Solid Wastes Prior to 1900, most waste disposal involved burying waste in ground
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Transcript of Solid Wastes Prior to 1900, most waste disposal involved burying waste in ground
I. Solid Wastes
• Prior to 1900, most waste disposal involved burying waste in ground
• Perception of garbage dumps as breeding grounds for disease incinerators
• Burning garbage common until more stringent emissions standards in 1970’s
• Incineration replaced by newer landfills• Recently: Modern incinerators w/emissions controls
A. Landfills• Decreasing in number
• 7924 in 1988 vs. 1908 in 2009• Becoming larger
• Total capacity didn’t change between 1988 & 2002• Becoming increasingly full (?)• Possible sources of toxic chemicals leaching into
ground water (older landfills especially)• Increasingly difficult to find new sites (NIMBY)
Source: EPA
Source: EPA
Science, Aug 10 2012
Science, Aug 10 2012
Source: EPA
I. Solid Wastes
B. Alternatives1. Source reduction
EPA
I. Solid Wastes
B. Alternatives1. Source reduction
• Pro: • Reduced waste stream• Increased production efficiency ($$)• Energy conservation• Reduced GHG emissions
• Con: • Retooling of some infrastructure• Changing of consumer behavior
I. Solid Wastes
B. Alternatives2. Recycling
• Reuse sometimes included• Reprocessing of materials• Why recycle?