Universal Waste Poster PDF
1
Universal Waste: Increasing Collection Rates Through Global Disposal Inc. Jillian Wirt, Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences Matt Rahn, Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences Global Disposal Inc. Objectives Calculations References Introduction Mercury contamination in the environment poses detrimental health effects to humans. Though mercury occurs naturally in the environment, accumulation of this metal in the environment is known to greatly harm the central nervous system in the human body (Risher, 2003). Prominent symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, birth defects, and headaches (Risher, 2003). Universal waste includes materials whose mercury or lead content is high, and toxic to the environment if not disposed of properly. A waste composition study was conducted in 2012-2013 for the city of San Diego in order to determine the amounts of materials that were being generated to the landfill in hopes to delegate more recycling and diverting programs (City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report, 2014). Universal waste included in the study was classified under Household Hazardous Waste, and made up about 0.2% (2,157 tons=4,755,371 pounds) of the overall disposed waste in 2012-2013 (City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report; Overall Waste Streams, 2014). Global Disposal Inc. is a waste consulting company who’s goal is lower the cost of waste services while providing additional electronic waste, universal waste, and bulk item pickups. This project was conducted with the help of Global Disposal Inc. in calculating the potential amount of universal waste that could be collected with all of their accounts and universal waste programs versus going to the landfill. In analyzing past waste composition studies, designing a universal waste survey, and calculating the potential universal waste collection by Global Disposal, the amount of mercury and lead containing products going to the landfill will decrease. Methods Implications of Research The goal of this project is to estimate how much people really know about universal waste, and determine how much diversion of universal waste Global Disposal can contribute. In order to accurately determine potential amounts of universal waste collection totals for Global Disposal, it was necessary to define what exactly universal waste is using the California Universal Waste Rule (2002). Universal waste can also pose human health threats if mercury and lead accumulate in the groundwater. Past waste characterization studies showed how much universal waste was collected in the waste stream, and we designed a general survey that was posted to Jillian’s Facebook profile, and taken by whichever of her friends saw the link. The survey asked 7 questions total; some containing demographic information and others about universal waste with 137 responses. Global Disposal has 4,829 accounts with access to universal waste collection programs. Taking the potential amount of universal waste each account can contribute to Global Disposal and dividing it by the total amount of universal waste collected from the waste composition study will provide a percentage of universal waste collection that Global Disposal can collect and prevent from going into the landfill. Out of 137 responses, approximately 32% and 33% of respondents to the SurveyMonkey Universal Waste Survey question: “How do you currently dispose of cell phones, batteries, and CFL lightbulbs?” answered with “I throw them in the trash” and “I store them in my house because I don’t know how to properly dispose of them.” Before beginning the survey, approximately 56% of respondents did not know that universal waste includes batteries, cell phones, and CFL lightbulbs. 553 tons=1,219,156 pounds of household hazardous waste from the waste composition study for 2012-2013 is classified as universal waste. If all 4,829 accounts of Global Disposal gave 10 pounds each of universal waste (48,290 pounds), that would account for about 4% of universal waste that would otherwise be going into the landfill. (48,290 lbs / 1,219,156 lbs) = 0.039 x 100 = ~4% Mercury and lead are highly toxic chemicals that can be leached into groundwater if universal waste is put into the landfill. Mercury and lead poisoning are dangerous and harmful to human health. By increasing universal waste collection programs to where they can be properly collected and disposed of will decrease the likelihood of toxic chemicals leaching into the groundwater. Though the diversion of universal waste from the landfill by Global Disposal is small, the amounts can be increased with improved marketing and educational programs. Future programs can be advertised to account members to encourage more participation in universal waste pickup events. DISPOSAL G LOBAL INC. California Universal Waste Rule (2002). City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report. (2014). San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.sandiego.gov/ environmental-services/pdf/recycling/CompStudy.pdf City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report; Overall Waste Streams. (2014) (p. 3). San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/pdf/recycling/ CompOverall.pdf Risher, J. F. (2003). Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 50 ELEMENTAL MERCURY AND INORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS: HUMAN HEALTH ASPECTS.
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Transcript of Universal Waste Poster PDF
Universal Waste: Increasing Collection Rates Through Global Disposal Inc.
