Topic 10: Solid Wastes Flashcards
Name 3 sources of solid wastes
Mining and construction
Domestic and commercial/municipal
Industrial
Mining and construction waste
Produce large amounts-most are non-hazardous but some can be which cause issues
Mine overburden heaps: usually non toxic
Mine spoil heaps: have toxic chemicals
Demolition waste, might contain hazardous material e.g. asbestos
The main categories of domestic and commercial waste
Packaging and containers
Paper
Domestic appliances
Organic material e.g. food and garden waste
Clothing/textiles
Problems with waste management of domestic sources
Large quantities are produced but have to be collected in small quantities from each household which is expensive and labour intensive
The mixture of waste varies throughout the year e.g. more garden waste in the summer
Different types of waste are mixed together
Why so the properties of solid waste matter?
They influence the disposal method
Name 5 properties of solid waste
Degradability
Conditions that affect degradability
Flammability
Release of radioactivity
Toxicity
How does affluence impact waste?
It has an effect on the amount of waste generated
Why does affluence affect the amount of waste generated?
More affluence means people are more likely to puurchase more goods and more disposable items. They are also more likely to throw things away instead of repairing them
This then increases waste from manufacture of goods and mineral extraction too
How can manufacturing and retail industries increase waste?
Certain sale strategies can increase waste:
Built in obsolescence
Disposable products
Overpackaging
What is built in obsolescence?
When items are purposely made with a short lifespan- they aren’t durable
Fast fashion, encourages clothing to be discarded
Customers are encouraged to upgrade to the latest model
What are disposable products?
Items intended to have a limited usable life so need to be replaced sooner
E.g. razors,lighters, ballpoint pens
Overpackaging
Done to make items more attractive
But the unnecessary packaging is likely to be thrown away
How are solid wastes disposed, how may this be an issue?
Large amounts are deliberately or accidentally dumped in the environment
Can harm wildlife that can swallow or get caught in it
Plastic wastes can degrade into small particles which choke marine life or release chemicals that cause endocrine disruption
What factors affect the method chosen for waste disposal?
Population density, mass of waste per capita, waste properties,land availability, recycling technology,degree of environmental awareness,legislation,household income, waste processing cots
Why might population density affect waste disposal?
Collection costs might be higher if there are fewer people further apart
What is landfill?
Simplest disposal option
Require little/no treatment of waste
Early landfill sites were poorly managed
Features of good landfill site management
Separation of types of waste,recording their location
Polymer liners
Perimeter fence
Covering waste with soil
Collection and treatment of leachate and methane
Impermeable cap
Deodorising spray
Dispersal of flammable materials
Why may polymer liners be a feature of a well-managed landfill site?
To prevent the escape of leachate fluid
Why is a perimeter fence a feature of a well managed landfill site?
It will trap litter blown by the wind
What are the disadvantages of landfill?
Potential resource value is lost
Large amounts of land used-habitats/farmland lost
Organic matter decays anaerobically=methane
Toxic leachate may leak
Contamination may prevent later development of these sights
Transporting waste to them, can cause noise and congestion
Spoil heaps
Industrial spoils usually have large quantities of non-toxic solids, the main issue with them is quantity
They can also produce polluting leachate fluids
How are spoil heaps produced?
Mining and quarrying
Coal fired power stations/incinerators produce ash
Iron blast furnaces produce slag
Why do spoil heaps need to be managed?
To minimise environmental problems
Make site easier to reuse after sight closure
What problems need to be solved for successful management of spoil heaps?
Stability,drainage,lack of nutrients,PH,contamination,topography,toxic leachates,heavy metals,flammable wastes
