B. Resource Conservation B. Resource Conservation and Recovery Actand Recovery Act

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires producers of hazardous (RCRA) requires producers of hazardous waste to keep records of how their wastes waste to keep records of how their wastes are handled from the time the wastes are are handled from the time the wastes are made to the time they are placed in an made to the time they are placed in an approved disposal facilityapproved disposal facility

-if wastes cause a problem in the future, the -if wastes cause a problem in the future, the producer is legally responsible for the producer is legally responsible for the problemproblem

-RCRA also requires that all hazardous -RCRA also requires that all hazardous waste treatment and disposal facilities are waste treatment and disposal facilities are build and operated according to standards build and operated according to standards that are designed to prevent the facilities that are designed to prevent the facilities from polluting the environmentfrom polluting the environment

C. The Superfund ActC. The Superfund Act

Because the safe disposal of hazardous Because the safe disposal of hazardous waste is expensive, companies that waste is expensive, companies that produce hazardous wastes may be produce hazardous wastes may be tempted to illegally dump them to save tempted to illegally dump them to save moneymoney

In 1980, Congress passed the In 1980, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) – Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) – also known as the Superfund Actalso known as the Superfund Act

-gave the EPA the right to sue the owners -gave the EPA the right to sue the owners of hazardous waste sites who had illegally of hazardous waste sites who had illegally dumped wastedumped waste

Superfund ActSuperfund Act

-the EPA gained the right to force the -the EPA gained the right to force the owners to pay for the cleanupowners to pay for the cleanup

-created a fund of money to pay for -created a fund of money to pay for cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste cleaning up abandoned hazardous waste sitessites

Cleaning up improperly discarded waste is Cleaning up improperly discarded waste is difficult and extremely expensivedifficult and extremely expensive

-many Superfund sites still need to be -many Superfund sites still need to be cleaned up – as of 2001 only 75 of 1,200 cleaned up – as of 2001 only 75 of 1,200 had been completedhad been completed

Coffee County SuperfundCoffee County Superfund METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONEMETHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE

– Inhalation:Inhalation: Causes irritation to the nose and throat. Concentrations above the TLV Causes irritation to the nose and throat. Concentrations above the TLV may cause headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and may cause headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and vomiting. Higher concentrations may cause central nervous system vomiting. Higher concentrations may cause central nervous system depression and unconsciousness. depression and unconsciousness. Ingestion:Ingestion: May produce abdominal pain, nausea. Aspiration into lungs can May produce abdominal pain, nausea. Aspiration into lungs can produce severe lung damage and is a medical emergency. Other produce severe lung damage and is a medical emergency. Other symptoms expected to parallel inhalation. symptoms expected to parallel inhalation. Skin Contact:Skin Contact: Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain. Causes irritation to skin. Symptoms include redness, itching, and pain. May be absorbed through the skin with possible systemic effects. May be absorbed through the skin with possible systemic effects. Eye Contact:Eye Contact: Vapors are irritating to the eyes. Splashes can produce painful irritation Vapors are irritating to the eyes. Splashes can produce painful irritation and eye damage. and eye damage. Chronic Exposure:Chronic Exposure: Prolonged skin contact may defat the skin and produce dermatitis. Prolonged skin contact may defat the skin and produce dermatitis. Chronic exposure may cause central nervous system effects. Chronic exposure may cause central nervous system effects. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance. substance.

ARNOLD ENGINEERING DEVELOP. CTR. (USAF), COFFEE CountyARNOLD ENGINEERING DEVELOP. CTR. (USAF), COFFEE CountyPolluting Surface WaterPolluting Surface Water

D. Hazardous Waste D. Hazardous Waste ManagementManagement

Each year, the US produces 252 million Each year, the US produces 252 million metric tons of hazardous wastemetric tons of hazardous waste

-it is difficult to guarantee that the disposal -it is difficult to guarantee that the disposal techniques we use today will not eventually techniques we use today will not eventually pollute our air, food, or waterpollute our air, food, or water

Preventing Hazardous WastePreventing Hazardous Waste -one way to prevent hazardous waste is to -one way to prevent hazardous waste is to

produce less of itproduce less of it -many manufacturers have discovered that -many manufacturers have discovered that

they can redesign manufacturing methods they can redesign manufacturing methods to produce less or no hazardous wasteto produce less or no hazardous waste

Solutions Solutions

-another way is to find a way to -another way is to find a way to reuse itreuse it

-companies often work together to -companies often work together to reduce waste – a company that has a reduce waste – a company that has a no use for a cleaning solvent may no use for a cleaning solvent may sell it to another company that has a sell it to another company that has a use for ituse for it

SolutionsSolutions

Conversion into Nonhazardous SubstancesConversion into Nonhazardous Substances -some types of wastes can be treated with -some types of wastes can be treated with

chemicals to make the wastes less chemicals to make the wastes less hazardoushazardous

-add a base – like lime – to an acid to -add a base – like lime – to an acid to neutralize itneutralize it

-cyanides which are extremely poisonous -cyanides which are extremely poisonous can be combined with oxygen to form can be combined with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and nitrogencarbon dioxide and nitrogen

-some can be treated biologically – -some can be treated biologically – microorganisms can eat it!microorganisms can eat it!

