5.

5 Solid domestic
Waste

 Domestic waste sources can be broken

down into various categories:
sewage (treated and untreated)
run-off from roads, lawns
landfill
air (incineration, cars)
paper, glass, metal, plastics, packaging
organic waste from the kitchen or garden
anything not related to industry

 One well-established (but in some

instances controversial) strategy for
managing solid domestic waste such
as paper waste, is recycling

The Great Recycling Debate

Deficits

Benefits

vermicomposting

When compared with soil, worm

casts also contain
:

times more nitrogen;

7
times more phosphorus;
1.5 times the calcium;
11 times more potassium;
3

times more exchangeable magnesium.

Comparison of recycling versus virgin paper

production and incineration
Area for
comparison/
Process

Recycling

Virgin Paper and

Incineration

Energy in the
process

Less (could be renewable)

-25% more but could be

renewable
- incineration generates
energy and replaces fossil
fuels (toxin removal)

Energy in
transport

More

-less since it tends to be

shorter distances but not
always the case

Pollution

-toxins to landfill
-CO2 from transport supports
forest growth

- toxins to landfill
- CO2 from transport and
emissions support forest
growth
-air and water pollution
from pulp and paper

other

-inhibits attempts to use

incineration as alternate energy
source
- what could be better forest
management than to reduce the

- stimulates responsible
forest management
- inhibits attempts to
improve energy efficiency

Domestic Waste Incinerator

Domestic Waste in a Landfill