Hey guys, so on the study guide, number 7 asks the four R’s of waste reduction and also notes that they need to be prioritized. The order gave in the book didn’t seem like what we went over in class…and also Mr. Willard has been talking about redesign the past few days, and that was completely left out. Mr. Willard…or someone else, if you could just please clarify the order…and where redesign fits in to the list? Thanks!
Okay, so I had a question on waste-to-energy incinerators. Are all incinerators waste-to-energy? Do they all produce excess energy that can be used as electricity or for other uses? I just didn’t know if there were special incinerators that were waste-to-energy or if they were all like that. Also, in the book it says that these incinerators “boil water to make steam,” so does that mean after the waste has been burned there is water left over? I’m just a little confused on the process, and the diagram 16-10 isn’t helping me much.
So in class, we’ve discussed how landfills are now the norm over incinerators due to the fact they are more convenient, less expensive and don’t release as many toxins into the air. So I guess my question is, why are incinerators still being built and used if the landfill is overall better for the environment? Is it a matter of convienience or cost? Thanks to anyone that can help!
Hi everyone! Ok so I have been looking at figure 16-10 for a while and need some explaining. So the trash is burned into ash, and then the heat from burning it boils water for energy, and then the ash is disposed of, but what is the Electrostatic precipitator? I guess I just don’t see where that fits in and what it does….and same with the fly ash? Any comments just clarifying would be great!
Hey guys. I was having trouble figuring out exactly how hazardous waste is treated PHYSICALLY and CHEMICALLY (question 17 on the study guide). I know that bioremediation and phytoremediation are both biological methods used to absorb and eliminate toxic wastes, but what else is there? Also, does physical treatment include placing hazardous waste in surface impoundments, deep-wells, and secure landfills? Any help here would be lovely.
Also, here is a 20 minute TEDTalk by William McDonough (from 2005)on some of his design ideas if you want to know more:
Seems idealistic, but you have to realize this is ALREADY changing BIG businesses (like Nike, Ford) in positive ways. If we do focus on good design (redesign) and refuse to use toxins in production, we can prevent a great deal of waste (esp. hazardous waste) and spend less money on/spend less time worrying about trash and recycling it. Will McDonough is a champion of a new set of Rs and if his revolution succeeds, we’ll no longer have a “grave.” Notice this puts a greater burden on engineers and product designers to eliminate waste, and lesser burden on the consumer to dispose of it.
2. Since we can’t visit the local one this year, here is a short animated intro on a materials recovery facility (MRF) and you can find out more about how each material is reclaimed at: http://www.explorethecycle.com/
3. Like history? Watch this 19-minute video called Gone Tomorrow: The Hidden Life of Garbage based on the book of the same title by Heather Rogers:
And, if you have 30 minutes more: Laugh out loud as Penn and Teller deconstruct the value of recycling in this episode oftheirshow, Bullshit. The show seems to be based on the John Tierney article we read, “Recycling is Garbage.” Warning-if you are in public-some language is inappropriate (at least for school).
I forgot to name a scribe today so, I’ll handle the duty again. In fact, I’ll try to scan and post a top-quality version of the material-flow economy diagram in “the box” soon. I must admit I borrowed a good bit of my concept for the diagram from The Story of Stuff project. You can see the 20 minute video below:
*They’ve even got a brand-new one out on bottled water. See it here.
The group that made this obviously has an agenda. There is much true in the video, but it does oversimplify some issues. This video has been widely circulated over the last few years. Some folks have reacted strongly to it. Check out this 4 minute Fox News bit hosted by conservative commentator Glen Beck:
I used it because I wanted you guys to think through the often invisible “upstream” portion of the waste stream and how the 3 R’s impact it. Folks will always debate ecology/health versus economy. I’d like to think it is not about who is right or wrong, rather it is about tradeoffs…what do you think?
