3.3.3 Preventing Hazardous Waste Problems

Preventing Hazardous Waste Problems

3.3.3

Objectives

Learners can:

• explore methods of preventing hazardous waste in the environment

• evaluate the effectiveness of waste prevention strategies

• identify challenges associated with preventing hazardous waste

• agriculture

• hazardous waste

• pesticide

Prerequisite Vocab

• Superfund Act

• Superfund site

New Vocab

Vocabulary

a law passed by the U.S. Congress in the 1980s that held companies responsible for their hazardous waste

​​Superfund Act

a location contaminated with hazardous waste, which must be cleaned by the company responsible

​​Superfund Site

Match

Match the vocabulary word to its definition.

• agriculture

• hazardous waste

• pesticide

farming

waste material harmful to humans

substance used to destroy pests

• farming

• waste material harmful to humans

• substance used to destroy pests

Love Canal is located in the Niagara Falls region of New York. In the 1970s, health issues, especially among children, began to increase. It quickly became clear that the town had been built on an area used as a burial site for toxic waste.

Love Canal

Open Ended

Do you think anyone should be held responsible for what happened at Love Canal? Why or why not?

Superfund Act

The Superfund Act is a law passed by the U.S. Congress in the 1980s that held companies responsible for their hazardous waste. Under the Superfund Act, companies now had to show that they were properly managing and disposing of hazardous materials, and would have to pay for the cleanup of any hazardous waste released.

Superfund Sites

Locations identified by the government as places where companies are responsible for cleaning their hazardous waste are called Superfund sites. There are almost 2,000 Superfund sites in the United States. The three states with the most Superfund sites are:

• New Jersey (115)

• California (114)

• Pennsylvania (95)

Search for Superfund Sites Where You Live | US EPALockPrimary navigationOpen Sidenav MenuClose Sidenav Menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menuexpand or collapse the child menu

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Methods of Preventing Hazardous Waste

• using safer production methods and materials

• transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources

• recycling waste

Industry

• use more natural fertilizers like composts

• develop more natural strategies for pest control to reduce the use of chemicals

Agriculture

Effectiveness of Waste Prevention Strategies

Effectively reducing and preventing waste helps to manage the amount of hazardous material that enters the environment. Reducing waste at the source and implementing recycling strategies minimizes the amount of waste produced and the amount of waste that needs to be disposed of. Two generally effective strategies are reusing materials and recycling materials.

• reduces the need for new products that may produce waste

• ex. composting waste to use as fertilizer rather than chemicals

Reusable Materials

• minimizes the need for extracting new resources

• provides a source of material for new products

Recycling Materials

Prevention Challenges

• makes it difficult to address the issue

• the more people know, the more damage can be prevented

Lack of Awareness

• not always accessible due to cost or availability

• financial resources are needed to address situations adequately

Cost & Availability

• creates resistance from companies to adjust their approach because it costs them money

Profit Concerns

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a challenge faced when preventing hazardous waste problems?

• prioritizing profits over sustainability

• lacking enough trash cans to dispose of hazardous waste

• a shortage of artificial chemicals and materials

• spending too much on education about hazardous waste

Open Ended

What is something you could do in your day-to-day life to reduce hazardous waste?

• use nontoxic and biodegradable cleaners

• ex. vinegar and lemon juice

Cleaners

• drop off batteries and electronics at designated recycling locations

Proper Disposal

• reduce the demand for disposable materials

• helps to reduce the need for extracting and producing new items

Reusable Bags