Tarlac State University

College of Engineering
S.Y. 2017-2018

Environmental Engineering

Submitted by:
Rina Marie M. Baluyot

Submitted to:
Sir Aldrin M. Villanueva
 1. Solid Environment
What is Solid Waste?
Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant,
water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded materials
including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material, resulting from industrial,
commercial, mining and agricultural operations, and from community activities, but does not
include solid or dissolved materials in domestic sewage, or solid or dissolved materials in
irrigation return flows or industrial discharges that are point sources subject to permit under 33
USC 1342, as amended (86 Stat. 880), or source, special nuclear or by-product material as
defined by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (68 Stat. 923) except as may be
provided by existing agreements between the State of New York and the government of the
United States (see section 360-1.3 of this Part).

In Simple Words - Solid wastes are any discarded or abandoned materials. Solid wastes
can be solid, liquid, semi-solid or containerized gaseous material.

Examples of solid wastes include the following materials when discarded:

 waste tires
 septage
 scrap metal
 latex paints
 furniture and toys
 garbage
 appliances and vehicles
 oil and anti-freeze
 empty aerosol cans, paint cans and compressed gas cylinders
 construction and demolition debris, asbestos
A material is discarded if it is abandoned by being:

 disposed of;
 burned or incinerated, including being burned as a fuel for the purpose of recovering usable
energy; or
 accumulated, stored or physically, chemically or biologically treated (other than burned or
incinerated) instead of or before being disposed of.
A material is disposed of if it is: Discharged, deposited, injected, dumped, spilled, leaked or
placed into or on any land or water so that such material or any constituent thereof may enter
the environment or be emitted into the air or discharged into groundwater or surface water.
(soil environment)
Relevant Organisms
Some microbial environments are extreme for life. Organisms inhabiting extreme
environments are called extremophiles. Extremophilic microorganisms could be found in the
harsh environment, such as hot springs, ice-covered lakes, salty water, and in soils or waters
with pH lower than 0 or as high as 12. Those microorganisms cannot live without the extreme
environment.

Hazardous wastes are classified on the basis of their biological, chemical, and physical
properties. These properties generate materials that are either toxic, reactive, ignitable,
corrosive, infectious, or radioactive.

2. Toxic and Hazardous Waste Treatment

Toxic wastes are poisons, even in very small or trace amounts. They may
have acute effects, causing death or violent illness, or they may have chronic effects, slowly
causing irreparable harm. Some are carcinogenic, causing cancer after many years of exposure.
Others are mutagenic, causing major biological changes in the offspring of exposed humans and
wildlife.
Reactive wastes are chemically unstable and react violently with air or water. They
cause explosions or form toxic vapours. Ignitable wastes burn at relatively low temperatures
and may cause an immediate fire hazard. Corrosive wastes include strong acidic or alkaline
substances. They destroy solid material and living tissue upon contact, by chemical reaction.
Infectious wastes include used bandages, hypodermic needles, and other materials from
hospitals or biological research facilities. Radioactive wastes emit ionizing energy that can harm
living organisms. Because some radioactive materials can persist in the environment for many
thousands of years before fully decaying, there is much concern over the control of these
wastes. However, the handling and disposal of radioactive material is not a responsibility of
local municipal government. Because of the scope and complexity of the problem, the
management of radioactive waste—particularly nuclear fission waste—is usually considered
an engineering task separate from other forms of hazardous-waste management and is
discussed in the article nuclear reactor.
To reduce hazardous waste: Use natural-ingredient products to clean whenever possible. Keep
drains clear with baking soda and hot water, use vinegar and lemon, and opt for other non-
toxic household cleaning products.
 Understanding Hazardous Waste
Understand hazardous waste. Hazardous waste cannot be disposed like normal trash in
landfills. Instead it must be disposed through the proper networks to prevent human and
environmental harm. Look at the four characteristics of hazardous waste:
 Ignitability means that the waste can easily catch on fire. It is considered flammable if the flash
point is less than 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
 Corrosive wastes are acids/bases that are capable of corroding metal containers.
 Reactive wastes are unstable under normal conditions. They can cause explosions, toxic fumes,
gases or vapors when heated.
 Toxic types of wastes are potentially fatal or harmful when absorbed or ingested. They can
pollute groundwater if not disposed of properly.
Be responsible with your waste. Responsibility in disposing these types of wastes isn’t
just for your carbon footprint. Many counties and states attach legal responsibility towards
disposing hazardous waste.
Research your local laws. Many counties across the U.S. have specific protocol for
disposing hazardous waste. Each county can have different steps and regulations for disposing
hazardous waste. The actual disposal of hazardous waste on the local level is enacted by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Recognize everyday hazardous products. It is common to come into contact with

