Global Warming and Environmental Conservation - Coursework Example

Recycling Environmental conservation is a critical aspect for its sustainability. Recycling remains one ofthe effective approaches through which the environment could be conserved. This paper evaluates the wastes that could be recycled and the process of recycling where mechanical and chemical methods of recycling would be evaluated. Furthermore, the importance of recycling would be articulated which basically encompasses environmental gains and further analyzing the consequent gains of energy provision and economic benefits. In spite of the gains associated with recycling, there are many challenges also involved. As such, this paper also critically examines these challenges. Recommendations will be made on how to make the process more effective and produce optimal gains to the environment and humanity. Introduction Human beings have for a long time grappled with proper disposal of waste despite the many different strategies put in place. Packaging, electronics, food waste, paper and household items are among some common sources of these wastes. Industries too produce large amounts of waste as by-products of their manufacturing processes. Such wastes could become detrimental to environmental sustainability hence the need for adoption of proper ways to dispose them off. Recycling provides a critical solution to this problem. Goodship (2009) defines recycling as the processing of used items into materials that can be used to make new products. Waste materials are collected and processed into new usable products, therefore eliminating them as waste from the environment. Thus, recycling should be embraced as a critical waste reduction process that fosters sustainable environment also associated with economic benefits. Regional and local governments largely promote recycling of various waste products. This has seen more than a quarter of container glass beneficially reused or recycled annually. Americans dispose about 8.5 million tons of textiles and 7.2 million tons of glass in form of municipal solid waste that ends up in the incinerators or landfills (Goodship, 2009). Out of this, the quantity of glass diverted from disposal is about 2.8 million tons, double that of textile at 1.5 million tons. It is estimated that about 900 million trees are cut down annually to provide raw materials for pulp and paper mills. For instance, producing 700 grocery bags requires a 15 year-old tree, while 28 million jars and bottles are annually thrown away by Americans according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA (2012). Incineration and land-filling continue to be the least expensive and easiest ways of handling municipal waste. Nevertheless, there are upcoming contemporary policies for recycling and reusing. Any plastic product that can be recycled has got a stamped code displayed in a triangle made of chasing arrows. The information displayed is used by recyclers to identify the type of resins from which the plastic is made of. It is usually assigned one number from 1 to 6 or “other” to show that the product is made from a resin or combination of resins other than those listed. Recycling Methods Recycling can be done at home where organic matter is decomposed. Waste is turned into compost which acts as a growing medium and soil conditioner. In addition, it enriches the soil with nutrients, makes digging easier by breaking down clay soils, as well as improving the nutrient and water holding capacity of the soil (Government of Alberta, 2014). The organic waste is layered using green materials to provide nitrogen such as coffee grounds, uncooked vegetables, fruit peelings and tea bags and brown materials for carbon such as coffee filters, dry, brown leaves and paper egg cartons. The government advises against cooked foods as they tend to create odors. In addition to this, corn cobs are undesirable, as they attract cutworms and they do not decompose easily. Waste and litter from pets are not desirable for compost, as well as plant material with disease or chemical residue. Composting can be done in compost bins or pits. Compost bins though not essential are manageable, efficient, neat and can be bought or easily made at home. One of the major methods used to recycle composite waste is the mechanical recycling. This method involves the processes of collection of the waste, sorting, sizing, reduction, separation and densification. The process involves reducing the waste by grinding into smaller particles, which could then be remolded by melting into new products. Most notable about this method is that it removes the fillers and additives but conserves the polymer’s chemical structure (Grause, Buekens, Sakata, Okuwaki & Yoshioka, 2011). Waste collection from households would follow stipulated guideline with different cities having directives of waste collection, such as placing the waste in labeled boxes depending on their recyclability. At the recycling plant, manual sorting would be done, as the waste is transported on a conveyor belt with operators picking the required waste products. Alternatively, an automated system that is more efficient and cost effective could be used. The physical characteristics of the waste are important here for the identification of the appropriate separation route. For instance for plastics and glass, waste products move on a conveyor belt where glass material with higher density drops over an incline by gravity while lighter plastics would be left on the inclined conveyor (Goodship, 2009). This would be followed by size reduction and granulation, which involve shredding the waste to 25 to 50 mm, and then granulated to particles of about 3.2 to 9.5 mm. Waste washing involves passing the waste through a washing tank to remove dirt and adhesive residues. With the sieving of the waste, polymers, the molecules that make up plastics would be recovered. The waste would then be sorted using several technologies that depend on the different characteristics of the polymers such as density. Froth floatation is one technique used for separation, which uses water jets at high