Each production has certain wastes. They are inevitable in everyday life. Every year, industry is gaining momentum. The population of the planet also has a tendency to grow. The amount of waste is also increasing, which becomes a real problem situation for all of humanity. The fact is that a sufficient amount of waste carries the threat of infections, toxins, fire hazard and other factors.
General concepts
So, the waste needs to be recycled, and properly organized. Ecology and people should feel safe. If we are talking about safe waste, then, as a rule, there are no problems with their processing, sorting and disposal.
But to the disposal of waste belonging to the category of hazardous, it is necessary to pay increased attention.
The classification of industrial and household waste divides them into five classes. It depends on the degree of danger.
In order to classify them into these classes, there are criteria for harmful effects on humans and the environment: from almost safe to extremely dangerous.
All waste disposal comes down to the use of certain disposal methods, which have their advantages and disadvantages. They are used depending on the chemical composition of the garbage. In addition, it is very important to consider the physical properties and the degree of harmful effects on the ecosystem.
Where hazardous substances are involved, licensing of this type of waste disposal activity is mandatory.
Burning
This is the most common type of thermal processing when it comes to the neutralization of industrial waste, including some species from the “hazardous” category. When the combustion process occurs, organic matter undergoes oxidation. As a result, carbon dioxide and other gases, water and a sufficient amount of energy (thermal) are released.
At the end of the process, ash and particles that do not burn out are obtained. Burning takes place in special furnaces. They are different in design and purpose.
Such waste disposal and disposal are very effective, and sometimes the only possible. This method is considered universal. Incineration is possible in most cases for both industrial and domestic waste. It is applicable to organic mixtures, inorganic and oily waste. The neutralization of pathogenic flora occurs due to high temperatures. Corpses of animals, medical materials, bioorganic waste, and what remains after food units can be dangerous.
Advantages and disadvantages of combustion
When burning, the initial volume of materials to be disposed of is significantly reduced: almost 90–97%. The released heat energy can be used for electricity and heat supply.
But there are also disadvantages that such an activity brings. Incineration of waste by burning is sometimes opposed by environmentalists. The fact is that in this way a large amount of combustion products (dioxins, fly ash, etc.) enters the atmosphere, which causes its significant pollution.
Therefore, it is necessary to use a multi-stage flue gas treatment system. To regulate such processes, there are sanitary standards.
Recirculation
There is an opinion that the reuse of waste is a key link in solving the problem of their accumulation. This method reduces the level of harmful effects on the environment.
Such neutralization of production waste expands the raw material base and makes it possible to rationally use the wealth of nature. Particularly non-hazardous waste: wood, waste paper, scrap metal, glass. However, this method is relevant in the case of some hazardous waste. Thus, the environment will be better protected.
For example, this:
- cleaning and recycling of organic solvents (production of paints and varnishes);
- Isolation and reuse of lead from car batteries for the production of power supplies;
- oil separation during the separation of oil sludge;
- crushing old tires for using crumbs in the production of asphalt and rubber flooring;
- processing, use, disposal of waste from the category of bioorganic (meat, dairy).
Burial place
Hazardous substances that cannot be disposed of or reused must be disposed of in designated places.
This method is applicable mainly to non-combustible substances and to waste emitting toxins during the combustion process.
It is important that the disposal sites meet the requirements. Regarding the geological location, there are also special conditions:
- a certain distance from settlements and agricultural land;
- places not occupied by green spaces, not intended for recreation and located on the leeward side of the settlements;
- restriction on the rise of groundwater (depth from two meters relative to the lower level of burial);
- the area should be with poorly filtering soils (clay, shale);
- it is important that the subsidence properties of soils are eliminated;
- along the perimeter of the site is a fence, an annular channel, an annular collapse.
Neutralization
This method, which ensures the neutralization of production and consumption waste, makes substances hazardous to humans and the environment safe. He is very effective. Neutralization is applicable to alkali with acids. Thanks to chemical reactions, they neutralize each other.
In the process, heat is generated and salts are formed. The completion of the reaction is checked using special indicators. The clarified water, which will be brought to compliance with the standards, is drained into the storm sewer.
Salts that were obtained as a result of this process are dried and stored in special storage places.
The medicine
The development of this sphere is very intensive. There is a need for rapid replacement of equipment. Outdated appliances, tools must be disposed of. Legislation in this area has certain gaps.
The main danger is the likelihood of infection through medical debris. It may also contain chemicals, biologically active substances, radioactive elements. The likelihood of purely mechanical damage by tools not properly stored is very high. For example, simple used syringes.
Disposal of medical waste, according to the classification, has its own hazard levels and occurs in the following ways:
- burning;
- chemical disinfection with processing and sorting;
- steam treatment under pressure;
- ionization;
- the use of microwave exposure.
Conclusion
The problem arising from the accumulation of industrial and domestic waste has not been resolved. Their environmental pollution occurs regularly. Even the emergence of new methods for their disposal and disposal does not reduce the harmful effects on the ecology of the Earth and human health. This topic is very relevant! There is only one way out: to conduct human economic activity in such a way that the principle of natural ecosystems works with a rational consumption of energy and substances. And the waste products of some species would be used by others according to the law of the circulation of substances in nature.