What are the general principles for the management of Prescribed Industrial Waste?
There are four general rules for the management of prescribed industrial waste. They are;
- Dumping of group A waste to landfill is prohibited.
- Individuals are allowed to dump risky group B or C waste to an approved site.
- Individuals who wish to dispose of industrial waste must use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transport certificates.
- All vehicles that transport waste must have EPA permit unless they are exempted.
When should something be considered a waste product?
Environmental Protection Act, which was instituted in 1993 regards any redundant, abandoned, useless, or excess materials as waste. It does not matter whether or not the materials are meant for recycling, refining, or processing through a different entity from the one that produced them. There are two examples of wastes, which are;
Municipal wastes
Municipal wastes refer to refuse collected from homes by the town council through kerbside collections.
Commercial and industrial wastes
Commercial and industrial wastes refer to refuse generated from trade, commercial and industrial activities. The wastes include debris, which results from demolition or construction of buildings.
What are three impediments to establishing effective recycling schemes and how could these be overcome?
The three top obstacles to the development of efficient recycling systems are situation barriers, attitude barriers, and knowledge barriers.
Situation Barriers
Situation barriers arise due to an inadequate number of recycling bins and a lack of suitable containers to hold all kinds of wastes. Additionally, they arise due to a lack of space to erect recycle bins. Situation barriers can be overcome by;
- Increasing the number of Containers and using recycle bins that can hold all kinds of waste materials
- Increasing the number of collections per day or per week.
Behavioral and Knowledge Barriers
Most people do not know which materials can be recycled. As a result, they treat all materials like waste and dispose of them together with unrecyclable materials. The municipal council can overcome this impediment through;
- Enlightening the public on what waste can be recycled and the days the council sends recycle bins to collect the waste.
- Enlightening the public on how to separate recyclable wastes from other kinds of wastes.
Attitude Barriers
Some members of the public do not see the rationale for recycling. Hence, they do not support it. Attitude barriers can be addressed through;
- Educating the public on the importance of recycling.
- Encouraging the public by demonstrating the useful effects of recycling on their local areas.
Which is better in terms of waste reduction, recycling, or reuse? Explain your answer?
Waste reduction or deterrence refers to a reduction of waste at the source. Waste reduction helps to;
- Conserve natural resources
- Safeguard energy
- Lessen pollution
The pecking order in waste management begins with reduction, followed by reuse, and finally by recycle. Even though the three processes are important, they differ in degree of importance.
- Reduce unnecessary utilization and production of waste.
- Reuse any reusable material or donate it to an individual or institution that can reuse it.
If possible, recycle any wastes that remain and only discard what you must. Why is it important to have accurate information regarding the amounts of waste generated in any State or Country?
Having the correct information about waste in Victoria is significant because;
- It helps to determine and assess latent waste reduction alternatives
- It facilitates in assessment of existing waste reduction mechanisms
- It helps to understand how efficient the existing practices are
- It assists to formulate novel approaches for reducing waste generation
- It helps to evaluate trends in waste production and take necessary measures
Why is “Planning” an important part of the waste auditing process?
Planning is necessary because it guarantees that the waste audit process runs efficiently. One of the components of planning is seeking support from all pertinent resources and management. It also entails delineating the goals of the waste audit process, managing the populace, and addressing issues and challenges that arise in course of the auditing process. The waste auditing process requires time and commitment. Nevertheless, people reap benefits as the process continues.
What is meant by the “life-cycle” approach when developing an approach to waste management? What would you do to implement such an approach?
The life-cycle approach refers to a technique of environmentally appraising a product. It utilizes science to determine diverse issues that affect the ecological weight of a product during its life-cycle.
To implement this approach, it is imperative to evaluate all five steps of waste’s life-cycle. These are;
Recovery and prime processing
- Consider the raw materials used
- Determine how the raw materials are processed
Generation of materials and partly finished goods
Product manufacture
- Evaluate the way a product is created
- Assess the manner in which a product is packaged
- Determine how a product is shipped
Product utilization
- Identify how a product is utilized
Product disposal
- Analyze how a product is disposed of after use
- Determine if a product can be reused, recycled, or regenerated?
It is essential to consider both inputs and outputs in life-cycle assessment (LCA). Additionally, it is important to interpret data and give recommendations, which can help to save money and conserve the environment.
The manager of the factory where you work has agreed with you, that something needs to be done to reduce the amount of waste that they produce. She has asked you to prepare a submission to the owner outlining
The rationale for undertaking such a program
The waste reduction would not only help in environmental conservation but would also make good financial and commercial sense. A waste reduction program can control or perhaps eradicate the production of dangerous wastes. Additionally, it can do away with regulatory requirements, thus lowering waste management costs. It is important to note that a waste reduction program can boost production efficiency, revenues, ecological performance, and improve product value. A factory should formulate plans for waste management and determine the best practices. In addition, a plant should identify vital activities, related overheads, and timelines to enhance waste management.
The steps and procedures that will need to be undertaken
Numerous steps ought to be taken in waste management. They include;
- Site inspection
- Determination of existing waste materials and how they are disposed
- Delineation of process inputs and outputs
- Determination of how much waste is converted into useful products
- Establishment of a novel waste management program by engaging new contractors, purchasing bins, or using signage.
- Development of performance pointers to facilitate in monitoring the program and determining new targets
- Formulation of strategies and guidelines to guarantee correct and moral ways of waste management that are valuable to the environment
- Promotion of the new program to workers to guarantee their support
What sort of information will you be requiring?
For one to succeed in waste management, he or she should have information regarding the kind of raw materials used and the type of waste that is produced and recycled. Additionally, one should know the number of materials that are recycled. It is also imperative to know if there exists a waste management team if the team accomplishes its targets, and the approach it uses in waste management.
One should also have precise information on the present cost of waste disposal. The cost can be reduced through waste reduction. Hence, people involved in waste management programs should brainstorm to see how they can avoid some of the wastes. A person should have Information about performance measures, values, and laws that govern waste management to ensure that a factory meets all regulatory requirements. In addition, it is wise to have a report of the existing activities and standards that have been observed for a long duration. The report would help to assess the present situation, identify program requirements and make adjustments.
What sort of analyses will need to be undertaken and why?
To begin with, it is imperative to determine the kind and amount of waste that is produced when the factory is in operation. Individuals should conduct a visual inspection of the plant to identify the type of waste that the company produces and how the waste is stored or removed. Besides, a visual inspection should help to determine how often the plant removes its waste products and who is responsible for waste control.
It is important to conduct employees and management reviews to determine their opinion and contributions to waste control. It is vital to know if workers know the importance of waste management. After gathering information on existing waste management practices and employees’ opinions, one should use the information to determine available opportunities for waste reduction. Besides, one should prioritize the alternatives for execution.
An individual should run a feasibility study of the waste management program to determine technological and financial needs. The needs include technology accessibility, operating cost, occupational health and safety impacts, and the pay-back duration. It is vital to conduct an analysis to determine what wastes can be reused, averted, or recycled. Additionally, one should identify materials, which require being treated before they are disposed of as prescribed by law.
Are there any other plans that they should be undertaking?
A factory should set aside waste awareness days for workers to air their views and give suggestions on waste management. Employees know waste management systems better than any other person. Hence, they can help to improve the systems. A factory should also come up with water and energy efficiency policies to reduce the cost related to these vital utilities and to conserve the environment. In conclusion, an all-inclusive waste management system would profit an enterprise economically, enhance efficiency and boost the company’s image.