Lecture 1 - Key concepts in solid waste management policy and systems (Ch. 1.1-1.2) Flashcards
What is the definition of wastes according to the Basel Convention?
“substances or objects which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by the provisions of the law”
What is the definition of waste according to The Waste Framework Directive (DIRECTIVE 2008/98/EC)?
‘waste’ means any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard.
What is the definition of waste according to the textbook by Christensen, 2010?
“Waste is a left-over, a redundant product or material of no or marginal value for the owner and which the owner wants to discard.”
How circular is the global economy?
5-7%
How is solid waste defined?
Solid wasteis mostly in a solid state, but also sludge from wastewater treatment and liquid chemical waste are in its scope.
excluded are: water (wastewater) and air borne (flue gasses).
The solid waste can be divided in two important groups. Which?
Hazardous vs. non-hazardous
- Important to distinguish because of practical reasons (different treatment) and regulatory aspects
- Waste may be hazardous because of
- Specific properties: explosive, oxidizing, toxic, carcinogenic, infectious (medical waste)
How is waste defined by EU?
Once a substance or object has become waste, it will remain waste until it has been fully recovered and no longer poses a potential threat to the environment or to human health
Mention the three historical drivers for environmental policy and specifically waste management policy.
- Reduce impacts on Human Health
- Reduce negative environmental impacts
- Create an Energy and Ressource efficient economy.
In EU 28, ca. 2,5 billion tonnes of waste are produced anually. How much does MSW make up of this?
ca. 10%
What is the definition of backfilling?
It means any recovery operation where suitable non- hazardous waste is used for purposes of reclamation in excavated areas or for engineering purposes in landscaping. Waste used for backfilling must substitute non-waste materials, be suitable for the aforementioned purposes, and be limited to the amount strictly necessary to achieve those purposes.
Why is MSW important to handle?
Because of its characteristics: complexity, biological activity etc.
How much MSW is on average generated per capita per day on a global scale?
The world generates 0.74 kg of municipal waste per capita per day (range 0.11 to 4.54)
Estimated at over 2 Gt/y and projected to increase to 4-5 Gt/y by 2100
Around 44% is food waste and green waste
How did the following conventions and protocols contribute to waste management?
- The Basel Convention
- The Montreal Protocol
- The Kyoto Protocol
- The Aarhus Convention
- The Paris Agreement
- The Basel Convention (22 March 1989; UNEP, 1989) provides an international regulation on hazardous waste export and transport
- The Montreal Protocol (16 January 1987; UNEP, 2000) limits the use of chlorinated and fluorinated compounds in consumer products and restricts the emission of these compounds because of their ability to deplete stratospheric ozone
- The Kyoto Protocol (11 December 1997; UN, 1998) commits countries that ratify the protocol to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases or engage in emission trading
- The Aarhus Convention (25 June 1998; UNECE, 1998) focusses on public participation, human rights and links government accountability by environmental protection.
- The Paris Agreement (4 November 2016)
Which role do the state and country level play in waste management?
National or state authorities create the framework for the municipalities, which are the main decision-makers in waste management in most Western countries. The framework may contain:
- specific goals to be achieved (e.g.recycling goals),
- specific guidelines as to how planning is done or how facilities should be constructed and operated
State and county often are the approving authority that shall assess and license specific facilities, privately as well as publicly owned. At the state level, taxescan be introduced to economically force waste management towards certain desirable goals.
Which role do the muncipalities and regions play in waste management?
Municipalities often have the responsibility to establish systems for waste management including a range of services with sufficient capacity. Municipalities (and sometimes the State) make the concrete decision on source separation as well as treatment and disposal facilities: type, capacity, location. Consequently, they also have the financial responsibility and power to collect fees for using the waste management system.
Which role do producers and individual industries and citizens play in the waste management?
As a basic principle, the producer of the waste is responsible for its management until the waste and the responsibility for its management are transferred to an authorized entity, e.g.the municipality or a licensed private company. This transfer is at the cost of the waste producer.