Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason why the United States prohibits ocean disposal of waste?
What is the primary reason why the United States prohibits ocean disposal of waste?
- It is a less expensive option
- Many developed nations are not following suit
- The environmental damage done by ocean disposal is now understood (correct)
- It is a more environmentally friendly option
What was the primary method of waste disposal in the United States until the mid-l970s?
What was the primary method of waste disposal in the United States until the mid-l970s?
- Incineration
- Ocean disposal
- Open dumps (correct)
- Sanitary landfill
What was the purpose of setting the refuse on fire in open dumps?
What was the purpose of setting the refuse on fire in open dumps?
- To reduce odors and insects
- To reduce the risk of open fires
- To prolong the life of the dump (correct)
- To reduce the risk of rodents and air pollution
What is the main difference between open dumps and sanitary landfills?
What is the main difference between open dumps and sanitary landfills?
What is the term used to describe the method of burying refuse in a lined pit and covering it with an earthen cover?
What is the term used to describe the method of burying refuse in a lined pit and covering it with an earthen cover?
What is the purpose of compacting soil in a sanitary landfill?
What is the purpose of compacting soil in a sanitary landfill?
How are sanitary landfills typically built?
How are sanitary landfills typically built?
What is the typical thickness of the daily cover in a sanitary landfill?
What is the typical thickness of the daily cover in a sanitary landfill?
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Study Notes
Disposal Methods
- The only two realistic options for disposal are in the oceans and on land.
- Ocean disposal is prohibited by federal law in the United States and many developed nations due to environmental damage.
Evolution of Land Disposal
- Until the mid-1970s, a solid waste disposal facility was often a simple dump site.
- Dumps were inexpensive and straightforward, with trucks emptying loads at a designated spot.
- The volume was occasionally reduced by setting the refuse on fire, prolonging the dump's life.
Issues with Dumps
- Dumps posed serious public health and aesthetic problems, including:
- Rodents
- Odor
- Insects
- Air pollution
- Dangers from open fires
Sanitary Landfills
- The term "sanitary landfill" originated from the burial of waste ammunition after World War II.
- Sanitary landfills are engineered operations, designed and operated according to acceptable standards.
- The process involves:
- Compacting refuse in a lined pit
- Covering compacted refuse with an earthen cover
- Daily cover is 6-12 inches thick, and a final cover is at least 2ft thick.
- Landfills are built in units called cells.
Landfill Operations
- The process involves multiple stages, including:
- Siting
- Design
- Operation
- Closing
- Closed landfills can be repurposed as:
- Golf courses
- Playgrounds
- Tennis courts
- Winter recreation areas
- Parks and greenbelts
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