Hazardous Waste Hazardous Waste ManagementManagement

Produce Less – The best wayProduce Less – The best way Reuse – 2Reuse – 2ndnd Best Best Convert to non hazardous substances Convert to non hazardous substances

- Neutralize- Neutralize Incinerate – For someIncinerate – For some Land Disposal – Most utilized See Land Disposal – Most utilized See

Page 320Page 320

Land DisposalLand Disposal

-most hazardous waste is disposed of on -most hazardous waste is disposed of on landland

--deep-well injectiondeep-well injection – wastes are – wastes are pumped deep into the ground where they pumped deep into the ground where they are absorbed into a dry layer of rock below are absorbed into a dry layer of rock below the level of groundwaterthe level of groundwater

-after the wastes are buried below the -after the wastes are buried below the level of groundwater, the wastes are level of groundwater, the wastes are covered with cement to prevent covered with cement to prevent contamination of the groundwatercontamination of the groundwater

yy

Land Land Disposal Disposal Option 1Option 1– Deep Well Deep Well

Injection Injection of toxic of toxic wastewaste

Land Disposal Option 2Land Disposal Option 2

--surface impoundmentsurface impoundment – pond that has a – pond that has a sealed bottomsealed bottom

-wastes accumulate and settle to the bottom of -wastes accumulate and settle to the bottom of the pond, while water evaporates from the the pond, while water evaporates from the pond and leaves room to add more wastespond and leaves room to add more wastes

-hazardous waste in concentrated or solid form -hazardous waste in concentrated or solid form are often put in barrels and buried in landfillsare often put in barrels and buried in landfills

-hazardous waste landfills are similar to those -hazardous waste landfills are similar to those used for ordinary solid waste, but these have used for ordinary solid waste, but these have extra safety precautions to prevent leakageextra safety precautions to prevent leakage

Land Land Disposal Disposal Option 2Option 2– Surface Surface

impoundmeimpoundmentnt BarrelsBarrels Lined PondsLined Ponds

Land DisposalLand Disposal

in theory, if properly designed, built, in theory, if properly designed, built, and maintained they should provide and maintained they should provide safe ways to dispose of hazardous safe ways to dispose of hazardous

wastes, however if not properly wastes, however if not properly maintained, can develop leaks that maintained, can develop leaks that may result in contamination of the may result in contamination of the air, soil, or groundwaterair, soil, or groundwater

Biologically Treating Hazardous Biologically Treating Hazardous WasteWaste

-some hazardous waste can be absorbed -some hazardous waste can be absorbed or broken down or their toxicity can be or broken down or their toxicity can be reduced when they are treated with reduced when they are treated with biological and chemical agentsbiological and chemical agents

-certain bacterial can be used to clean -certain bacterial can be used to clean up an area in the environment that has up an area in the environment that has been contaminated with hazardous been contaminated with hazardous wastewaste

-such as crude oil, PCBs, and -such as crude oil, PCBs, and cyanidecyanide

Biological ControlBiological Control

-scientists grow the bacteria in a lab -scientists grow the bacteria in a lab and apply to the contaminated area and apply to the contaminated area to break down the hazardous to break down the hazardous substancessubstances

-plants that absorb heavy metals can -plants that absorb heavy metals can also be planted in contaminated also be planted in contaminated areasareas

Incinerating Hazardous WasteIncinerating Hazardous Waste -some hazardous waste can be disposed of -some hazardous waste can be disposed of

by burning in specially designed incineratorsby burning in specially designed incinerators -most expensive form of waste disposal -most expensive form of waste disposal

because they require a lot of energy to because they require a lot of energy to operate as well as pollution-control devices, operate as well as pollution-control devices, need to be monitored carefully so that need to be monitored carefully so that hazardous gases and particles are not hazardous gases and particles are not released into the airreleased into the air

-the leftover ash needs to be buried in a -the leftover ash needs to be buried in a hazardous waste landfillhazardous waste landfill

