Deck 21: Solid, Toxic, and Hazardous Waste

Question 1

What is composting, and how does it fit into solid waste disposal

Answer 1

The major types of materials that are recycled from municipal waste are-
• Auto batteries
• Steel cans
• Aluminum packaging
• Paper
• Glass containers
• Plastic containers
• Tires
• Kitchen waste
• Yard waste
Yard wastes are generally composted as it can be recycled. Composting is the putrefaction of the waste aerobically that reduces the organic debris to the nutrient-rich amendment. The organic materials in the yards are leaves, grass, and other food wastes that are converted into humus.
Composting fits into the solid waste disposal because it is a method of disposing of the solid waste as they organic materials, such as garden wastes, food wastes, and sewage sludge from treatment plants; junked cars; worn-out furniture; and consumer products of all types. Composting is a solid waste, thus the disposal of the waste should be reduced and recycled so it fits into solid waste disposal.

Question 2

Describe some ways that we can reduce the waste stream to avoid or reduce disposal problems.

Answer 2

The methods that can shrink the waste stream are-
• Recycling the garbages- reprocessing the discarded material
• Composting the waste
• Disassembly and recycling of products like TV, computers, electronics, and appliances
• Using again of the materials is a more effective method than recycling
Every individual must care and respond against the methods of disposal of waste.
The following steps can be taken by the people to reduce the water stream and disposal problems-
• Foods that come in less packaging can be bought
• Foods and vegetables can be bought from the farmers using their containers
• Washable and refillable beverage containers can be carried to the meetings or convenience stores
• Reusable containers like glass or metals should be chosen from the grocery store
• Few extra cents can be paid for the plastic containers for its recycling processes
• Cans, bottles, papers, and plastics can be separated for the recycling
• The bottles, aluminum foil, plastic bags can be cleaned and be reused again for the personal use
• Garden waste, leaves, and grass clippings can be composted

Question 3

List ten toxic substances in your home and how you would dispose of them.

Answer 3

The wastes that are produced from the houses can be toxic and hazardous, thus harmful for human beings so it is necessary to dispose of them carefully and safely. The hazardous waste is any discarded material, liquid, or solid that contains substances known as-
• Fatal to humans or animals in low doses
• Toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic to humans
• Flammable with flashpoints less than 60ºC
• Corrosive
• Highly reactive
The ten toxic items that are generated from the houses and their disposal methods are follows-
• Cleaning agents with ammonia or bleach- needs to be drained from flush to the sewage system
• Disinfectants, glass cleaner, toilet cleaner should be drained from the flush to the sewage system
• Cosmetics empty boxes need to be stored separately in the trash
• Cans of grocery items should be stored in dry trash
• Paint thinner, nail polish remover needs to be saved and deliver to the waste collection center
• Cleaning agents are also delivered to the waste collection center
• Metals like mercury from thermometers, nickel, and cadmium from the batteries should be saved and then delivered to the center
• Poisons cans like bug spray, mothballs should be saved and delivered to the collection center
• Light bulbs, electronic wastes should be delivered to the collection center
• Other chemicals like paint, rust remover should be delivered to the collection center.

Question 4

What are brownfields and why do cities want to redevelop them

Question 5

A toxic waste disposal site has been proposed for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Many tribal members oppose this plan, but some favor it because of the jobs and income it will bring to an area with 70 percent unemployment. If local people choose immediate survival over long-term health, should we object or intervene

Question 6

What societal problems are associated with waste disposal Why do people object to waste handling in their neighborhoods

Question 7

As people become aware of waste disposal problems in their communities, more people are recycling more materials. Some things are easy to recycle, such as newsprint, office paper, or aluminum drink cans. Other things are harder to classify. Most of us give up pretty quickly and throw things in the trash if we have to think too hard about how to recycle them.

Take a poll to find out how many people in your class know how to recycle the items in the table shown here. Once you have taken your poll, convert the numbers to percentages: divide the numbers who know how to recycle each item by the number of students in your class, and then multiply by 100.

Question 8

What are solid wastes and hazardous wastes What is the difference between them

Question 9

There is often a tension between getting your personal life in order and working for larger structural changes in society. Evaluate the trade-offs between spending time and energy sorting recyclables at home compared to working in the public arena on a bill to ban excess packaging.

Question 10

As people become aware of waste disposal problems in their communities, more people are recycling more materials. Some things are easy to recycle, such as newsprint, office paper, or aluminum drink cans. Other things are harder to classify. Most of us give up pretty quickly and throw things in the trash if we have to think too hard about how to recycle them.

Now find someone on your campus who works on waste management. This might be someone in your university/ college administration, or it might be someone who actually empties trash containers. (You might get more interesting and straightforward answers from the latter.) Ask the following questions: (1) Can this person fill in the items your class didn't know about (2) Is there a college/ university policy about recycling What are some of the points on that policy (3) How much does the college spend each year on waste disposal How many tuition payments does that total (4) What are the biggest parts of the waste stream (5) Does the school have a plan for reducing that largest component

Question 11

Describe the difference between an open dump, a sanitary landfill, and a modern, secure, hazardous waste disposal site.

Question 12

Should industry officials be held responsible for dumping chemicals that were legal when they did it but are now known to be extremely dangerous At what point can we argue that they should have known about the hazards involved

Question 13

Why are landfill sites becoming limited around most major urban centers in the United States What steps are being taken to solve this problem

Question 14

Look at the discussion of recycling or incineration presented in this chapter. List the premises (implicit or explicit) that underlie the presentation as well as the conclusions (stated or not) that seem to be drawn from them. Do the conclusions necessarily follow from these premises

Question 15

Describe some concerns about waste incineration.

Question 16

The Netherlands incinerates much of its toxic waste at sea by a shipborne incinerator. Would you support this as a way to dispose of our wastes as well What are the critical considerations for or against this approach

Question 17

List some benefits and drawbacks of recycling wastes. What are the major types of materials recycled from municipal waste and how are they used