Solid and Hazardous WasteSolid and Hazardous Waste

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

13th Edition

Chapter 21

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

13th Edition

Chapter 21Dr. Richard ClementsChattanooga State Technical Community CollegeModified by Charlotte Kirkpatrick

Dr. Richard ClementsChattanooga State Technical Community CollegeModified by Charlotte Kirkpatrick

Key ConceptsKey Concepts

Types and amounts of wastesTypes and amounts of wastes

Methods to reduce wasteMethods to reduce waste

Methods of dealing with wastesMethods of dealing with wastes

Hazardous waste regulation in the USHazardous waste regulation in the US

Wasting ResourcesWasting ResourcesIndustrial and agricultural wasteIndustrial and agricultural wasteMunicipal solid wasteMunicipal solid waste

US: 1,700 lb/person/year: (54% in landfills, 30% recycled or composted and 16% incinerated)

US: 1,700 lb/person/year: (54% in landfills, 30% recycled or composted and 16% incinerated)

Fig. 21-2p. 526

Fig. 21-2p. 526

Hazardous WastesHazardous WastesContains one or more of 39 toxic,

mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic compounds at levels that exceed established limits: (see sect. 11-3)

Contains one or more of 39 toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic or teratogenic compounds at levels that exceed established limits: (see sect. 11-3)

Catches fire easily: gasoline, paints, solventsCatches fire easily: gasoline, paints, solvents

Reactive, explosive or able to release toxic fumes: acids, bases, ammonia, and bleach

Reactive, explosive or able to release toxic fumes: acids, bases, ammonia, and bleach

Corrodes metal containers: industrial cleaning agents, oven and drain cleaners

Corrodes metal containers: industrial cleaning agents, oven and drain cleaners

Not Hazardous WastesNot Hazardous Wastes Radioactive wastes Radioactive wastes Household wastes Household wastes Mining wastes Mining wastes Oil and gas drilling wastes Oil and gas drilling wastes Liquids containing organic hydrocarbons Liquids containing organic hydrocarbons Cement kiln dust Cement kiln dust

See Table 21-1 p. 527See Table 21-1 p. 527

<100 kg (220 lb) per month <100 kg (220 lb) per month Therefore hazardous waste laws do not

regulate 95% of the country’s hazardous waste

Therefore hazardous waste laws do not regulate 95% of the country’s hazardous waste

Producing Less Waste and PollutionProducing Less Waste and Pollution

Waste management (high waste approach)see list page 526

Waste management (high waste approach)see list page 526

Burying, burning, shipping Burying, burning, shipping

Waste prevention (low waste approach) Waste prevention (low waste approach)

Reduce, reuse, recycle Reduce, reuse, recycle

Chemical or biological treatment Chemical or biological treatment

Burial Burial

Dealing with Material Use and WastesDealing with Material Use and Wastes

Fig. 21-3p. 528

Dealing with Hazardous WastesDealing with Hazardous Wastes

Fig. 21-4p. 530

Solutions: Cleaner ProductionSolutions: Cleaner Production

Ecoindustrial revolutionEcoindustrial revolution

Industrial ecology: cleaner production see p. 536

Closed material cyclesWastes become raw materials

Industrial ecology: cleaner production see p. 536

Closed material cyclesWastes become raw materials

Biomimicry see fig. 21-5 p.532Biomimicry see fig. 21-5 p.532

Refer to Solutions p. 533Refer to Solutions p. 533

Figure 21-5Page 532Figure 21-5Page 532

Su

rplu

s

Su

lfur

Pharmaceuticalplant

Local farmers

Fish farming

Cementmanufacturer

Area homes

Wallboardfactory

Greenhouses

Oil refinery

Sulfuric acidproducer

Electricpowerplant

Sludge

Sludge

Waste

Heat

Waste

Heat

Waste

Heat

WasteHeat

Was

te

Hea

t

Surplus

Natural gas

Surplus

Natural gas

Was

te

Cal

ciu

m s

ulf

ate

Industrial EcosystemWaste from one business become the raw materials for another

Solutions: Selling Services Instead of Things (p. 533-534)

Solutions: Selling Services Instead of Things (p. 533-534)

Service-flow economy instead of materials flow

Service-flow economy instead of materials flow Uses a minimum amount of material Uses a minimum amount of material Products last longer Products last longer Products are easier to maintain, repair,

and recycle

Products are easier to maintain, repair, and recycle

Customized services needed by customers

Customized services needed by customers

See Individuals Matter p. 534See Individuals Matter p. 534

ReuseReuse Extends resource supplies Extends resource supplies Maintains high-quality matter Maintains high-quality matter Reduces energy use Reduces energy use

Refillable beverage containers Refillable beverage containers Reusable shipping containers and

grocery bags

Reusable shipping containers and grocery bags

See Solutions p. 535See Solutions p. 535

Bad news: we continue to replace reusable material with throwaway materials

Bad news: we continue to replace reusable material with throwaway materials

RecyclingRecycling

Primary (closed-loop): reproduce the same product

Primary (closed-loop): reproduce the same product

Post consumer waste: wastes discarded by the consumer

Post consumer waste: wastes discarded by the consumer

Secondary or downcycling (open loop): Reproduce a new product

Secondary or downcycling (open loop): Reproduce a new product Fig. 21-6 p. 535Fig. 21-6 p. 535

