Environmental Science Second Semester Mr. Rogers

1. Environmental Science Second SemesterMr. Rogers

2. Waste and Recyclables

3. Land

4. Resources

5. Energy

6. Air

7. Water

8. How We Deal With Waste

9. The Waste Stream – The flow of waste produced by domestic, industrial, commercial, and construction refuse.

10. Open Dumps Used in most developing countries Exposed to wind, rain, rats, etc. Home to people trying to survive Produces disease and toxic chemicals that leak into the ground

11. Ocean Dumping Each year 55 million lbs. of trash are dumped into the ocean Includes refuse, industrial waste, and sewage (yummy) Many environmental concerns with toxic chemicals and discarded nets

13. Landfills Waste is buried in containers Covered daily to avoid smells and discourage vermin A plastic lining is used to secure leachate Sites are geologically sound Cheap (in places) Eventually all landfills break down or leak Emit methane which is a powerful greenhouse gas (some can be captured) Most items can be recycled or used for other purposes

15. Export Some is shipped to less developed countries (not standard) A source of economic gain for some states

16. Hazardous/Toxic Waste

17. Hazardous Waste Definition • Hazardous Waste – Any discarded material, liquid or solid, that contains substances known to be: • Fatal to humans in low doses • Carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic to humans • Ignitable with a flash point less than 60oC • Corrosive • Explosive or highly reactive

18. Statistics • Industry in the U.S. generates 265 million metric tons of hazardous waste each year • That is roughly one ton for every person in the country • 40 million of that (15%) is released into the air, water, and land each year • Chemical and petroleum industries are the biggest producers

19. Hazardous Waste Disposal Most is recycled or converted to nonhazardous forms Some is stored on site where if improperly done, poses a huge environmental threat to the public RCRA requires extensive record keeping of wastes CERCLA requires rapid cleanup of abandoned sites Toxic Release Inventory requires facilities to report their hazardous wastes generated

20. Options For Waste Management • 1. Produce Less Waste • Many businesses have modified their manufacturing to produce less toxic waste. Saves money by using fewer raw materials and energy. • 2. Convert To Less Hazardous Substances • Toxins can be isolated, diluted, or absorbed to the point where they are non-toxic • Toxins can be incinerated (controversial) • Microorganisms can be used to absorb toxins • 3. Special Landfills For Toxic Waste With Testing Wells

21. Homework for Monday • 1. Read “What a Long, Strange Trip It Has Been” on page 526. • Write a response • 2. Answer the following “Questions For Review” on page 545. • 1, 2, 3, 4, 9

22. Reducing the Waste Stream Recycling Composting Demanufacturing Reuse

23. Recycling Reprocessing of materials Some are made into the same material, some are made into completely new materials

24. Benefits of Recycling • Saves money, energy, raw materials, and land space • Reduces pollution • Creates responsibility • Can bring revenue • Incentives

25. Problems With Recycling • Time and Energy • Sorting in some cases • Fluctuating costs • Different types of plastics need to be sorted • Can contaminate the rest

26. Composting Breakdown of organic matter under aerobic conditions The end product adds nutrients, aids water retention, slows soil erosion and lessens dependence on fertilizers

28. Earth Tub

29. Demanufacturing The disassembly and recycling of obsolete products Average shelf life for computers, TV’s, etc. is 5 years Appliances = 12 years Many have harmful resources which are valuable

30. Reuse Saves time, money and energy in creating a new product Auto Parts Home Furnishings Drinking Containers