Structure and Dynamics of Household Hazardous Wastes (original) (raw)
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Improper Disposal of Household Hazardous Waste: Landfill/Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant
Household hazardous waste (HHW) is not always separated for proper handling before disposal. When disposed improperly to landfills and municipal treatment plants, these products can have significant impact on the environment. Although HHW is a small portion of municipal solid waste, the presence of HHW in solid management facilities that are not equipped to handle them can have problematic effects, resulting in environmental pollution, damage to facilities, and even injury to workers. In many countries, HHW is not subject to legislation unless separated from other household waste because of its small percentage and the challenge in enforcement. In addition, there is no standard definition of HHW globally; therefore, what constitutes to HHW in one country may not be in another. Government legislation and schemes such as Extended Producer Responsibility play a vital role in encouraging proper disposal among consumers, especially when they are convenient and accessible. In this chapter, hazardous household products in different countries are considered along with common improper and acceptable disposal methods. Furthermore, the impacts of improper disposal on the environment are explored with an emphasis on landfill leachate and wastewater treatment plant effluent. Finally, current legislation and programs that encourage proper disposal are discussed.
Characterization of urban solid waste in Chihuahua, Mexico
Waste Management, 2008
The characterization of urban solid waste generation is fundamental for adequate decision making in the management strategy of urban solid waste in a city. The objective of this study is to characterize the waste generated in the households of Chihuahua city, and to compare the results obtained in areas of the city with three different socioeconomic levels. In order to identify the different socioeconomic trends in waste generation and characterization, 560 samples of solid waste were collected during 1 week from 80 households in Chihuahua and were hand sorted and classified into 15 weighted fractions. The average waste generation in Chihuahua calculated in this study was 0.676 kg per capita per day in April 2006. The main fractions were: organic (48%), paper (16%) and plastic (12%). Results show an increased waste generation associated with the socioeconomic level. The characterization in amount and composition of urban waste is the first step needed for the successful implementation of an integral waste management system.
Journal of Environmental Management, 2008
Landfill disposal and waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration remain the two principal options for managing municipal solid waste (MSW). One critical determinant of the acceptability of these options is the different health risks associated with each. In this analysis relying on published data and exposure modeling, we have performed health risk assessments for landfill disposal versus WTE treatment options for the management of New York City's MSW. These are based on the realistic scenario of using a waste transfer station (WTS) in Brooklyn and then transporting the untreated MSW by truck to a landfill in Pennsylvania or using a WTE facility in Brooklyn and then transporting the resultant ash by truck to a landfill in Pennsylvania. The overall results indicate that the individual cancer risks for both options would be considered generally acceptable, although the risk from landfilling is approximately 5 times greater than from WTE treatment; the individual non-cancer health risks for both options would be considered generally unacceptable, although once again the risk from landfilling is approximately 5 times greater than from WTE treatment. If one considers only the population in Brooklyn that would be directly affected by the siting of either a WTS or a WTE facility in their immediate neighborhood, individual cancer and non-cancer health risks for both options would be considered generally acceptable, but risks for the former remain considerably higher than for the latter. These results should be considered preliminary due to several limitations of this study such as: consideration of risks only from inhalation exposures; assumption that only volume and not composition of the waste stream is altered by WTE treatment; reliance on data from the literature rather than actual measurements of the sites considered, assuming comparability of the sites. However, the results of studies such as this, in conjunction with ecological, socioeconomic and equity considerations, should prove useful to environmental managers, regulators, policy makers, community representatives and other stakeholders in making sound and acceptable decisions regarding the optimal handling of MSW.