Jillian Wirt, Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences Matt Rahn, Environmental Sciences, College of Sciences
Global Disposal Inc.
Objectives
Calculations References
Introduction Mercury contamination in the environment poses detrimental health effects to humans. Though mercury occurs naturally in the environment, accumulation of this metal in the environment is known to greatly harm the central nervous system in the human body (Risher, 2003). Prominent symptoms include tremors, insomnia, memory loss, birth defects, and headaches (Risher, 2003). Universal waste includes materials whose mercury or lead content is high, and toxic to the environment if not disposed of properly. A waste composition study was conducted in 2012-2013 for the city of San Diego in order to determine the amounts of materials that were being generated to the landfill in hopes to delegate more recycling and diverting programs (City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report, 2014). Universal waste included in the study was classified under Household Hazardous Waste, and made up about 0.2% (2,157 tons=4,755,371 pounds) of the overall disposed waste in 2012-2013 (City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report; Overall Waste Streams, 2014). Global Disposal Inc. is a waste consulting company who’s goal is lower the cost of waste services while providing additional electronic waste, universal waste, and bulk item pickups. This project was conducted with the help of Global Disposal Inc. in calculating the potential amount of universal waste that could be collected with all of their accounts and universal waste programs versus going to the landfill. In analyzing past waste composition studies, designing a universal waste survey, and calculating the potential universal waste collection by Global Disposal, the amount of mercury and lead containing products going to the landfill will decrease.
Methods
Implications of Research
The goal of this project is to estimate how much people really know about universal waste, and determine how much diversion of universal waste Global Disposal can contribute.
In order to accurately determine potential amounts of universal waste collection totals for Global Disposal, it was necessary to define what exactly universal waste is using the California Universal Waste Rule (2002). Universal waste can also pose human health threats if mercury and lead accumulate in the groundwater. Past waste characterization studies showed how much universal waste was collected in the waste stream, and we designed a general survey that was posted to Jillian’s Facebook profile, and taken by whichever of her friends saw the link. The survey asked 7 questions total; some containing demographic information and others about universal waste with 137 responses. Global Disposal has 4,829 accounts with access to universal waste collection programs. Taking the potential amount of universal waste each account can contribute to Global Disposal and dividing it by the total amount of universal waste collected from the waste composition study will provide a percentage of universal waste collection that Global Disposal can collect and prevent from going into the landfill.
Out of 137 responses, approximately 32% and 33% of respondents to the SurveyMonkey Universal Waste Survey question: “How do you currently dispose of cell phones, batteries, and CFL lightbulbs?” answered with “I throw them in the trash” and “I store them in my house because I don’t know how to properly dispose of them.” Before beginning the survey, approximately 56% of respondents did not know that universal waste includes batteries, cell phones, and CFL lightbulbs. 553 tons=1,219,156 pounds of household hazardous waste from the waste composition study for 2012-2013 is classified as universal waste. If all 4,829 accounts of Global Disposal gave 10 pounds each of universal waste (48,290 pounds), that would account for about 4% of universal waste that would otherwise be going into the landfill. (48,290 lbs / 1,219,156 lbs) = 0.039 x 100 = ~4%
Mercury and lead are highly toxic chemicals that can be leached into groundwater if universal waste is put into the landfill. Mercury and lead poisoning are dangerous and harmful to human health. By increasing universal waste collection programs to where they can be properly collected and disposed of will decrease the likelihood of toxic chemicals leaching into the groundwater. Though the diversion of universal waste from the landfill by Global Disposal is small, the amounts can be increased with improved marketing and educational programs. Future programs can be advertised to account members to encourage more participation in universal waste pickup events.
DISPOSALGLOBAL
INC.
California Universal Waste Rule (2002). City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report. (2014). San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/pdf/recycling/CompStudy.pdf City of San Diego: Waste Characterization Study 2012-2013 Final Report; Overall Waste Streams. (2014) (p. 3). San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/pdf/recycling/CompOverall.pdf Risher, J. F. (2003). Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 50 ELEMENTAL MERCURY AND INORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS : HUMAN HEALTH ASPECTS.
