Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT classified as a type of waste in waste management?
Which of the following is NOT classified as a type of waste in waste management?
What is a significant health concern related to improperly managed waste?
What is a significant health concern related to improperly managed waste?
Which legislation governs the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in Canada?
Which legislation governs the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in Canada?
Which of the following is NOT considered a hazardous waste?
Which of the following is NOT considered a hazardous waste?
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What type of pollutants might e-waste expose individuals to?
What type of pollutants might e-waste expose individuals to?
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Which of the following exposures can lead to decreased lung function?
Which of the following exposures can lead to decreased lung function?
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What is NOT a method mentioned for the proper handling of solid waste?
What is NOT a method mentioned for the proper handling of solid waste?
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What is a significant environmental concern associated with traditional landfills?
What is a significant environmental concern associated with traditional landfills?
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Which of these substances is primarily associated with DNA damage due to exposure?
Which of these substances is primarily associated with DNA damage due to exposure?
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Which of the following is a notable disadvantage of incineration technology?
Which of the following is a notable disadvantage of incineration technology?
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What temperature range is critical for the oxidation of contaminants during the incineration process?
What temperature range is critical for the oxidation of contaminants during the incineration process?
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In the context of environmental justice, which factor is emphasized?
In the context of environmental justice, which factor is emphasized?
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What type of materials are composted according to the content provided?
What type of materials are composted according to the content provided?
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What is the primary output of pyrolysis in waste management?
What is the primary output of pyrolysis in waste management?
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Which method allows for the thermal decomposition of waste using very little air or oxygen?
Which method allows for the thermal decomposition of waste using very little air or oxygen?
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What does the NIMBY phenomenon primarily illustrate?
What does the NIMBY phenomenon primarily illustrate?
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How does incineration compare to landfills in terms of greenhouse gas emissions?
How does incineration compare to landfills in terms of greenhouse gas emissions?
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Which of the following is NOT an acceptable e-waste item?
Which of the following is NOT an acceptable e-waste item?
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What type of facility is the Durham York Energy Centre an example of?
What type of facility is the Durham York Energy Centre an example of?
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Which process involves the remanufacturing of materials into new products?
Which process involves the remanufacturing of materials into new products?
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Study Notes
Waste Management Overview
- Course: ENH524 - Pollution and Waste Management
- Institution: Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Occupational and Public Health
Midterm Results
- Midterms are viewable after make-up exams (if applicable)
- Currently only the grade is visible
- Once open, only questions answered incorrectly will be shown
Causes of Land Pollution
- Deforestation and soil erosion
- Agricultural activities (fertilizers, pesticides)
- Mining activities
- Landfills/improper waste disposal
- Industrialization
- Nuclear waste
- Sewage treatment
Waste Classification
- Combustible
- Sewage (municipal)
- Solid (municipal)
- Hazardous
Improper Waste Disposal Impacts
- Adverse effects on the environment
- Adverse effects on human health
Health Concerns from Waste
- Infectious diseases from poorly managed waste
- Contamination of drinking water
- Gas migration and leachate discharges from landfills
- Emissions of air pollutants from incinerators
- Contamination of food by waste chemicals
Exposures from Landfills
- Gas production and volatization
- Dust contact
- Surface runoff
- Contaminated soils
- Leaching and infiltration
- Contaminated groundwater
- Residential use
- Drinking and recreational water use
- Contaminated sediments
Hazardous Waste Characteristics
- Threat to human health and environment if improperly managed
- Includes materials from manufacturing/specialized industries
- Biomedical wastes
- Photo-finishing chemicals
- Pesticides
- Asbestos
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Motor oil
- Unused cleaning products
- Discarded batteries ("e-waste")
- Radioactive materials
Hazardous Waste Regulations
- Regulated federally under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999)
- Regulates transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and recyclable materials
- In Ontario, governed by the Environmental Protection Act and Regulation 347
- Hazardous waste generators, carriers, and receivers must register with the Hazardous Waste Information Network
- All off-site movement of hazardous waste and liquid industrial waste is tracked using a manifest
E-Waste
- Equipment dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields
- Includes persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and toxins (lead, chromium, cadmium, mercury)
- Potential health consequences:
- Thyroid function change
- Gene expression changes
- DNA damage
- Decreased lung function
- Mental health effects
- Reproductive effects
Example of Waste Management Practices (Toronto)
- Acceptable e-waste items (e.g., electronics, computers)
- Unacceptable e-waste items (e.g., batteries, ink cartridges)
- Methods of disposal: garbage day, drop-off depots, community events, donation
Toxic E-Waste and Developing Countries
- Millions of tonnes of old electronics illegally exported.
