H.S. 356A:
Modules
E. Solid and Hazardous Wastes
A. Solid discarded material (EPA definition)
waste:
includes: solids, liquids, contained gases
excludes: agricultural wastes returned to soil
mining and milling wastes returned to mine
domestic sewage, and nuclear materials (!)
1. garbage: relatively decomposable wastes
(kitchen, food wastes)
2. rubbish: relatively non-decomposable wastes
(paper,cloth, glass, metal)
B. phases: input process output outcome
generation --> transfer --> disposal --> effects
| | | |
source resource remediation |
reduction recovery compensation
3. collection: greatest cost of solid waste management
4. transfer: temporary holding facilities
(for collection, storage, some treatment)
5. treatment: to reduce volume, mass, or risk
6. incineration: controlled combustion of waste
7. RDF: refuse derived fuel (waste is incinerated)
8. mass burn: nothing is sorted
9. controls: temperature (1400-1800 degrees F.)
turbulence (oxygen) -- grates:
rectangular, vertical circular,
rotary kiln, others
time (continuous preferred over batch)
10.ash: solid residue that remains after burning
(bottom ash = at bottom of incinerator)
(fly ash = smaller airborne particles)
11.pyrolysis: burn wastes with no added oxygen ("roasting")
Solid Waste (continued)
12. composting: controlled biodegradation of
plant and animal matter
13. humus: decomposed plant and animal matter
soil conditioner (poor fertilizer)
14. windrows: long rows of compost
15. procedure: shred (allows faster decomposition)
spread in thin layers (2"-6"):
carbon layers: paper, leaves, sawdust
nitrogen layers: grass, kitchen scraps, fruit
activator layers: manure (dog droppings, etc.)
soil
fertilizer
sprinkle with water to maintain moistness
ventilate
16. problems: AVOID: meat, grease, bones, and weeds
odor: if ammonia smell, add carbon
if rotting smell, add carbon,
ventilate,
stop watering
if too slow: add nitrogen, activator
maintain water and oxygen
17. resource any process where materials are recovered
recovery: rather than discarded
18. reuse: use again in same way
19. reclamation: (utilization) use in new ways
20. recycling: use raw material in various ways
(e.g., cullet = ground glass)
21. source to re-evaluate and eliminate waste generation
reduction:
22. tipping fees: charge to dump garbage at a
disposal site ($/ton)
Assignment: list as many controls as you can for the common cold.
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A. Features:
1. protective clay soils or
lining: synthetic liners (PVC, PE)
2. layers 8-10 ft. deep (after compaction)
(lifts): intermediate settling (prefer 1 year)
before next lift
3. cover daily: 6 inches
material: intermediate: 12 inches
final cover: 24 inches
2-4 % grade (for proper drainage)
less than 30 degrees on side slopes
B. Methods:
4. area: uses natural slope: valley or ravine methods
low area method
ramp method
5. trench: man-made
C. Processes:
6. LFG: landfill gas
aerobic: a. lasts several days to several months
anaerobic: b. mostly CO2 formation (acid formers)
c. increased methane formation (methane producers)
d. stabilized (roughly equal % of methane and CO2)
(lesser levels of NH3 and H2S)
rates: depend on temperature, pH (acid inhibits growth),
moisture, type of wastes
methane: explosive limit of 5%
7. Leachate: from waste itself, or water entering landfill
high in organics, heavy metals
D. Daily concerns:
8. records: type and amount of waste received
(measure by weight, because volume changes),
# and type of personnel, equipment
monitoring leachate and gas production
9. procedures: standby equipment
exposed waste area is minimized
work with prevailing wind
portable fencing (prevent wind blown waste)
compact to 12-18 inch layers (4-5 passes of tractor)
E. Long-term concerns:
10. space: land area needed
11. access: fences, signs
12. time: 20-40 years operation
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I. Under different federal laws:
production environment waste
|--> hazardous air pollutants -->|
| [Clean Air Act (CAA)] |
| |
toxic ---------->|--> toxic pollutants ---------->|--> hazardous
substances | [Clean Water Act (CWA)] | wastes
(TSCA) | | (RCRA)
|--> hazardous substances ------>|
| (CWA, RCRA, CERCLA) |
| |
|--> hazardous materials ------->|
(HMTA)
II. Under RCRA
A. "D-Wastes": exhibit at least one of
four characteristics:
1. ignitibility: flash point < 140 deg. F.
2. corrosivity: pH < 2, > 12.5, or
corrode steel at > 1/4 inch per year
3. reactivity: explosiveness and toxic by-products
from chemical reactions
4. toxicity: standard extraction procedure (EPA)
B. any of four lists (created by EPA, and
taking precedence over the above characteristics):
5. F-list: from generic processes
e.g., degreasing, solvents, electroplating
6. K-list: by type of industry:
e.g., iron and steel, petroleum refining
pesticides, explosives
7. U-list: "toxic wastes" (numerous qualifications)
8. P-list: "acutely hazardous"
presents substantial hazard
whether improperly managed or not.
C. Mixtures of solid waste with waste listed above
D. Waste from the treatment, storage, or disposal (TSD)
of wastes listed above
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A. General Considerations
1. DOT: Department of Transportation
2. HMTA: Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (DOT)
3. HCS: Hazard Communication Standard (OSHA)
4. CHEMTREC: CHEMical TRansportation Emergency Center (CMA)
(1-800-424-9300)
5. CMA: Chemical Manufacturers Association
B. RCRA and HSWA
6. SQG: small quantity generators (below legally
prescribed quantities, generators are subject
to less stringent RCRA requirements)
7. HSWA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
of 1984 (to RCRA)
C. CERCLA
8. RQ: Reportable Quantity (under CERCLA, releases above
this level must be reported to the national response
center, a toll free hotline at 1-800-424-8802).
9. NCP: National Contingency Plan
10. CERCLIS: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Information System (an inventory,
often a prelude to being placed on NPL)
11. HRS: Hazard Ranking System
12. NPL: National Priorities List (based on HRS)
D. SARA
13. ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry
14. EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act
(title 3 of SARA)
15. TPQ: Threshold Planning Quantity (under SARA,
releases above this level must be reported
to the State Emergency Response Commission).
16. TRI: Toxic Release Inventory
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Page updated: 7/6/99