WASTEEcoEd Upper Elementary Research Program

April 3rd, 2014Presented by Michelle Laura Zeliph

What is waste?Waste are items we don’t need and discard.

Who produces waste?IndividualsOfficesSchoolsIndustriesHospitalsAll living things- but they make a lot less than

humans!

Types of Waste• Liquid• Solid• Hazardous• Organic• Recyclable • Electronic

Where does it go?Solid waste goes primarily to landfills

What makes a landfill different?

Problems with landfillsRunning out of space to build new landfills

Filling up existing landfills faster than we can build new ones

Sometimes they leak and can cause pollution problems

Trash in landfills breaks down REALLY slowly!

Video Clips

Staten Island Landfill

Landfill Problems

Other options• Incineration

• Waste-to-energy plants

• Recycling

• Composting

What’s the difference between an incinerator and a waste-to-energy plant?

IncineratorsDo not create energy

Do not always remove hazardous or recyclable materials

Cause air pollution

Waste-to-Energy Plants

Burn waste to create heat

Heat used to make steam

Steam used to make energy

Filters air

RecyclingOnly 2% of waste in the U.S. is recycled!

Recycling helps us-• Conserve natural resources• Save energy• Protect the environment

Composting40% of our garbage is made up of compostable kitchen and garden waste!

Advantage of composting-Composted materials enrich the soil and plantsIt can be done safely in your own backyardIt saves space in landfills by reusing organic

materials

Closed Loop of Compost

Final Thoughts from Bill NyeRethink Waste