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ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY Unit 3-3a Managing Solid Waste

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY Unit 3-3a Managing Solid Waste. Garbage, Garbage Everywhere!. Over 25 million tons of garbage are generated everyday in America! Solid Waste – Trash typically discarded in landfills; It can be industrial or municipal (household) Paper Food Furniture

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ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY Unit 3-3a Managing Solid Waste

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  1. ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITYUnit 3-3a ManagingSolid Waste

  2. Garbage, Garbage Everywhere! • Over 25 million tons of garbageare generated everyday in America! • Solid Waste – Trash typically discarded in landfills;It can be industrial or municipal (household) • Paper • Food • Furniture • Electronics • Automobiles • As the human population and our waste continueto grow, land becomes a precious resource.

  3. NIMBY We each throw away about four pounds of garbage every day and we don’t really care as long as they take it away! Landfill – A location where waste is permanently stored; Covered with dirt and/or plastic Landfills must safeguard against…Leachate – The liquid runoff ofa landfill that spreads pollutants Another option is…Incinerator – Burns solid waste;Can turn 1000 lbs of trash into 150 lbs of ash Where does the other 850 lbs of waste end up?

  4. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Sometimes our waste can be beneficial…Mount Trashmore – A landfillthat was converted into a park When we are responsible withour waste, solutions are easier. But if we are careless withour trash, our pollutionbecomes unmanageable! Litter from many sourceswashed out to sea creating…The Great Pacific Garbage Patch – A tremendous field of waste (plastic) circling in the Pacific Ocean

  5. Managing Our Waste There are other strategies for dealing with waste… Recycling – Recovering valuable material from waste; Although it can be difficult andexpensive to collect and separate,~30% of our waste is recycled. Other waste might be…Biodegradable – Waste brokendown by biological processes Under ideal conditions, we can use…Composting –Breaks down biodegradable waste quicker How can biodegradable waste from a compost be used?

  6. Let’s Review… What have you learned in this unit? List five types of municipalsolid waste from your home. How can leachate from a landfillpollute your drinking water? What are the problems withincinerating solid waste? Describe how landfills can be used once they are filledto capacity. What happens to the leaves that fall fromthe trees in a forest?

  7. ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITYUnit 3-3b Hazardous Waste

  8. What Makes Waste Hazardous? • Hazardous Waste – Any waste that is a risk to human health or the environment; Characterized by… • Toxic – Poisonous; Chlorine & iron • Corrosive – Breaks down matter; Acids & bases • Flammable – Can easily ignite; Fuels & explosives • Reactive – Cause unwanted reactions when mixed with other substances; Sodium • Are hazardous wastes common in your home?

  9. Sources Of Hazardous Waste Hazardous waste is a necessity in our modern society. Households create many types of hazardous waste; Ex: Paint, batteries, cleaners, antifreeze & motor oil Industry creates many wastesas well including chemicalby-products If these wastes end upin landfills, they can bevery harmful! How should you disposed of hazardous materials?

  10. Who Monitors Society’s Waste In New Jersey there are two agencies… Environmental Protection Agency (federal) NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection (state) These agencies enforces lawsthat protect human health &safeguard the environment. Superfund Act – Forces pollutersto pay for illegally dumped waste There are over 1,000 superfundsites in America and over 100 areright here in New Jersey! Why do companies risk dumping waste illegally?

  11. Waste Never Disappears! • What do recycling centers do with hazardous waste? • Deep-Well Injection – Pumped into rock below groundwater • Surface Impoundment – A toxic pond with a sealed bottom • What’s even better? • Prevent Waste – Society can find better alternatives • Convert Waste – Using either biological or chemical reactions to produce better waste • Remember that waste never disappearsand dilution is no solution to pollution!

  12. Let’s Review… What have you learned in this unit? Describe four types of hazardous waste. Where can hazardous wastebe found in your home? What should industry andhome do with hazardous waste? What are the two goals ofthe EPA and the NJDEP? Since waste never disappears,what must ultimately be donewith hazardous waste?

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