pressure, with waste moving from one end of the tank to the other. Various wastes float while others sink depending on their density (Grause et al., 2011). Goodship, a waste management scholar, supports the use of water for separation, as its density is relatively low compared to that of most items (2009). Alternatively, hydro-cyclone sorting could be used, where waste and water enter a chamber and rotate into a vortex with circular rotations, which force the heavier particles to move along the tapered sidewall and drop through the bottom, while lighter materials leave through the top (Goodship, 2009). Additionally, the near infrared and optical sorting would be used, where spectroscopy helps with the identification of various polymers by their carbon and hydrogen ratio (Grause et al., 2011). The polymer’s electromagnetic spectrum would be measured and the article then directed to the appropriate bin. Electrostatic sorting uses electric properties of the materials to sort them out. Negatively or positively charged particles pass through an electrical field and would be attracted to the appropriate electrode, thus the separation. After the collection, sizing, reducing, cleaning and sorting of the waste materials, they would then be ready for re-use. Prior to re-sell, they would be reformed to aesthetically improve them. This is often unnecessary, as the processing costs would have to be added to the selling price so as to realize economic value. The reformation could however improve the features of the new material, and meet the required specifications, thus virgin materials are often blended to improve final materials (Grause et al., 2011). For instance low density materials require blending with those of higher density to improve their performance. This is called densification, which involves the use of heat lower than the melting point of the polymer (Goodship, 2009). Waste material is mixed and compressed by pelletisers through a die, producing frictional heat which joins the polymer together. Another method of recycling waste materials is pyrolysis which involves thermal decomposition, also called feedstock recycling. The process yields oil and gas for fuel, chemicals, and waxes in chemical compound forms. The success of the process is strongly dependent on the waste material used, as good feedstock that comprises one component would produce a defined product after degradation (Grause et al., 2011). However, this is not possible as plastic waste is made from different materials. The most common type of pyrolysis is the fluidized bed which consists of quartz sand and is indirectly heated by electricity. Waste materials are fed through 2 conveyors with nitrogen as the fluidizing medium, which is later displaced by the gaseous products (Goodship, 2009). The products leave the reactor through a condensation and cooling unit. Fine sand and fillers are then precipitated in a cyclone, while an electrostatic precipitator is used to clean the gas. Other products include oil which is stored below the coolers, liquids, gases and water. Furthermore, gasification may be used for the production of high calorific gases, which uses organic feedstocks. The process may use pure oxygen, air, stream or a combination of these gases. Fossil fuels have been used for a long time but due to the production of carbon dioxide which adversely heightens global warming; waste plastic materials are now preferred (Grause et al., 2011). In support of this, Goodfish reports that the oxidation process produces a gas known as syngas which could replace fossil fuels in the generation of high efficiency power (2009). Inorganic materials are converted into a substance resembling sand which is inert but has several uses in the building and construction industries. There are therefore many methods that can be used to recycle organic and inorganic waste. Benefits of Recycling Recycling has several benefits, especially for the environment. Materials converted into new products help conserve natural resources. Compost, for instance, provides benefits such as those in bark mulch and peat moss and many soil enhancers. Using compost reduces the need to manufacture enhancers and chemical fertilizers. Without recycling, raw materials would have to be extracted, further depleting natural resources (EPA, 2012). With paper, the government agency estimates that a ton of recycled paper saves about 17 trees, 4 barrels of oil, uses less fuel and energy and releases 3600 lbs of carbon dioxide, compared to the production of paper from the virgin materials which release almost 20,000 lbs of carbon dioxide. Wood shavings and sawdust can be recycled into corrugated boxes, grocery bags and other products, further preserving the environment for future generations. Greenhouse gases have for a long time contributed to global warming, but recycling reduces the emissions of these gases. This is possible when materials are recycled, as opposed to disposing them of through incinerators, which also produces the greenhouse gases. EPA reports indicate that landfills are the fifth largest producers of all greenhouse gases, with the amount of methane produced more potent than the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (2012). Recycling diverts wastes from landfills, from where they would produce methane, another greenhouse gas. Composting reduces space and landfill costs while effectively reducing the production and release of methane. With recycling of paper, trees are also saved, and through carbon sequestration, are able to clean the air. The extraction, harvesting and processing of raw materials requires a lot of energy. The elimination or reduction of the amount needed for the manufacture of products is therefore significant as it saves huge amounts of energy. For instance bauxite has to be mined for the manufacture of aluminum. Recycling aluminum would save 95% of energy that is required for the manufacture. Research shows that each recycled aluminum can saves electricity that would be used to run a television for 3 hours, while 4 pounds of bauxite ore are saved with every pound of aluminum recycled. Out