Common questions about Waste

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal redefine waste?

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal redefined waste on the 1st of January 1989. This international agreement established that waste is any substance or object which is disposed of, intended to be disposed of, or required to be disposed of by national law. The United Nations Environment Program adopted this definition to standardize how countries tracked the flow of dangerous materials.

How much municipal solid waste did the United States Environmental Protection Agency report in 2018?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency reported that 292.4 tons of municipal solid waste were generated in 2018. This volume equated to approximately 4.9 pounds per person per day, yet only 69 million tons were recycled and 25 million tons were composted. The EPA estimated that 10.1 million tons of plastic containers and packaging ended up in landfills that year.

Where is the Onkalo deep geological repository located and what is its purpose?

The Onkalo deep geological repository is located near the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in Eurajoki, Finland. It is designed for the final disposal of radioactive waste to ensure that it remains isolated from the biosphere for thousands of years. This facility stands as a testament to the difficulty of storing nuclear waste produced by various industries.

What health consequences do workers face at the Agbogbloshie e-waste dump in Ghana?

Workers at the Agbogbloshie e-waste dump in Accra, Ghana face burns, eye damage, lung and back problems, chronic nausea, debilitating headaches, and respiratory problems. Most workers die from cancer in their 20s due to the hazardous conditions of smashing devices to get to the metals. This situation represents a form of environmental injustice where the costs of disposal are borne by the poor.

What temperature range does plasma arc heating reach when processing municipal solid waste?

Plasma arc heating reaches temperatures ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 degrees Celsius when processing municipal solid waste. This process releases energy by an electrical discharge in an inert atmosphere to transform waste into fuel. The technology offers environmental benefits by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and methane generated in landfills.

How many people die each year in developing countries due to diseases caused by mismanaged waste?

Between 400,000 and 1 million people die each year in developing countries because of diseases caused by mismanaged waste. Estimates from poverty charity Tearfund attribute these deaths to gastrointestinal parasites, yellow fever, worms, and various other conditions. The lack of wastewater treatment facilities means people often have no choice but to clean with, cook with, or drink contaminated water.

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