Landfill diversion
Waste diversion or landfill diversion is the process of diverting waste from landfill. The success of landfill diversion can be measured by comparison of the size of the landfill from one year to the next. If the landfill grows minimally or remains the same, then policies covering landfill diversion are successful. For example, currently in the United States there are 3000 landfills.[1] A measure of the success of landfill diversion would be if that number remains the same or is reduced.
Landfill diversion can occur through recycling. Recycling refers to taking used materials and creating new products in order to prevent the disposal of these products in landfills. Recycling material can include glass, paper, metal, plastic, textiles, and electronics.
In addition to reusing materials waste products can go through biological treatment. There are two types of biological treatments anaerobic digestion or composting. Simply stated, biological treatment is the breaking down of material through the action of micro-organisms. Materials are broken down to carbon dioxide, water and biomass. Some materials easily break down, others do not. The environment in which the material is placed determines the speed of breakdown.
Another method of landfill diversion is thermal treatment (such as Incineration). Approximately sixteen percent (16%) of waste is incinerated yearly in the United States.[2] One-fifth (1/5) of municipal solid waste is recycled into usable fuel.[3] Incineration, however, can lead to other environmental issues that may have positive or negative results.
European waste legislation focuses upon the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill, due to its potential to add to the effects of climate change[citation needed].[4]
[edit] See also
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[edit] References
- ^ "Wastes | Browse EPA Topics | US EPA". Epa.gov. June 28, 2006. http://www.epa.gov/ebtpages/wastes.html. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ "Statistics". Zerowasteamerica.org. http://zerowasteamerica.org/Statistics.htm. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ "Combustion | Municipal Solid Waste | Wastes | US EPA". Epa.gov. June 28, 2006. http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/combustion.htm. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ http://www.recyclecddebris.com/rCDd/Resources/Documents/CSIEurope01.pdf
