ML050480087
| ML050480087 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Millstone  |
| Issue date: | 12/06/2004 |
| From: | Environmental Protection Agency |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML050480087 (2) | |
Text
go Municipal Solid Waste - MSW Disposal Pagel1 of 2 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Municipal Solid Waste Recent Additions I Contact Us I Print Version Search: F B
EPA Home > Wastes > Municipl Solid Wasle > MSW Disposal Home Basic Facts Frequently Asked Questions Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle MSW Commodities MSW Disposal MSW Programs MSW State Data MSW Topics MSW Disposal Landfilling Although source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting can divert large portions of municipal solid waste (MSW) from disposal, some waste still must be placed in landfills. Modern landfills are well-engineered facilities that are located,
__L designed, operated, monitored, closed, cared for after closure, cleaned up when necessary, and financed to insure compliance with federal regulations. The federal regulations were established to protect human health and the environment. In addition, these new landfills can collect potentially harmful landfill gas emissions and convert the gas into energy.
Federal Landfill Standards Clarification of Aprl 6. 2004 Memo on Recommended Interim Practices for Disposal of Potentially Contaminated Chronic Wasting Disease Carcasses and Wastes -
November 12, 2004 [PDF File, 93 KB, About PDF1
- Recommended Interim Practices for Disposal of Potentially Contaminated Chronic Wasting Disease Carcasses and Wastes - April 6, 2004 [PDF File, 14 KB]
- Landfill Publications
- Landfill Methane Outreach Program
- Landfill Regulations
- Landfill Air Emission Regulations and Air Models
- Location restrictions ensure that landfills are built in suitable geological areas away from faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas.
- Liners are geomembrane or plastic sheets reinforced with two feet of clay on the bottom and sides of landfills.
- Operating practices such as compacting and covering waste frequently with several inches of soil help reduce odor; control litter, insects, and rodents; and protect public health.
- Groundwater monitoring requires testing groundwater wells to determine whether waste materials have escaped from the landfill.
- Closure and postclosure care include covering landfills and providing long-term care of closed landfills.
- Corrective action controls and cleans up landfill releases and achieves groundwater protection standards.
- Financial assurance provides funding for environmental protection during and after landfill closure (i.e.,
closure and postclosure care).
Combustion and Incineration To reduce waste volume, local governments or private operators can implement a controlled burning process called combustion or incineration. In addition to http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncplldisposal.htm 12/6/2004
Municipal Solid Waste - MSW Disposal Page 2 of 2 minimizing volume, combustors, when properly equipped, can convert water into steam to fuel heating systems or generate electricity.
Benefits of Combustion Burning MSW can generate energy while reducing the amount of waste by up to 90 percent in volume and 75 percent in weight.
landfilled.
A variety of pollution control technologies reduce the toxic materials emitted in combustion smoke.
Among these are scrubbers-a device that uses a liquid spray to neutralize acid gases in smoke-and filters, which remove tiny ash particles from the smoke. Buming waste at extremely high temperatures also destroys harmful chemical compounds and disease-causing bacteria. Regular testing ensures that residual ash is nonhazardous before being
- Combustion and Incineration Regulations LI[Tdivciaimrr:>
EPA's Office of Air and Radiation is primarily responsible for regulating combustors and incinerators because air emissions from combustion pose the greatest environmental concern.
Household Hazardous Waste Common household items such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides contain hazardous components. Leftover portions of these products are called household hazardous waste. These products, if mishandled, can be dangerous to your health and the environment.
- More About Household Hazardous Waste Back to top EPA Home I PEvacy acd Secuzty Notice I Contac Us Last updated on Tuesday. November 1 6th. 2004 URL: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hwlmuncpl/disposal.htm http://NNwvw.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/disposal.htm 12/6/2004