Characteristics of Recyclable MaterialsCharacteristics of Recyclable Materials

Easily isolated from other wasteEasily isolated from other waste

Available in large quantitiesAvailable in large quantities

Valuable Valuable

Pay-as-you-throw garbage collectionPay-as-you-throw garbage collection

Benefits of RecyclingBenefits of Recycling

Fig. 21-7 p. 536

Recycling in the USRecycling in the US

Centralized recycling of mixed waste (MRFs)

Centralized recycling of mixed waste (MRFs)

Separated recyclingSeparated recycling

Economic benefitsEconomic benefits

Increasing recycling in the USIncreasing recycling in the US

See Case Study p. 540See Case Study p. 540

Outsideusers

Pipeline

Shredder

Energy recovery(steam andelectricity)

Incinerator(paper, plastics,

rubber, food,yard waste)

Food, grass, leaves

Separator

Metals Rubber Glass Plastics Paper Residue Compost

Recycled to primary manufacturers

Landfill and

reclaimingdisturbed

land

Fertilizer

Consumer (user)

Figure 21-8Page 538Figure 21-8Page 538

Materials Recovery Facility (MRF’s)

Case Studies: Recycling Aluminum, Wastepaper, and PlasticsCase Studies: Recycling Aluminum, Wastepaper, and Plastics

40% of aluminum recycled in US40% of aluminum recycled in US

Recycled aluminum uses over 90% fewer resources

Recycled aluminum uses over 90% fewer resources

Paper: preconsumer vs. postconsumer recycling

Paper: preconsumer vs. postconsumer recycling

10% or less of plastic recycled in US10% or less of plastic recycled in US

Plastics can be very difficult to recyclePlastics can be very difficult to recycle

Detoxifying WastesDetoxifying Wastes

BioremediationBioremediation

Microorganisms break down wastesMicroorganisms break down wastes

PhytoremediationPhytoremediation

Removal of wastes from the soilRemoval of wastes from the soil

Burning WastesBurning Wastes

Mass burn incineration Mass burn incineration

Air pollution

Air pollution

Waste to energy

Waste to energy

Fig. 21-11 p. 543Fig. 21-11 p. 543

Wastes to Energy IncineratorWastes to Energy Incinerator

Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10Slide 10

Power plant

Steam

Turbine GeneratorElectricity

Crane

Furnace

Boiler

Wetscrubber

Electrostaticprecipitator

Conveyor

Water Bottomash

Conven-tionallandfill

Wastetreatment

Hazardouswastelandfill

Dirtywater

Waste pit

Smokestack

Flyash

Figure 21-10Page 543

Burying WastesBurying Wastes

Sanitary landfillSanitary landfill

Leachate collectionLeachate collection

Monitoring wellsMonitoring wells

Emit greenhouse gases (CO2 and methane)

Emit greenhouse gases (CO2 and methane)

Space near where waste is producedSpace near where waste is produced

Sanitary LandfillSanitary Landfill

Fig. 21-12p. 544

Sanitary LandfillSanitary Landfill

Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13Slide 13

Advantages

No open burning

Little odor

Low groundwaterpollution if sitedproperly

Can be builtquickly

Low operatingcosts

Can handle largeamounts of waste

Filled land canbe used for otherpurposes

No shortage oflandfill space inmany areas

Disadvantages

Noise and traffic

Dust

Air pollution fromtoxic gases andvolatile organiccompoundsreleasegreenhousegases (methaneand CO2)

Groundwatercontamination

Slowdecompositionof wastes

Encourages waste production

Eventually leaksand cancontaminategroundwater

Figure 21-13Page 545

Deep-well Disposal of Liquid Hazardous WasteDeep-well Disposal of Liquid Hazardous Waste

Fig. 21-14p. 546

Hazardous Waste LandfillHazardous Waste Landfill

Fig. 21-16p. 547

Above Ground Hazardous Waste DisposalAbove Ground Hazardous Waste Disposal

Fig. 21-17p. 547

Surface ImpoundmentsSurface Impoundments

Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15Slide 15

Advantages Disadvantages

Inexpensive

Simple technology

Can store wastesindefinitely withsecure doubleliners

Wastes can beeasily retrievedif problemsdevelop

Groundwatercontaminationfrom leaking liners(or no lining)

Air pollution fromvolatile organiccompounds

Overflow fromflooding

Disruption andleakage fromearthquakes

Promotes wasteproduction

Figure 21-15Page 546

Excavated depressions such as ponds, pits, or lagoons for disposing of liquid hazardous wastes