-when we put hazardous waste into disposal -when we put hazardous waste into disposal facilities for long-term storage, wastes do facilities for long-term storage, wastes do not disappear, instead they must be closely not disappear, instead they must be closely monitoredmonitored

Exporting Hazardous WasteExporting Hazardous Waste radioactive wastes from nuclear reactors are radioactive wastes from nuclear reactors are

particularly difficult – the only way to make them particularly difficult – the only way to make them non hazardous is to let them sit for hundreds of non hazardous is to let them sit for hundreds of thousands of yearsthousands of years

Exporting Hazardous Waste – Walter Hill Middle Exporting Hazardous Waste – Walter Hill Middle Point landfillPoint landfill

-Until recently, only local laws regulated waste -Until recently, only local laws regulated waste disposal in the US, so companies would get rid of disposal in the US, so companies would get rid of them by sending them to landfills in other states them by sending them to landfills in other states

-they are also exported through international -they are also exported through international trade agreementstrade agreements

-because it is inexpensive-because it is inexpensive-because there may be a facility in another -because there may be a facility in another

country that specializes in treating, disposing of, country that specializes in treating, disposing of, or recycling a particular hazardous wasteor recycling a particular hazardous waste

E. Hazardous Waste at E. Hazardous Waste at HomeHome

Everyday household products can Everyday household products can also create hazardous wastealso create hazardous waste

-chemicals including household paint, -chemicals including household paint, pesticides, and batteries all create pesticides, and batteries all create hazardous wastehazardous waste

Hazardous material poured down the Hazardous material poured down the drain or put in the trash end up in drain or put in the trash end up in solid waste landfills – they should be solid waste landfills – they should be in a hazardous waste landfillin a hazardous waste landfill

Disposing of Household Disposing of Household Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

-more and more cities around the -more and more cities around the country have begun to provide country have begun to provide collection for household hazardous collection for household hazardous wastewaste

-once or twice a year, or there is a -once or twice a year, or there is a place to take itplace to take it

-trained workers sort the waste and -trained workers sort the waste and send some for recycling and pack send some for recycling and pack other materials into barrels for disposalother materials into barrels for disposal– -used batteries and motor oil are recycled-used batteries and motor oil are recycled– -paint may be blended and used for city -paint may be blended and used for city

park maintenance or to clean up graffitipark maintenance or to clean up graffiti

I don’t produce hazardous I don’t produce hazardous waste…waste… Not an industry problem aloneNot an industry problem alone

– PaintPaint– PesticidesPesticides– BatteriesBatteries

– End up in sewers, landfills, your backyard. End up in sewers, landfills, your backyard. Household hazardous waste collection daysHousehold hazardous waste collection days

– Find yearly schedule at Find yearly schedule at http://www.state.tn.us/environment/swm/hhw/hazcoll.shthttp://www.state.tn.us/environment/swm/hhw/hazcoll.shtmlml

– Saturday, May 22, 20010 Saturday, May 22, 20010 Coffee County Coffee County – 8:00 - 1:00 Solid Waste Dept. 2180 8:00 - 1:00 Solid Waste Dept. 2180

Murfreesboro Hwy – Manchester (931) 723-Murfreesboro Hwy – Manchester (931) 723-51395139

Motor OilMotor Oil

-it is illegal to pour used motor oil on -it is illegal to pour used motor oil on the ground or in the trashthe ground or in the trash

-contributes to the most oil pollution -contributes to the most oil pollution in the oceanin the ocean

-take to an automobile service -take to an automobile service station, or put in a designated oil-station, or put in a designated oil-collection receptacle collection receptacle

Motor OilMotor Oil

2L of used motor oil can make 1 2L of used motor oil can make 1 million gallons of freshwater million gallons of freshwater undrinkable if it makes it into an undrinkable if it makes it into an aquiferaquifer

Don’t pour it out!!! Take it to the Don’t pour it out!!! Take it to the service station to be recycled. They service station to be recycled. They may charge a small fee but it’s worth may charge a small fee but it’s worth it.it.

AssignmentAssignment

Inventory your home for hazardous Inventory your home for hazardous wastes. Look for cleaners, oil, weed wastes. Look for cleaners, oil, weed killer,paint…killer,paint…

List them and present a plan for List them and present a plan for proper disposal of each ON YOUR proper disposal of each ON YOUR GARBOLOGY WS. GARBOLOGY WS. – (usually listed on the back of the container)(usually listed on the back of the container)– Take ruined unusable chemicals to the hazardous waste Take ruined unusable chemicals to the hazardous waste

fair this Saturdayfair this Saturday

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