Solid Waste Disposal Methods
Solid waste is discarded in four basic ways : (1) open dumps, (2) sanitary landfills, (3) incineration, and (4) salvage. Of these methods, the open dump (now illegal in most states) is the oldest, most convenient, and most economical. However, this method creates many health problems and is esthetically undesirable. Dumps serve as breeding areas for rodents, flies, and other insects such as cockroaches; they also attract seagulls, notorious as thieves and litterers.
Houseflies carry poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, and cholera. Rats carry plague, tapeworm, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and rat-bite fever. Water running off from these dumps pollutes local streams and lakes. Rain and surface water can seep through the wastes and pollute underground water. Any attempt to burn the surface waste in the dumps emits large quantities of foul-smelling fumes that increase air pollution and thus respiratory problems among local inhabitants. Dumps also invite accidents and fires as well as lower the value of surrounding property.
Landfills, when handled properly, can be enconomical, sanitary, and esthetically acceptable. These areas should be placed far from water sources. Even with this precaution, underground or surface water may become polluted. The waste should be quickly covered to avoid foul smells, spontaneous combustion, breeding of rats and flies, and scavenging by rodents.
Approximately 80 percent of household solid wastes are combustible and therefore suitable for incineration. Decentralized incineration is usually poorly controlled and it frequently produces gaseous emissions and particulates that pollute the air and damage man`s health. Central incineration conducted by federal, state, or local governmental bodies is expensive, although necessary for large urban areas. The controlled-combustion process used in these centers prevents the emission of harmful gases and uses the by-product heat for an energy source. Through incineration, the volume of waste can be reduced to one-fifth of its original bulk. The remaining material can be removed to landfills or compressed for use in soil conditioners or construction material.
In the last ten years the composition of solid waste has changed; now it includes larger amounts of paper, plastics, aluminum cans, and other packaging and wrapping materials. Many of these materials will not decompose or rust; therefore, they present new problems in disposal. If these products are salvaged, they can be recycled, treated by mechanical, thermal, or biological means so that they can be used again, thus promoting resource recovery and reuse.
One type of waste product which has drawn considerable attention recently is radioactive wastes. Some fission products that must be stored are cesium 137, strontium 90, iodine 131, and plutonium 239. Some of these decay in hours or days while others require thousands and millions of years to lose their radioactive potency. No satisfactory method of permanent disposal has been developed; cost and fear of leakage from the storage area have been stumbling blocks.
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