wasting resources

1. Wasting ResourcesWasting Resources

2. Core Case Study: E Waste – AnCore Case Study: E Waste – An
Exploding ProblemExploding Problem
 Electronic waste (e-waste) is the fastestElectronic waste (e-waste) is the fastest
growing solid waste problemgrowing solid waste problem
 Most ends up in landfills and incineratorsMost ends up in landfills and incinerators
 Composition includes:Composition includes:

High-quality plasticsHigh-quality plastics

Valuable metalsValuable metals

Toxic and hazardousToxic and hazardous
pollutantspollutants

3. Core Case Study: E Waste – AnCore Case Study: E Waste – An
Exploding ProblemExploding Problem
 Shipped to other countriesShipped to other countries
 International Basel ConventionInternational Basel Convention

Bans transferring hazardous wastes fromBans transferring hazardous wastes from
developed countries to developing countriesdeveloped countries to developing countries
 European UnionEuropean Union

Cradle-to-grave approachCradle-to-grave approach

4. WASTING RESOURCESWASTING RESOURCES
 Solid wasteSolid waste – any unwanted or discarded– any unwanted or discarded
material we produce (some include liquids)material we produce (some include liquids)

Municipal solid waste (MSW)Municipal solid waste (MSW) – produce directly– produce directly
in homes and workplaces – trash, garbagein homes and workplaces – trash, garbage

Industrial solid wasteIndustrial solid waste – produced indirectly by– produced indirectly by
industries that supply people with goods andindustries that supply people with goods and
services – mines, factories, refineries, agricultureservices – mines, factories, refineries, agriculture
 Hazardous (toxic) wasteHazardous (toxic) waste – threatens human– threatens human
health or the environment because it is toxic,health or the environment because it is toxic,
chemically active, corrosive or flammablechemically active, corrosive or flammable

5. WASTING RESOURCESWASTING RESOURCES
 AffluenzaAffluenza – addiction to overconsumption– addiction to overconsumption
and materialism in some lifestylesand materialism in some lifestyles
 U.S. produces 25% of world’s solid wasteU.S. produces 25% of world’s solid waste
(4.6% of pop.) – more than ½ buried in(4.6% of pop.) – more than ½ buried in
landfillslandfills

98.5% is industrial solid waste98.5% is industrial solid waste

1.5% is MSW1.5% is MSW
• About 67% of U.S. MSW is dumped into landfills, 24%About 67% of U.S. MSW is dumped into landfills, 24%
is recycled or composted, 9% is burned in incineratorsis recycled or composted, 9% is burned in incinerators
• 7 pounds per person per day – 2X other developed7 pounds per person per day – 2X other developed
countries, 5 – 10X developing countriescountries, 5 – 10X developing countries

6. The Story of Stuff

7. The Story of Stuff