Journal of The Air & Waste Management Association, 2009
Although there are a myriad of sources of municipal solid waste (MSW) data in the United States, much of these data are not transparent and are also extremely difficult to find. In addition, the two major methods of quantifying national MSW flows-the BioCycle State of Garbage in America and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/Franklin Associates' MSW "Facts and Figures" report-differ greatly in their reported results. This study, sponsored by EPA Region 9 and concentrating on the state of California, shows how an improved method of MSW measurement can be built upon the foundation provided by the State of Garbage in America (SOG) survey and complemented by an in-depth analysis of state data from various sources within a state. The primary goal of this methodology is to provide reliable, transparent, tonnage-based, and readily available MSW data for use by policy-makers, MSW managers, and the general public. California was used as the starting point because of the high volume of data available for that state, as well as the controversy surrounding its unusual method of collecting and reporting recycling rates. Also, because of California's size, its recycling tonnage has a large effect on overall U.S. national figures. It is therefore important to accurately quantify MSW management there. Results show that EPA underestimates U.S. MSW generation rates by a significant amount and that the methodology presented produces consistent and replicable results across different states.
Comparative analysis of hazardous household waste in two Mexican regions
Waste Management, 2007
Household hazardous waste (HHW) generation in two Mexican regions was examined, a northern region (bordering with the USA) and a central region. The aim of this work was to determine the dynamics of solid waste generation and to be able to compare the results of both regions, regarding consumption patterns and solid waste generation rates. In the northern region, household solid waste was analysed quantitatively. In order to perform this analysis, the population was categorized into three socioeconomic strata (lower, middle, upper). Waste characterization revealed the presence of products that give origin to household hazardous waste. In the northern region (Mexicali city), household hazardous waste comprised 3.7% of municipal solid waste, the largest categories in this fraction were home care products (29.2%), cleaning products (19.5%) and batteries and electronic equipment (15.7%). In the central region, HHW comprised 1.03% of municipal solid waste; the main categories in this fraction were represented by cleaning products (39%), self care products (27.3%), and insecticides (14.4%). In Mexicali, the socioeconomic study demonstrated that the production of HHW is independent of the income level. Furthermore, the composition of the solid waste stream in both regions suggested the influence of another set of variables such as local climate, migration patterns and marketing coverage. Further research is needed in order to establish the effect of low quantities of HHW upon the environment and public health.
Journal of Environmental Protection
Households are the sources contributing the most to the production of urban solid wastes in developing countries. The present study analyses the generation of domestic solid wastes in a settlement in Mexico in two different years. The goals were to compare composition and rates of generation into the periods to assess changes and the influence of socioeconomic variables. In 1998 and 2004, wastes from households were sampled of three socioeconomic levels randomly selected, and a survey was applied. Data obtained were analyzed with descriptive and multivariate analysis. Results of generation rate and composition of domestic solid wastes showed a negative correlation between generation and income in the first one, but positive in the second one; in both, composition did not show correlation. Rates of per capita generation, per household, population and density of inhabitants per dwelling increased, and the generation of wastes were more with respect to population growth, which emphasizes the influence of economic and demographic variables. This study corroborates that households are the principal sources of urban solid wastes and it is emphasized that management strategies must preponderate households to be successful. In addition, this information is important to establish strategies for an integral management of urban solid wastes in developing countries.
Seasonal characterization of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico
Waste Management, 2009
Management of municipal solid waste (MSW) has become a significant environmental problem, especially in fast-growing cities. The amount of waste generated increases each year and this makes it difficult to create solutions which due to the increase in waste generation year after year and having to identify a solution that will have minimum impact on the environment. To determine the most sustainable waste management strategy for Chihuahua, it is first necessary to identify the nature and composition of the city's urban waste. The MSW composition varied considerably depending on many factors, the time of year is one of them. Therefore, as part of our attempt to implement an integral waste management system in the city of Chihuahua, we conducted a study of the characteristics of MSW composition for the different seasons. This paper analyzes and compares the findings of the study of the characterization and the generation of solid waste from households at three different socioeconomic levels in the city over three periods (April and August, 2006 and January, 2007). The average weight of waste generated in Chihuahua, taking into account all three seasons, was 0.592 kg capita À1 day À1. Our results show that the lowest income groups generated the least amount of waste. We also found that less waste was generated during the winter season. The breakdown for the composition of the waste shows that organic waste accounts for the largest proportion (45%), followed by paper (17%) and others (16%).