Exporting WastesExporting Wastes

Shipping to developing countriesShipping to developing countries

Potentially huge profits for exportersPotentially huge profits for exporters

Basel Convention on Hazardous WasteBasel Convention on Hazardous Waste

Many developing countries refusing wastes

Many developing countries refusing wastes

Case Studies: LeadCase Studies: Lead Lead poisoning (neurotoxin) major

problem in children; leads to death and survivors can suffer form palsy, partial paralysis, blindness, and mental retardation

Lead poisoning (neurotoxin) major problem in children; leads to death and survivors can suffer form palsy, partial paralysis, blindness, and mental retardation

Primary Sources of LeadPrimary Sources of Lead Leaded gasoline (phased out by 1986) Leaded gasoline (phased out by 1986) Lead paint (banned in 1970) Lead paint (banned in 1970)

Lead in plastics Lead in plastics Lead in plumbing Lead in plumbing

Progress is being made in reducing lead Progress is being made in reducing lead

Sources of LeadSources of Lead

Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18Slide 18

Lead in airfrom industrial

incinerationand past auto

emissions

Lead insoil and in streets

Waterservicemain

Lead inpaint

Lead glazeon ceramics

Lead in waterfrom pipes,fixtures, andservice lines

Toy andfloor dust

Lead in dust

Lead in food

Service line

Undergroundpump

for well

Figure 21-18Page 548

or

Case Studies: MercuryCase Studies: Mercury

Vaporized elemental Mercury Vaporized elemental Mercury

Fish contaminated with methyl mercury Fish contaminated with methyl mercury

Natural inputs Natural inputs

Emission control Emission control

Prevention of contamination Prevention of contamination

Mercury CyclingMercury Cycling

Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19Slide 19

Figure 21-19Page 550

AIRWINDS PRECIPITATION WINDS PRECIPITATION

WATER

SEDIMENT

BIOMAGNIFICATIONIN FOOD CHAIN

Human sources Elementalmercury

vapor(Hg)

Inorganicmercury

and acids(Hg2+)

Inorganic mercuryand acids

(Hg2+)

Large fish

Small fish

Phytoplankton Zooplankton

Elementalmercury

liquid (Hg)

Inorganicmercury

(Hg2+)

Organicmercury(CH3Hg)

De

po

sit

ion

Va

po

rizatio

n

De

po

sit

ion

De

po

sitio

n

Settles out

Bacteria

Bacteria and acids

Settles out

Oxidation

Incinerator Coal-burning plant

Photo-chemical oxidation

Hg and SO2 Hg2+ and acids Hg2+ and acids

Naturalsources

Elementalmercury

(Hg)

Inorganicmercury

(Hg2+)

Organicmercury(CH3Hg)

Bacteria

Bacteria

Oxidation

Settles out

Case Studies: ChlorineCase Studies: Chlorine Environmentally damaging and

potential health threat

Environmentally damaging and potential health threat

Sources of ChlorineSources of Chlorine Plastics Plastics Solvents Solvents Paper and pulp bleaching Paper and pulp bleaching Water disinfection Water disinfection

Many safer and cheaper substitutes are available

Many safer and cheaper substitutes are available

Case Studies: DioxinsCase Studies: Dioxins

Potentially highly toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons

Potentially highly toxic chlorinated hydrocarbons

Waste incineration Waste incineration

Fireplaces Fireplaces

Coal-fired power plants Coal-fired power plants

Paper production Paper production

Sources of DioxinsSources of Dioxins

Sewage sludge Sewage sludge

Hazardous Waste Regulation in the United StatesHazardous Waste Regulation in the United States Resource Conservation and Recovery Act:

ID hazardous wastes and set standards, firms with more than 100 kg of hazardous waste must be permitted, cradle to grave monitoring

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: ID hazardous wastes and set standards, firms with more than 100 kg of hazardous waste must be permitted, cradle to grave monitoring

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: a.k.a. Superfund Act National Priority ListPolluter-pays principle

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: a.k.a. Superfund Act National Priority ListPolluter-pays principle

Brownfields: abandoned industrial and commercial sites that in most cases are contaminated: clean up and converted

Brownfields: abandoned industrial and commercial sites that in most cases are contaminated: clean up and converted

See Solutions p. 554See Solutions p. 554

Solutions: Achieving a Low-Waste SocietySolutions: Achieving a Low-Waste SocietyLocal grassroots action: bottom up

change to fight environmental injustice

Local grassroots action: bottom up change to fight environmental injustice

POP’s Treaty: International ban on 12 persistent organic pollutants (the dirty dozen) see list p. 555

POP’s Treaty: International ban on 12 persistent organic pollutants (the dirty dozen) see list p. 555

Cleaner productionCleaner productionImproved resource productivityImproved resource productivityService flow economiesService flow economies

Four Key Principles to Live byFour Key Principles to Live by

• Everything is connected

• There is no away for our wastes

• Dilution is not always the solution to pollution

• The best and cheapest way to deal with waste and pollution is to produce less of them and then reuse and recycle most of the materials we use.

• Everything is connected

• There is no away for our wastes

• Dilution is not always the solution to pollution

• The best and cheapest way to deal with waste and pollution is to produce less of them and then reuse and recycle most of the materials we use.