Hazardous Waste Characteristics
Substances that can explode or produce toxic fumes when compressed, heated, or mixed with water.
Reactive.
Items that decompose or break down naturally.
Biodegradable.
Items that contains heavy metals that can leak out.
E-waste or electronic devices.
What is it called when steps are taken to lessen the amount and toxicity of waste before it becomes waste?
Source Reduction
What are two methods of waste recovery?
Recycling and composting.
Substances that can eat through or dissolve metal storage tanks and equipment.
Corrosive.
Items from homes or small businesses.
Municipal Solid Waste
What type of hazardous waste is created by nuclear power plants?
High-level radioactive waste.
What is the conversion of organic waste into mulch or humus by decomposition?
Composting
What is a controlled process where waste is burned at high temperatures?
Incineration
Ignitable.
Waste from mining or construction.
Industrial Waste
What are the forms of hazardous waste?
Solid, liquid, gas, sludge.
What is the collection and reprocessing of waste materials?
Recycling.
What is the purpose of surface impoundments?
Liquid waste is poured into a shallow lined pit where water will evaporate and solid waste is transported elsewhere. It is used to reduce the volume of liquid hazardous waste.
Substances that can be harmful when inhaled, ingested, or touched.
Toxic.
Paints, household cleaners, medical waste and solvents are what types of waste?
Hazardous.
What source produces the most hazardous waste?
Industry.
What is a plant that sorts an reprocesses waste called?
Material Recovery Facilities
What are the benefits to incinerating waste?
Heat from burning can be used for electricity generation.
The volume and weight of the waste is reduced.
Where is the most common location for hazardous waste to be dumped?
Landfills.
Who sets standards to manage waste?
EPA or Environmental Protection Agency
What is land whose reuse or development are complicated by the presence of hazardous materials?
Brownfields.
How can source reduction be achieved?
Less consumption, designing goods that last longer, banning certain plastics, and less pacakging.
What are the benefits of sanitary landfills?
When full, landfills are closed and used as recreation areas.
Decomposition yields methane, which can be used like natural gas (reduces greenhouse gases).