1. UniversalWaste: Increasing Collection Rates Through Global Disposal Inc.
JillianWirt, 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
GLOBAL
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.