Disposal & Recycling of Consumer Waste (SL IB Geography)

• As well as the consumption of resources, ecological footprints include the waste created
• The increases in consumption have led to an increase in the waste created
• The World Bank estimates that there will be a 70% increase in the production of waste by 2050
  • Most of this increase is predicted to be in low-income and emerging economies

Types of Solid Domestic Waste

Estimate of the proportions of solid domestic waste in the UK in 2020

• Solid domestic waste (SDW), also known as household waste, refers to the waste generated by households and small-scale commercial establishments
  • It consists of various materials discarded by individuals and families

• The volume and composition of solid domestic waste can vary over time due to several factors, including:
  • Consumption patterns
  • Technological advancements
  • Waste management practices

Organic Waste

• This includes food waste, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials
• The volume of organic waste tends to be significant
  • It varies due to cultural practices, dietary habits, and seasonal factors
• Over time, the composition of organic waste may change due to:
  • Shifts in food preferences
  • Increased consumption of processed foods
  • Advancements in waste management technologies that promote composting

Paper and Cardboard

• These materials are commonly found in solid domestic waste and are derived from packaging, newspapers, magazines, and other paper-based products
• The volume of paper and cardboard waste may fluctuate depending on factors such as:
  • Digitalisation trends: the increasing trend for people to read the news on phones and tablets rather than by reading a physical newspaper
  • Efforts to promote recycling and reduce paper consumption

Plastics

• Plastics are a major component of solid domestic waste and can include packaging materials, containers, and various single-use items
• The volume and composition of plastic waste have experienced a significant increase in recent decades due to the widespread use of plastics in various sectors
• The composition and management of plastic waste vary due to:
  • Changes in consumer behaviour
  • Government regulations
  • Recycling initiatives 

Glass and Metals

• Glass and metal waste, such as bottles, cans, and other packaging materials, contribute to solid domestic waste
• The volume of glass and metal waste can be influenced by factors like beverage consumption patterns, recycling rates, and the availability of alternative packaging materials
• Changes in packaging preferences, recycling infrastructure, and resource conservation efforts can impact the composition and volume of glass and metal waste

• With the rapid advancement of technology, electronic waste, or e-waste, has become a growing issue
• It includes discarded electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and appliances
• The volume and composition of e-waste may change over time due to the introduction of new devices, upgrades, and the speed at which older electronics become obsolete (i.e. out-of-date)
• Increasing awareness of e-waste management and the implementation of regulations influence the handling and disposal practices of electronic waste

Kilograms of electronic waste (e-waste) produced per capita for a selection of countries in 2016

Waste disposal

• Waste disposal is critical in managing and minimising the environmental impact of waste
• Various methods are available, each offers distinct approaches to handling waste materials
• In the past, landfill were the most popular form of waste disposal but this is not sustainable

Landfills

• Landfill involves burying waste in designated areas, often lined with protective plastic barriers
• They provide a centralised and controlled disposal method for a wide range of waste types

Advantages and Disadvantages of Landfills

Advantages	Disadvantages
Provides centralised waste management	Generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas
Can accommodate a wide range of waste types	Requires suitable land availability and careful site selection
Relatively low operational costs compared to other options	Potential risk of groundwater and soil contamination
Can be engineered with liners and leachate collection systems to minimise environmental impact	Long-term management and monitoring required after closure

Incineration

• Incineration involves the controlled burning of waste materials at high temperatures
• It reduces the volume of waste and can sometimes be used to generate energy through the combustion process

Advantages and Disadvantages of Incineration

Advantages	Disadvantages
Reduces the volume of waste and minimises space requirements	Releases air pollutants, including greenhouse gases and toxic emissions (public concerns over health and environmental impacts)
Potential to generate energy through the combustion process (provides waste-to-energy potential)	Requires careful management of air emissions and ash disposal
Reduces the reliance on landfills	Potential for the release of hazardous substances during incineration
Can handle various types of waste, including hazardous waste	High operating costs

Recycling

• Recycling focuses on converting waste materials into reusable materials
• It conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and minimises greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of new materials

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recycling

Advantages	Disadvantages
Conserves natural resources and reduces the need for raw materials	Requires energy and resources for collection, sorting, and processing
Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators	Limited availability and accessibility of recycling facilities
Saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions	Contamination of recyclables can hinder the recycling process
Prevents pollution caused by extracting and processing raw materials	Some materials are difficult or costly to recycle
Creates job opportunities in the recycling industry	Market demand and prices for recycled materials can fluctuate

Reusing

• Reusing involves using products or materials multiple times instead of discarding or recycling them
• It extends the lifespan of products, reduces waste generation, and decreases resource consumption

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reusing

Advantages	Disadvantages
Reduces the need for new products and resource extraction	Limited availability of reusable items in certain areas
Saves energy and resources required for manufacturing	Requires proper cleaning and maintenance of reusable items
Minimises waste generation and landfill usage	May not be suitable for all types of products or materials
Can be cost-effective, saving money for individuals or businesses	There is a limited market for used or second-hand items in some cases
Promotes a circular economy and sustainable consumption	Requires a change in consumer behaviour and mindset

Composting

• Composting involves the decomposition of organic waste materials into nutrient-rich soil
• Successful composting relies on the proper balance of organic materials, moisture, and aeration to facilitate the decomposition process
• It diverts organic waste from landfills, reduces methane emissions, and produces high-quality compost for use in agriculture and landscaping

Advantages and Disadvantages of Composting

Advantages	Disadvantages
Diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing methane emissions	Requires space and proper management for composting process
Produces nutrient-rich compost for soil enrichment	It takes time for organic waste to decompose and turn into compost
Reduces the need for chemical fertilisers	Some materials may not be suitable for composting (e.g., meat, dairy)
It helps retain soil moisture and reduce erosion	Potential for odour and pest issues if not properly managed
Promotes healthier plant growth and biodiversity	Requires knowledge and education to ensure proper composting practices

• These waste disposal options offer a range of strategies for managing waste materials effectively
• The choice of method depends on various factors, including the type of waste, available infrastructure, environmental considerations, and societal preferences
• Implementing a combination of these options can contribute to sustainable waste management and resource conservation

International waste flow

• In an attempt to reduce the use of landfills in developed countries, large amounts of waste are transported to emerging economies and low-income countries for disposal and recycling
  • The EU directive states that less than 10% of waste should be sent to landfill by 2035
  • The UK has a target of reducing biodegradable waste going to landfill to almost zero by 2028 and recyclable waste by 2042
• Until 2017, China had been disposing of:
  • Over 55% of the world's plastic waste
  • Almost 60% of the USA's paper waste and 70% of Europe's paper waste
• China announced in 2017 that it would be significantly reducing the amount of waste it accepted
• Waste flows then increased to Southeast Asia, in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and India
• Up to 90% of the waste in these countries is burned rather than recycled
  • This impacts on people's health and the environment
• In 2019, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand all announced restrictions on the amount of imported waste they would accept
• Between 2019 and 2021, Malaysia sent back over 340 containers of waste that had been shipped there by countries including the USA, UK and France

The destination of Europe's plastic waste between 2016-2018

• Increasingly, waste is sent to countries such as Ghana and Nigeria for disposal 
• Türkiye is now receiving the most waste from the EU
  • In 2021, the amount of waste received was 14.7 million tonnes, three times the amount they received in 2004
• India (2.4 million tonnes) and Egypt (1.9 million tonnes) are the second and third-highest recipients of EU waste