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Hazard Waste Summary

Hazard Waste Summary

In this assignment, you will put together a two-part hazardous waste summary. Part I should be composed of the information below.

  • Identify the sources and characteristics of hazardous and household hazardous waste (HHW). You may create a small graphic or chart (no larger than half a page) that contains this information as long as the information is clear and complete.
  • Discuss the major regulations that pertain to hazardous and HHW.
  • Summarize three hazardous waste treatment options.
  • Discuss how restoration of contaminated land and brownfield redevelopment can be used to mitigate the effects of improper hazardous waste disposal.

In Part II of your project, you will then relate this knowledge to your own circumstances. Part II should be composed of the information below.

  • Describe the process of disposing HHW in your own home, and identify potential areas for improvement.
  • Describe how hazardous waste has been handled in your current or former workplace, and identify potential areas for improvement.

You will combine Parts I and II into one document to be submitted to Blackboard. Your final product must be at least three pages in length, not counting the title or reference pages. You must use at least three sources, one of which may be your textbook, to support your project. Adhere to APA guidelines when creating citations and references for this assignment.

PART I

Sources and Characteristics of Hazardous and Household Hazardous Waste:

Hazardous waste is any discarded material that meets the definition of a hazardous waste according to federal and state regulations. Hazardous waste can be generated by various sources such as industries, households, and medical facilities. The characteristics of hazardous waste are ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity.

Household hazardous waste (HHW) is a subset of hazardous waste that is generated from residential households. HHW includes products that contain toxic chemicals such as cleaners, pesticides, herbicides, and batteries. The characteristics of HHW include flammability, reactivity, corrosivity, and toxicity.

Regulations that Pertain to Hazardous and HHW:

The primary federal regulations that pertain to hazardous waste are the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). RCRA regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. CERCLA, also known as Superfund, addresses the cleanup of hazardous waste sites that pose a threat to human health and the environment.

The major regulation that pertains to HHW is the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Act. This act allows for the establishment of HHW collection programs that are managed by state and local governments. The act also provides guidelines for the collection, storage, and disposal of HHW.

Hazardous Waste Treatment Options:

  1. Incineration: Incineration is a process that involves burning hazardous waste at high temperatures to convert it into ash, gas, and heat. This method is effective in destroying hazardous waste, but it can also release air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
  2. Landfills: Landfills are sites where hazardous waste is disposed of in lined pits or cells. Landfills are designed to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment, but they can also cause groundwater pollution.
  3. Chemical Treatment: Chemical treatment involves using chemical reactions to convert hazardous waste into non-hazardous materials. This method can be effective in treating certain types of hazardous waste, but it can also create additional hazardous byproducts.

Restoration of Contaminated Land and Brownfield Redevelopment:

Restoration of contaminated land and brownfield redevelopment can be used to mitigate the effects of improper hazardous waste disposal. Restoration involves the cleanup of contaminated land and the restoration of natural habitats. Brownfield redevelopment involves the reuse of contaminated land for new purposes, such as parks or commercial developments.

PART II

Disposing HHW in Your Own Home:

In my home, we dispose of HHW by using a local HHW collection program. We collect items such as old paint, batteries, and cleaners, and we take them to a designated HHW collection site. However, there is room for improvement in our disposal process. We could do a better job of identifying and separating HHW from regular household waste to reduce the amount of hazardous waste that ends up in landfills.

Handling of Hazardous Waste in Your Current or Former Workplace:

In my former workplace, we generated hazardous waste through laboratory activities such as chemical synthesis and testing. The hazardous waste was collected and stored in a designated area until it could be disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste contractor. One area for improvement was the labeling and tracking of hazardous waste to ensure that it was properly disposed of and did not end up in landfills or other unauthorized areas.

References:

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