Environmental solid waste

Variograms can be calculated from irregularly spaced data. However, the plots can be misleading if not interpreted with care, so this case is not addressed in this introductory primer. Variograms can also be plotted with a distance lag between samples. Examples include applications in geostatistics and environmental solid waste studies (Gressie, 1993). 

Characterisation of Products ContainingMercury in Municipal Solid Waste in the Ended States, 1970—2000, OSW No. EPA530-R-92-013 (NTIS No. PB92-162 569), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 1992. 

Location of Transfer Stations Whenever possible, transfer stations should be located (1) as near as possible to the weighted center of the individual solid-waste-produciion ares to be served, (2) within easy access of major arterial highways as well as near secondary or supplemental means of transportation, (3) where there will be a minimum of pubhc and environmental objection to the transfer operations, and (4) where construction and operation will be most economical. Additionally, if the transfer-station site is to be used for processing operations involving material recovery and/or energy production, the requirements for those operations must be considered. 

Site Selection Factors that must be considered in evaluating potential solid-waste-disposal sites are summarized in Table 25-71. Final selection of a disposal site usually is based on the results of a preliminary site survey, results of engineering design and cost studies, and an environmental-impact assessment. 

The process related to the paint shop does not impose a significant pollution load on the environment compared to many other industrial activities. It is, however, essential that all possible aspects of environmental pollution by wastewater, environmental hydrology, environmental hydraulics and pneumatics, air, solid waste, noise and hazardous wastes etc. are reviewed to control any kind of pollution within the prescribed limits. Otherwise subsequent tragedies, if caused by environmental negligence in the industrial processes, may lead to the formation of stricter environmental laws. 

In the United States, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) is the major legislation covering the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes (2). This act provides a multifaceted approach to solving the problems associated with the generation of approximately 5 billion metric tons of solid waste each year in the United States. It places particular emphasis on the regulation of hazardous wastes. This law established the Office of Solid Waste within the Environmental Protection Agency and directed the agency to publish hazardous waste characteristics and criteria. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste Management Programs, defines hazardous waste as "wastes or combinations... 

The two different, but related, eonsiderations in waste disposal are hazard eontrol and loss prevention in the treatment and disposal operations, and the eontrol of environmental hazards. With gas and liquid streams the eontrol of on-site hazards arising from the ehemieal properties and proeessing operations generally follows the prineiples summarized in earlier ehapters. The measures neeessary with solid wastes may, however, differ, partieularly if they are heterogeneous in nature and disposed of on land. 

Anonymous, How to Prevent Runaway Reactions, EPA 550-F99-004, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, August 1999. In addition to the accidents mentioned in the reference, a significant number occurred prior to the 1989 time frame. Serious incidents arc recorded as early as 1957. Accident recording before 1957 was incomplete. 

Environmental factors include (a) the impact of control technology on ambient air quality (b) the contribution of the pollution control system to the volume and characteristics of wastewater and solid waste generation and (c) maximum allowable emissions requirements. 

The main purpose of pesticide formulation is to manufacture a product that has optimum biological efficiency, is convenient to use, and minimizes environmental impacts. The active ingredients are mixed with solvents, adjuvants (boosters), and fillers as necessary to achieve the desired formulation. The types of formulations include wettable powders, soluble concentrates, emulsion concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions, suspension concentrates, suspoemulsions, water-dispersible granules, dry granules, and controlled release, in which the active ingredient is released into the environment from a polymeric carrier, binder, absorbent, or encapsulant at a slow and effective rate. The formulation steps may generate air emissions, liquid effluents, and solid wastes. 

U.S. Department of Commerce - NOAA/U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - OBice of Solid Waste and Emergency... 

The volume represents the initial fulfillment of a series, and is aimed at assisting process engineers, plant managers, environmental consultants, water treatment plant operators, and students. Subsequent volumes are intended to cover air pollution controls, and solid waste management and minimization. 

Promote a national research and development program for improved ntaitiigement techmques, more effective organizational arrangements, and new and improved methods of collection, separation. reco ery, and recycling of solid wastes, and Ute environmentally safe dispostil of nonTeco enibIe residues... 

J. E. McCartliy and M. Tiemann, Sunmiaries of Environmental Laws Administered by the EPA Solid Waste Disposal Act/ Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, July 15, 2000. 

Monitor environmental conditions and test for contanimants Encourage recycling, recovery, and reuse of all solid waste to conserve resources and reduce waste... 

Use of some biomass feedstocks can increase potential environmental risks. Municipal solid waste can contain toxic materials that can produce dioxins and other poisons in the flue gas, and these should not be burned without special emission controls. Demolition wood can contain lead from paint, other heavy metals, creosote, and halides used in presen a-tive treatments. Sewage sludge has a high amount of sulfur, and sulfur dioxide emission can increase if sewage sludge is used as a feedstock. 

Environmental Protection Agency regulations related to air, water, solid waste, and land contamination with toxic substances that a plant might emit/release into immediate plant area, or discharge as waste into public streams, or inject into underground aquafiers, or dump or store [29, 30, 31]. 

Exempt wastes are usually disposed of on location following permission from the state oil and gas division. Liquid wastes, if not evaporated or fixated on location, are usually injected into Class II injection wells—refer to Chapter 6, Environmental Considerations. Solid wastes, if not acceptable to local landfills, are remediated onsite or buried in some instances. Table 4-175 shows exempt and nonexempt waste [234]. 

In addition to the solid waste problem, we can also expect that with expanding population or expanding demands of a static population, there will be societal pressure to reduce material usage over and above cost factors. These pressures could result in legislation to expand the environmental protection philosophy. For example, since plant materials are a renewable resource as well as readily recyclable, we may expect forced increases in paper-based packages. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS BY DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC FROM MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE... 

An Ecoprofile is an assessment of the environmental and resource impacts of a waste disposal process. This paper describes ecoprofiles for six different ways of disposing the plastic fraction in municipal solid waste -two material recycling processes that include separation of the plastic waste, material recycling without separation of the plastic waste, pyrolysis, incineration with heat recovery, and landfill. 17 refs. 

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