"According to the EPA regulations, solid waste means any garbage, or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid,semi- solid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial,commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities." (EPA)

How much solid waste is produced?

U.S.=33% of worlds sollid waste= 11 BILLION tons/year (Miller 1999)

What is hazardous waste?(EPA)

"Wastes that exhibit certain characteristics may be regulated by RCRA. A waste may be considered hazardous if it is ignitable (i.e., burns readily), corrosive, or reactive (e.g., explosive). Waste may also be considered hazardous if it contains certain amounts of toxic chemicals. In addition to these characteristic wastes, EPA has also developed a list of over 500 specific hazardous wastes. Hazardous waste takes many physical forms and may be solid, semi-solid, or even liquid." (EPA).

a.contains one of 39 dangerous chemicals

b.highly flamable

c.unstable

d. corrosive

What is not officially hazardous waste?

a.radioactive waste

b.household hazardous materials

c.mining waste

d. oil and gas drilling waste

e. cement kiln dust

f. small producers (<100 kg)

How much hazardous waste is produced

How much hazardous waste is generated each year in the United States?

In 1995, nearly 20,000 hazardous waste generators produced 279 million tons of hazardous waste regulated by RCRA.

Solutions

Decrease consumption

Redesign to use less

Design to last longer

Reuse

1964 89% of softdrinks were refillable. In 1997 7% were refillable(Miller).

Treat

Bury