of the 374 beverages that an American takes annually from aluminum cans, about half are recycled, while an estimated 2 million are disposed of (EPA, 2012; LouisvilleKy, 2014). Economically, using landfills for waste disposal uses land which would have otherwise been put to other uses. With the increasing population in many cities, landfills take up hundreds of acres which would be used for commercial and residential house construction (EPA, 2012). Similarly, recycled products yield monetary value which would not have been realized without recycling, while high disposal costs are avoided. The agency further reports that recycling generates income for the government and creates jobs, with about a million people employed and annually generating about 37 billion dollars in payroll. Wages in the recycling industry are reportedly higher on average than all other industries. Challenges in Recycling There are several challenges presented in recycling, which unless taken care of would have adverse effects on the environment. For instance thermal treatment processes produce emissions and residues which could be dangerous to the environment (Goodship, 2009). Bottom ash and certain air pollutants must be disposed of under strict regulations at licensed landfill sites as they are extremely hazardous. Some methods like feedstock recycling that are preferred for recycling of specific wastes are costly compared to mechanical recycling (Hopewell, Dvorak & Kosior, 2009). Furthermore, they require more energy, as the processes involved are long. Similarly, use of plastic wastes to produce energy reduces landfill volumes but does not necessarily eliminate the fossil fuel demand, as this does not meet the energy demands. Besides, the emissions they produce raise environmental concerns. Additionally, the collection and sorting stages for flexible packaging is often problematic, such that rigid packaging is preferred at most post-consumer collection programs, due to the possession of different handling characteristics. Plastic bags and films have low weight-to-volume ration, rendering the investment in the necessary sorting and collection facilities less economically viable. Recommendations Recycling is thus an important step towards management of waste as it has got numerous benefits economical and environmental. The government should educate and encourage the use of composting, which prevents the use of landfills to dispose waste and the release of greenhouse gases. This should also be embraced in schools, so as to help children develop into responsible citizens well aware of their environment. With consumers buying products that are recyclable, recycling will then begin at the individual level. In particular, one should be careful to check the recycling code triangle, always indicated on most recyclable products. It is advisable for grocery stores and supermarkets to have bins where customers can drop off used or unwanted plastic bags for recycling. Similarly, sensitizing customers to re-use plastic bags for shopping and avoid having many unwanted bags will go a long way, while distribution of plastic bags for instance at public libraries and take-away restaurants should be discouraged. Additionally, it is important that outreach programs be established to educate and sensitize the public and retail employees on the benefits of re-usable bags. As an alternative, retail stores could provide compostable shopping bags, in addition to giving incentives to customers who bring their own bags. The outreach programs could also distribute re-usable bags to the public, at little or no cost. The government should provide policies for waste reduction programs which should include giving incentives to businesses and residents to recycle and re-use materials. In addition, manufacturers should be encouraged through subsidies and incentives to manufacture more durable, yet less toxic recyclable products. Similarly, with the government setting targets aiming to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, recycling is encouraged. These targets should incorporate manufacturing and mining industries. Stronger plastic bag legislation could be of great help too, as well as the enforcement of current recycling programs. Conclusion Waste disposal has a direct effect on the environment, contributing to climate change through global warming. Landfills present opportunities for the emission of greenhouse gases, in addition to taking up valuable land space that would be used for more economic benefits, as well as the need to replace the disposed items. Recycling offers a platform where the environment and natural resources are preserved, land is preserved as well as jobs created and more revenue generated. Despite the benefits realized by recycling, major challenges are looming, such as the costly methods used in recycling such as feedstock recycling. With support from relevant government agencies, such limitation would be curbed and humanity made to benefit from the environmentally safe waste management approach of recycling. References City of Louisville, Kentucky. (2014). Know the benefits of recycling. Retrieved 12 April from http://www.louisvilleky.gov/solidwaste/iwantto/know+the+benefits+of+recycling.htm Goodship, V. (ed). (2010). Management, recycling and reuse of waste composites. Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited. Government of Alberta. (2014). Composting at home. Retrieved 12 April from http://esrd.alberta.ca/waste/composting-at-home/default.aspx Grause, G., Buekens, A., Sakata, Y., Okuwaki, A., & Yoshioka, T. (2011). Feedstock recycling of waste polymeric material. Cycles waste management. 13, 265-282. Hopewell, J., Dvorack Robert & Kosior Edward. (2009). Plastics recycling: Challenges and opportunities. Philosophical transactions of the royal society B: Biological sciences. 364 (1528), 2115-2126. Retrieved 12 April 2014 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873020/ United States Environmental Agency. (2014). Recycling. Retrieved 12 April 2014 from http://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/solidwasterecyclingfacts.htm Read More