Municipal waste management issues
Engineering for Rural Development, 2018
Reuse, recycling and recovery are becoming the key words for a new paradigm of the sustainability, innovation and competitiveness. Taking into account that waste becomes a resource, a new EU waste management framework can bring significant benefits: sustainable growth and job creation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, direct savings linked to efficient waste management practices, including treatment, and a better environment. The EU Member States are increasingly shifting from municipal waste landfilling to waste prevention and recycling. It is recognised that landfilling is the worst waste management option for biodegradable waste, particularly at the EU level. Respectively, the European countries use a variety of policy instruments for: preventing waste generation, switching waste from landfilling and moving towards more recycling. In 2015, the European Commission (EC) proposed new targets for municipal waste-60 % recycling and preparing for reuse by 2025 and 65 % by 2030. Waste prevention affects and depends on a very wide range of stakeholders, but it also depends on changes in the attitudes and behaviour of households. The aim of the study is twofold: 1) to evaluate the current state and trends of municipal waste management in Latvia, which are aimed to fulfil the EC recommendations and the EU legislation, as well as to reach the EU level accepted objectives and targets of waste related policies; 2) to assess Latvian households' attitudes against waste sorting. The comparison of performance in the implementation of municipal waste management policy among the EU Member States, the Baltic Sea Region EU countries and the Baltic States was performed. A combination of the Eurostat statistics, the legislation and various documents of the EU and Latvian institutions, as well as different sources of literature have been used as materials for evaluation. Besides, based on the national and municipal survey data, households' attitudes and behaviour regarding the solid waste management are assessed.
1989
Municipal solid waste refers to waste materials generated by residential, commercial, and institutional sources, and consists predominantly of paper, glass, metals, plastics, and food and yard waste. Within the definition of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, municipal solid waste does not include sewage sludge or hazardous waste. The three main options for management are storage in landfills, recycling, and incineration. This guide is intended for those who wish to review the literature on many aspects of municipal solid waste management, but especially reflects an emphasis on recycling and incineration with energy recovery. This document includes bibliographies under some of the following headings: (1) "Introductions to the Topic"; (2) "Subject Headings" (used by the Library of Congress, under which books on municipal solid waste management, recycling, and resource recovery can be located);
Impact of Lifestyle Changes on Municipal Solid Waste.pdf
Impact of Changing Lifestyle on Municipal Solid Waste Generation in Residential Areas: Case Study of Qatar, 2018
Qatar currently has one of the highest per capita municipal waste generation in the world. The continuous increase in household wastes, and overfilled landfills threaten available spaces for urban development programmes in the country. Consequently, this study examined the lifestyle factors that have led to high municipal solid waste generation in the country. Data were gathered from both primary and secondary sources. Considering the sociocultural factors in the country, the convenience sampling technique was adopted. Thus, questionnaires were administered via online survey. At the end of the survey, 68 responses were received, and utilized for the study. The analysis of Data used the descriptive and inferential statistical tools via the SPSS 24 software. Descriptive tools used are frequency tables, bar-diagrams, line graphs, pie charts, averages, and relative importance index while Pearson Correlation was used to make inferences. The study observed a direct relationship between the increasing population in Qatar and the high municipal solid waste generation; and that 50% of the respondents have household sizes of between 4-7 persons. Over 90% of the respondents have university education. The RII result of 3.514 out of 5 showed that kitchen waste accounts for over 70% of the household wastes in Qatar. This is followed in rank by nylon wastes while plastic wastes ranked third. Other waste components are paper and cardboard, glass, and wood and furniture. The calculated average daily waste generated per capita is 1.135 kg. The study gathered that the municipalities, at no cost to the residents, mostly collect household wastes and most of the respondents do not sort their household wastes before disposal. With a Pearson Correlation coefficient value of 0.305 at 0.05 significant level, the study indicated a moderate positive relationship between household size and waste generated from the households. Other socio-economic lifestyle variables such as income level, education factor, and age did not prove to have such significant relationship with municipal solid waste in the area. The study recommended that in addition to coordinated sensitization programmes of waste sorting from the source, the government should set a weight limit of 7kg/household per day. Any household whose wastes exceed this set level should be charged for per kilogram on the extra weight at the end of each month.