Waste Disposal (HL IB ESS OLD COURSE - IGNORE)

Revision Note

Waste Disposal Methods

  • Waste disposal is critical in managing and minimising the environmental impact of waste

  • Various methods are available

    • Each has advantages and disadvantages that should be taken into account when considering their impact on societies and ecosystems

1. Landfill sites

  • Landfills involve burying waste in designated areas in large holes dug into the ground

Advantages

  • Centralised waste management: provide a single location for managing large volumes of waste

  • Flexible: handle a wide range of materials, including non-recyclable materials

  • Lower operational costs: relatively inexpensive compared to other waste disposal methods

  • Reduced environmental impact: can be engineered with liners and leachate collection systems to minimise environmental impact

  • Gas capture potential: some capture methane gas, which can be used as an energy source

Disadvantages

  • Methane generation: produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas

  • Land requirements: needs significant land, which can be difficult to find

  • Risk of contamination: potential for groundwater and soil pollution from leachate

  • Long-term monitoring: requires management long after closure

  • Environmental injustice: often causes noise and smell pollution in less affluent urban outskirts

    • This disproportionately impacts the health and quality of life of residents in these areas

2. Incineration

  • Incineration involves burning waste materials at high temperatures to reduce their volume

Advantages

  • Reduces waste volume: drastically cuts down the physical size of waste

  • Less reliance on landfills: reduces amount of waste sent to landfill sites

  • Handles hazardous waste: can process hazardous materials safely

Disadvantages

  • Air pollution: emits harmful gases and pollutants, including greenhouse gases

  • High operational costs: requires expensive technology and maintenance.

  • Ash disposal: produces toxic ash that requires careful disposal

  • Public concern: communities often oppose incinerators due to health and environmental concerns

3. Waste-to-energy (WtE)

  • Waste-to-energy (WtE) or energy-from-waste (EfW) plants burn waste to generate electricity or heat

Advantages

  • Energy recovery: converts waste into usable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels

  • Reduces landfill use: decreases the amount of waste sent to landfills

  • Waste volume reduction: significantly reduces the amount of waste

Disadvantages

  • Pollution risks: can release harmful emissions and greenhouse gases unless controlled properly

  • High capital investment: expensive to build, operate and maintain WtE plants

  • Limited by waste composition: not all types of waste can be efficiently converted to energy

  • Not a perfect solution: still encourages waste generation instead of focusing on reduction and recycling.

4. Exporting Waste

  • Exporting waste involves sending waste materials to other countries for treatment, recycling or disposal

Advantages

  • Offloads waste responsibility: countries with waste management challenges can send waste to others

  • Reduces domestic pressure: eases the burden on local waste management systems

  • Access to advanced facilities: may provide waste producers with access to specialised waste treatment options

  • Economic benefit: may be cheaper for some countries to export waste than to process it locally

Disadvantages

  • Environmental injustice: exporting to low-income countries may cause environmental and social harm there, raising ethical concerns

  • Environmental impact of transport: shipping waste long distances increases carbon emissions

  • Legal risks: can lead to legal issues between exporting and importing nations

  • Long-term effects: does not help solve the root cause of excessive waste generation

5. Recycling

  • Recycling involves converting waste materials into new, usable products

Advantages

  • Resource conservation: saves raw materials and reduces the need for new resource extraction, which can be environmentally damaging and polluting

  • Energy savings: recycling typically uses less energy than producing new materials

  • Economic cost: may be cheaper than other waste disposal options

  • Reduces landfill and incineration: keeps recyclable materials out of waste disposal facilities

Disadvantages

  • Energy use in processing: sorting, collecting and processing recyclables can be energy-intensive

  • Limited recycling facilities: availability and access to recycling facilities can vary between countries and regions

  • Contamination: contaminated recyclables can reduce the efficiency of the recycling process

  • Limited market: not all materials are recyclable and there can be limited demand for recycled products

6. Composting

  • Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil

Advantages

  • Environmentally friendly: composting produces natural fertilisers, reducing the need for chemical alternatives

  • Reduces landfill waste: organic matter is kept out of landfills, lowering methane emissions

  • Enriches soil: compost improves soil health and can enhance crop growth

  • Low cost: can be done on a small scale at home or in local communities

Disadvantages

  • Limited to organic waste: can only handle biodegradable materials

  • Space and time requirements: requires space for compost piles and can take time to break down waste

  • Potential for odour: if not properly managed, composting can create unpleasant smells

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Be prepared to explain how each method affects the environment, especially in terms of pollution, resource use and sustainability. You should also be able to discuss how waste management affects communities.

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