Environmental Science
mcd72170
lecture_10.ppt
ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS
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DEFINITION:
In general, anything that reduces the overall waste stream is a good alternative to traditional waste disposal.
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A SUGGESTION FROM GREENPEACE
ALTERNATIVE METHODS ARE BASED ON THE 4 “R’s”
- RECYCLING
- REDUCE
- REUSE
- REFUSE
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REPROCESSING OF DISCARDED MATERIALS INTO NEW PRODUCTS. THESE CAN BE THE SAME AS OR DIFFERENT FROM THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT.
Recycling conserves natural resources and fuel. It is usually less polluting than the original process.
METHODS OF RECYCLING INCLUDE:
- MELTING
- PULPING
- COMPOSTING
- DEMANUFACTURING
- RENDERING
I) RECYCLING:
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INSIDE THE A RECYCLING FACILITY
A WAY TO KEEP HAZARDOUS WASTES OUT OF THE LANDFILLS
RECYCLING
Is used for certain metals, most glass, and some plastics.
MELTING
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BOTTLE RECYCLING
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ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING
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ALUMINUM RECYCLING PLANT
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MELTED ALUMINUM FORMED INTO INGOTS
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SHEET OF RECYCED ALUMINUM
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This method is used with materials containing natural cellulose fibers such as wood, cloth, paper, some agricultural products
PULPING
CELLULOSE FIBERS
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BUNDLES OF PAPER TO BE RECYCLED
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BLEACHING USED TO REMOVE COLOR IN THE PULP
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PULP BEING TURNED INTO RECYCLED PAPER
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Is used with yard or plant wastes such as limbs, leaves, etc, to produce partially decomposed organic wastes which can be used as soil amendments (fertilizers) . Large composting operations can be used to produce methane (methane generators) which can be added to the natural gas supply.
COMPOSTING
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VARIATION IN COMPOST DESIGN
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SMALL MUNICIPAL COMPOSTING OPERATIONS
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LARGE MUNICIPAL COMPOSTING OPERATION
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Is used with e-wastes to remove and reuse usable parts, metals, and semiconductors.
DEMANUFACTURING
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COMPUTERS WAITING TO BE DEMANUFACTURED
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E-WASTE SORTING
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Is the cooking of animal wastes to produce useable proteins for animal foods, fats for soaps and oils, lanolin and tallow for cosmetics.
RENDERING
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THE RENDERING PROCESS
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THE RENDERING PROCESS
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A RENDERING PLANT
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OTHER RENDERED PRODUCTS
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OTHER RENDERED PRODUCTS
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OTHER RENDERED PRODUCTS
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USE LESS PREPACKED MATERIALS
II) REDUCE
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USE WASTE CONTAINERS FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
III) REUSE
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REFUSE TO USE SOME WASTE-GENERATING PRODUCTS
IV) REFUSE
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#1 = polyethylene [PETE] (soft drink bottles; juice bottles, corn oil bottles)
#2 = high density polyethylene [HDPE] (milk containers, laundry detergent bottles)
#3 = polyvinyl chloride [PVC] (plastic food wraps, liquid dish soap bottles)
#4 = low density polyethylene [LDPE] (most plastic bags)
#5 = polypropylene [PP] (deli containers)
#6 = polystyrene [PS] (Dixie party cups; egg cartons, Styrofoam cups)
#7 = other (mixed resins such as some OLD catsup bottles)
PLASTIC RECYCLING NUMBERS
QUESTIONS
What can be done to encourage recycling?
How can local government and schools help?
