Chapters 12.2 and 12.3

HAZARDOUS WASTE AND REDUCING WASTE

HAZARDOUS WASTES – 12.3

• Contains at least one toxic compound

• Catches fire easily• Reactive or explosive• Corrodes metal containers

HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATION IN THE UNITED STATES• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)• Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund) – NJ leads the nation in Superfund Sites, mostly thanks to Governor Christie Whitman (who ended up in charge of the EPA under George W. Bush)

• National Priority List• Polluter-pays principle

• California – 98

• Pennsylvania - 96

SUPERFUND SITES – NJ HAS 113 AS OF 2013.

SUPERFUND IN BURLINGTON • Cinnaminson Ground Water Contamination Cinnaminson Township

• Cosden Chemical Coating Corporation Beverly City

• Ellis Property Evesham Township

• Ewan Property Shamong Township

• Fort Dix Landfill Pemberton Township

• Kauffman & Minteer, Inc. Springfield Township

• Landfill & Development Company (L&D) Mount Holly Township

• Lang Property Pemberton Township

• McGuire Air Force Base #1 New Hanover Township

• Roebling Steel Florence Township

• Woodland Township Route 532 Dump Woodland Township

• Woodland Township Route 72 Dump Woodland Township

THE LOVE CANAL STORY

• Love Canal was a waterway built in the 1800s next to Niagara Falls, NY.

• Hooker Chemical Company purchased the site and used it for a chemical dump 1942-53.

• Site was sold to local gov’t for $1. A housing development and school were constructed on the site in the 70s.

• Chemicals began seeping into basements. • Housewife and resident Lois Gibbs brought problems to

national attention in 1977.• Some families moved right away, some cleanup done.

THE LOVE CANAL STORY

• Of remaining families, miscarriage rate 50% higher than normal.

• Of 17 pregnancies in 1979, 2 normal, 9 had birth defects, 2 still born, 4 miscarriages.

• In adults tested, nerve impulses slower, 30% had broken chromosomes.

• 1980, gov’t relocated everybody, started massive cleanup. • 1990 cleanup done, new development called Black Creek

Village opened. Houses cheap.

DEALING WITH HAZARDOUS WASTES

WHAT HARMFUL CHEMICALS ARE IN YOUR HOME?

What Harmful Chemicals Are in Your Home?

Cleaning

• Disinfectants• Drain, toilet, and window cleaners • Spot removers• Septic tank, cleaners

Paint

• Latex and oil-based paints• Paint thinners, solvents, and strippers • Stains, varnishes, and lacquers• Wood preservatives• Artist paints and inks

General

• Dry cell batteries (mercury and cadmium)• Glues and cements

Gardening

• Pesticides• Weed killers• Ant and rodent killers• Flea powders

Automotive

• Gasoline• Used motor oil • Antifreeze• Battery acid• Solvents• Brake and transmission fluid• Rust inhibitor and rust remover

DETOXIFYING AND REMOVING WASTES

• Physical methods• Chemical methods• Bioremediation• Phytoremediation• Plasma incineration

DEEP-WELL DISPOSAL

HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL

SURFACE IMPOUNDMENTS: TRADE-OFFS

Chapter 12.2

DEALING WITH SOLID WASTE PROBLEMS

HOW CAN WE REDUCE OUR PRODUCTION OF SOLID WASTE?

• 3 options for dealing with solid waste problems (Aka – the 3 R’s):

• Producing less waste (Reduce)

• Changing the materials used in products (Reuse)

• Recycle

PRODUCING LESS WASTE - REDUCE

• Less waste – fewer/smaller landfills – less pollution

• How can we produce less waste?

• Manufacturers can produce less waste by redesigning products to use less material

REUSE

• Reusable bags for groceries

• Repurposing household items for other things

COMPOSTING – (REUSE)

• “recycling” yard material

• Yard waste is biodegradable and therefore can decompose naturally in a compost pile

• Bacteria break down the waste until it becomes compost – a dark crumbly material that is rich in nutrients

RECYCLING

• Saves energy, water and other resources

• After recycled materials are collected they are taken to a recycling center where they are sorted, cleaned, sorted again and made into new products.