- Often dumped in developing countries
Solid Waste Management Approach
- Multi-tiered approach prioritized actions:
- Waste Reduction
- Proper Handling and Disposal
- Source reduction
- Reuse of materials
- Recycling of materials
- Emission controls
- Proper waste disposal
- Cleanup of wastes and spills
Recycling and Composting
- Recycling: diverting materials (glass, metal, plastic, paper) from waste, remanufacturing into new products, or using raw material substitutes
- Composting: breaking down organic materials into simpler substances (bacteria, fungi) to create a stable, humus-like product ("compost")
Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)
- Residents' opposition to local development projects, often due to proximity.
- Often linked to environmental justice concerns
Toronto Trash Issues
- Concerns over locating a new landfill in neighboring communities
- Importance of diverting waste
Canada's Waste Problem (Video Links)
- Provided YouTube video links
Landfill vs. Incinerators
- Need for waste diversion before 2029 due to landfill capacity concerns.
Landfills (Traditional and Modern)
- Traditional landfills: open pits, soil cover, poor biodegradation, health risks
- Sanitary landfills: carefully selected sites, leachate and gas control, daily management, declining number of landfills, most common waste disposal method
- Modern landfills: layered design, gas recovery, leachate treatment, monitoring and collection
Incineration
- Controlled combustion of waste
- Initial ignition in a primary chamber, followed by volatile oxidation in a secondary chamber
- Process control requirements:
- High temperature (750-1200°C)
- Sufficient heating time (30-90 minutes)
- Proper mixing/turbulence
- Combustible air (oxygen) needed
Incineration Advantages and Disadvantages
- Advantages: reduced solid waste volume, low greenhouse emissions compared to landfills, energy recovery
- Disadvantages: expensive to build and operate, some toxic chemical emissions, potential for waste production incentives, not suitable for all wastes
Pyrolysis and Plasma Gasification
- Pyrolysis: thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen. Produces syngas (fuels), char, and ash.
- Gasification: thermal decomposition at high temperatures (480-1650°C) with little oxygen. Converts waste char into syngas, produces non-hazardous glass-like material (slag).
- Benefits include waste diversion, reduced emissions, energy/fuel production, and chemical production
Alberta Plasma Gasification
- Request for plasma gasification technologies to turn garbage into fuel (rural Alberta project)
Durham York Energy Centre
- Waste-to-energy incineration facility (Clarington, ON)
- Processes 140,000 tonnes of household garbage annually
Future of Waste Management
- Data-driven waste management using sensors for optimization.
- Growing trend of reducing food waste due to regulations in some Canadian cities.
- Installing sensors in waste and recycling containers to gather data.
Canada's Zero Plastic Waste Agenda
- Federal, provincial and territorial initiatives to reduce plastic waste
- Phase 1 (2019) actions to improve plastic waste circularity
- Phase 2 (2020) actions to reduce plastic pollution and raise global awareness
Single-Use Plastics
- Environment and Climate Change Canada's prohibitions on the sale of single-use plastics
- Prohibition of plastic checkout bags, cutlery, food serviceware, stir sticks, and straws in Canada
- Companies are given time to adapt to the new regulations.
On-going Legal Issues
- Federal Court of Appeal's stay motion on November 16, 2023 ruling, halting the implementation of the single-use plastics prohibition until an appeal is decided.
Textiles and Clothing
- Issue of green-washing (how much recycled material in clothing items)
- Limited recycling of textile waste
- Recycled polyester often made from plastic bottles
What Happens to Your Textiles (Video links provided)
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Description
This quiz covers essential topics in Waste Management as part of the ENH524 course at Toronto Metropolitan University. It explores causes of land pollution, waste classification, and the health impacts of improper waste disposal. Test your understanding of these critical environmental issues.
