WASTEEcoEd Upper Elementary Research Program
April 3rd, 2014Presented by Michelle Laura Zeliph
What is waste?Waste are items we don’t need and discard.
Who produces waste?IndividualsOfficesSchoolsIndustriesHospitalsAll living things- but they make a lot less than
humans!
Types of Waste• Liquid• Solid• Hazardous• Organic• Recyclable • Electronic
Where does it go?Solid waste goes primarily to landfills
What makes a landfill different?
Problems with landfillsRunning out of space to build new landfills
Filling up existing landfills faster than we can build new ones
Sometimes they leak and can cause pollution problems
Trash in landfills breaks down REALLY slowly!
Video Clips
Staten Island Landfill
Landfill Problems
Other options• Incineration
• Waste-to-energy plants
• Recycling
• Composting
What’s the difference between an incinerator and a waste-to-energy plant?
IncineratorsDo not create energy
Do not always remove hazardous or recyclable materials
Cause air pollution
Waste-to-Energy Plants
Burn waste to create heat
Heat used to make steam
Steam used to make energy
Filters air
RecyclingOnly 2% of waste in the U.S. is recycled!
Recycling helps us-• Conserve natural resources• Save energy• Protect the environment
Composting40% of our garbage is made up of compostable kitchen and garden waste!
Advantage of composting-Composted materials enrich the soil and plantsIt can be done safely in your own backyardIt saves space in landfills by reusing organic
materials
Closed Loop of Compost
Final Thoughts from Bill NyeRethink Waste
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