Over the years, scientists have been trying to find more ways to reuse and recycle the waste in our communities. If it isn’t recycled, it will only be dumped into a landfill, adding to the ongoing pollution problem in this world.
Luckily, there are new discoveries being made and new ways to reuse hazardous waste, but these new methods need to become more commonly known. As we find out new ways to reuse waste and hazardous waste, it’s important to spread the word so more people will reuse and recycle regularly.
How is Waste Being Used to Benefit Communities?
Regular waste is often reused and recycled to help reduce the amount of waste and pollution. This is common knowledge, but it’s not the only way waste can be reused to benefit the community. In Australia, a grain farmer and an engineer worked together to convert green waste into energy. Therefore, not only is the waste being reused, but it benefits people as well.
The Rainbow Bee Eater group spent 11 years creating a power plant that could use green waste for energy, which can also be referred to as bioenergy. Bioenergy is when energy is produced from the by-products of the agricultural, food, and forestry industries.
This special power plant can create clean burning fuel gas and electricity in only one step. The creators even stated that it doesn’t need any government subsidies or grants to be worthwhile. These power plants will operate by taking in waste, such as wood waste, and creating synthetic gas with it. Then, that synthetic gas will go into an engine that will run a generator to make electricity.
New ideas like this one can change the face of reusing and recycling forever. Currently, bioenergy only accounts for 0.9% of Australia’s electricity output, but that percentage looks like it will go up in the near future. Creative ways of reusing waste should become the norm in all places, especially when it comes to hazardous waste. So, why is there still so much pollution in this world?
Can We Transform Hazardous Waste too?
A study from 1995 stated that at the time, the United States only recycled 0.8% to 7.7% of their hazardous waste. The rest was simply dumped into a landfill. Since then, recycling hazardous waste and recycling in general has become more common, but it’s still not as popular as it should be. So, even though hazardous waste is not reused as often as regular waste, it still can be reused to benefit the community.
Unfortunately, over 200 million tons of hazardous waste are created each year, which is why it is so crucial to find ways to reuse it. While many companies have just sent their hazardous waste to the landfill in the past, more are starting to use incineration now. With landfills, the hazardous materials just seep into the ground, causing damage to the ground and water. With incineration, that can be avoided and many reusable materials can actually come from it.
When incineration is performed properly on hazardous waste, it not only destroys the toxic part of the waste and reduces the waste’s volume, but it can also generate energy through the process. Another similar option is boilers and industrial furnaces, which can get energy and material recovery from combusting the waste.
Combusting hazardous waste probably doesn’t sound like the safest choice, but it is closely regulated under the Clean Air Act. This act helps protect the world from the harm of air pollution. So, it helps ensure that these processes are safe and effective ways to reduce and reuse the elements of hazardous waste. Burning the hazardous waste is typically the best option in order to reuse or recycle it safely.
While there are plenty of ways to reuse both regular waste and hazardous waste, there is always more that can be done to decrease pollution. By using proper waste management in your business and by encouraging employees to always recycle, the waste management in this world can become even better. Even the small actions of an individual can make a huge difference.
If you need help with your own waste management needs, Hayward Environmental Consulting is here to help. We offer fast and efficient ways to take control of your hazardous waste management. Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business.