Lesson 1 - Introduction to Solid Waste Management

Part 1 - History, CNBC Documentary, RCRA

Objective:

• Introduce course and provide an overview of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management.

Goals:

• Appreciate the complexity and scale of MSW issues
• Become familiar with the concepts of Sustainable Materials Management (SMM)

Assignments:

• Bring your notes from the on-lesson with you to class and be prepared to share/discuss them
• Complete Blackboard Quiz: Introduction to Course

A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:

• Skim the content of the following web-pages and note one historical item of interest from each
  • A Garbage Timeline
  • The History of Waste - Do you want to be a garbologist? By Roberta Crowell Barbalace
  • A Brief History of Recycling by American Disposal Services
  • History of the Garbage Man

Watch: Trash Inc. The Secret Life of Garbage (2010 CNBC Documentary,~45 minutes)

• The full video is no longer available for free streaming.  We will watch in class.
• Make a notes about your 'stand-out' items from this video a bring them to class for discussion.

• Review the following pages - pay particular attention to what makes a waste solid (RCRA-D) and solid+hazardous (RCRA-C)
  • US EPA - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Laws and Regulations Overview
  • US EPA - Criteria for the Definition of Solid Waste and Solid and Hazardous Waste Exclusions

US FEDERAL GUIDANCE ON SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Sustainable Materials Management

• Skim:
  • US EPA - Sustainable Materials Management Page
• Review:
  • US EPA - Sustainable Materials Management Basics