hazardous waste without ever knowing it. Take a look at the following list of common products
that shouldn’t be thrown away normally:
 Automotive products. This includes antifreeze, fluids, motor oils, and gasoline.
 Batteries
 Fluorescent light bulbs. Many of the older models contain mercury.
 Household cleaners. This includes ammonia, drain cleaner, and rust remover.
 Paint products.
 Garden chemicals.
 Swimming pool chemicals.[1]
Disposing of Household Hazardous Waste
Recognize common household hazardous wastes. Hazardous waste can find its way
into most household. The most common hazardous wastes you’ll come into contact with at
home are:
 Harsh chemical cleaners
 Paints/thinners
 Antifreeze
 Weed killers
 Insecticide/pesticide
Use a home pickup service. Many communities have set up an easy to follow home
pickup system. Never mix hazardous waste with normal trash. Your community will benefit
from separating the two. Unfortunately pickup systems aren’t mandated on the federal level,
so there is a chance you won’t have access to these services. Many times this service will charge
a fee.
Locate a drop-off facility. For those unable to use a pick up service, dropping off your
waste to a facility is another option. Most local government websites can direct you to the
appropriate contacts to help dispose of hazardous waste. There is usually a day of the week
where facilities accept waste like: paint products, motor oil, and other common household
wastes

Recycle hazardous waste. You might be able to recycle some of your hazardous waste.
Many sites will accept materials like batteries and used cellphones to be recycled on a daily
basis. Be on the lookout for other recycling opportunities. Many schools and community groups
will accept leftover paint supplies, and give them to the people who can still use them. [5]
Request by-mail-kits. Some organizations, like waste management, will send you a mail-in kit
for your waste. After you confirm your location, you’ll fill out a form online. In this form you’ll
indicate certain information about the waste and your address. You’ll receive a recycling kit
that is postage paid. The kits will vary depending on what information about the waste you
included on your form.

Organize a community drop-off. Depending on how established waste management is

in your community, they will come out and work with you. You can organize a regular
hazardous waste drop-off if there isn’t already one in your community. Contact waste
management for information about setting up or attending a hazardous waste drop-off.[8]
Disposing of Commercial Hazardous Waste
Hire an expert consultant. Companies can reap the benefits from groups like waste
management. Experts from waste management can be scheduled to appear at your business to
review your hazardous waste and give you their opinion. They can show where you fall on the
EPA’s category assessment of how much waste small businesses generate

Join WasteWise. Any type of business, non-profit organization, or government office is eligible
to join the EPA’s WasteWise program. Participants can utilize the free technical assistance in
disposing and consultation about hazardous waste. There are even opportunities for
WasteWise to assist with your business’ sustainability and environmental impact

Consider reduction as a disposal tactic. Many industries are looking for ways to reduce the
amount of hazardous chemicals they use, which in turn reduces the amount of hazardous waste
they generate. The Environmental Protection Agency lists various approaches to do this for
businesses:

Reduce and recycle hazardous materials. Many items that can become a hazardous
waste problem can be recycled, or in some cases, reclaimed. This is a process that recovers
what is left of an usable product. Some reclamation processes recover acetone from spent
solvents and lead from metals.

Look into land disposal. Land disposal of hazardous waste contains the waste in a
landfill, waste pile, injection well or other land based disposal area. These areas fall under
regulation to help protect the families around them as well as reduce environmental impact.

Keep up to date with your permits. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) is a permitting program in place to ensure that specific requirements are followed in
safe treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. Permits are issued by authorized
states or by EPA regional offices. Electronic permits are also available.

3. Noise Pollution
Noise pollution, also known as environmental noise, is the propagation of noise
with harmful impact on the activity of human or animal life. The source of outdoor noise
worldwide is mainly caused by machines, transport and transportation systems.
Poor urban planning may give rise to noise pollution, side-by-side industrial and
residential buildings can result in noise pollution in the residential areas. The main
sources of noise in residential area are loud music and loud barking by domestic dogs. It
can also be loud talking or shouting by humans although this last is less persistent. Noise
pollution associated with household electricity generators is an emerging environmental
degradation in many developing nations. The average noise level of 97.60 dB obtained
exceeded the WHO value of 50 dB allowed for residential areas. Research suggests that
noise pollution is the highest in low-income and racial minority
neighborhoods. Documented problems associated with urban environment noise go
back as far as ancient Rome.
High noise levels can contribute to cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased
incidence of coronary artery disease. In animals, noise can increase the risk of death by
altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, interfere with reproduction and
navigation, and contribute to permanent hearing loss. While the elderly may suffer from
cardiac problems due to noise, children also suffer from it and can suffer permanent
damage for life. According to the World Health Organization children are especially
vulnerable to noise. Noise poses a serious threat to a child’s physical and psychological
health, including learning and behavior