PDS APES 8th Period 2009-10

More recent topics we’ve studied keep popping up in the news–have you noticed?

Connecticut Town Bans Plastic Shopping Bags
http://ecolocalizer.com/2008/09/30/connecticut-town-bans-plastic-shopping-bags/

UK Beaches Swamped by Plastic Litter, Say Campaigners
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8586920.stm

5 Recycling Brainteasers
http://www.slate.com/id/2248043/

Motorola Unveils Phone Made from Recycled Bottles
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5057JF20090106

AND…here is a shocker that concerns our NEXT unit on energy resources:

Barack Obama Eases Offshore Oil Drilling Ban
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8596692.stm

Enjoy the LONG weekend and rest up for the final push!

-W

Can anyone tell me what the point of Bioremedation and Phytoremediation are, because as Mr. Willard said, “there is no away.” Aren’t we just transfering the problem of hazardous wastes from one place to another, without solving the problem?

Okay, so I have down for the definition of integrated waste management “a variety of strategies for both waste reduction and waste management.” Is that it?? That just seems very vague to me. I understand the reducing trash part but are there any particular approaches to waste management that characterize integrated waste management?

Hey guys, this question was #24 on the study guide.

When I was reading the book, all I found was a definition–it didn’t necessarily seem like a goal to me. But this is what I found: “Protection from environmental hazard regardless to race, age, gender, origin, or income.”

Were there any GOALS that anyone found?

Thanks,

AG

So, when we were talking about RCRA’s classifications for hazardous waste in class today, I was a little confused. I know that corrosive, ignitable, and reactive wastes were all classified as hazardous, but aren’t corrosive and ignitable technically just subcategories of reactive? I mean, when stuff ignites, it’s reacting with oxygen at high temperatures, and when strong acids and bases corrode other materials, they’re reacting with them. I’m just wondering if it’s possible for a waste to be corrosive or ignitable without being reactive. Thanks!

What are the priorities of waste reduction? The book says “refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle,” but it does not include redesign. Could someone clarify the order, please?

Okay…So our book says that 80-90% of the world’s hazardous wastes is produced by developed nations, with the United States leading the way.  However, to me it seems like nations such as China that are in the process of inten industrialization would be producing much more hazardous waste or waste in general than an already “established” nation such as the United States.  I guess I can understand why the U.S. produces about 1/3 of the world’s solid waste because we are a nation of excessive consumption, but it seems to me that developing nations should be contributing a little more to the total hazardous waste count?!  Also, I’m just curious to know if as a class, y’all leaned more towards “pro” recycling or “con” recycling…And then as a nation, does the U.S. lean towards one direction rather than the other, as well?

Hi everyone. I have a question about number 6 on the study guide, which discusses the differences between waste management and waste reduction. I am confused about why waste management doesn’t seem to reduce the amount of waste produced. Doesn’t it encourage people to use less? Or does it just attempt to reduce the environmental harm through safe storage. Also, does waste reduction attack the second R: reduce? Does it employ the precautionary principle by encouraging people to produce less waste? I need clarification on the two and their differences. Thanks!

My question comes from #17 on the study guide about treatment methods for hazardous waste.  This is what I understand so far:  biological methods include bioremediation and phytoremediation, chemical methods include incineration, right? … I’m confused about physical methods of hazardous waste treatment methods (I’m guessing I completely missed this in the book, but I read over it several times).  In the book I see where it says, “…where three-fourths of the waste is detoxified by physical, chemical, and biological methods” (pg392).  Then it goes on to talk about these methods and then the storage of hazardous wastes; I feel like it never fully discusses each type of method available for treating hazardous waste.  Does anyone know about the physical methods?  Or can anyone point out where this might be in the book?  Or correct me if I’m totally wrong, please!  Thanks!!!

So maybe I am just overlooking this, but I swear I have read the chapter three times and I cannot figure out how much of the world’s hazardous waste is produced by the United States (Study Guide question 4).

Thanks if anyone can clue me in!

Also, just for clarification, Charlotte has a MRF correct? We don’t really separate all of our recyclables that well, so that is what I am assuming.