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ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION CONSIDERATIONS OF STEEL INDUSTRY SOLID WASTE
Citation:
Baldwin, V., M. Branscome, C. Allen, D. Marsland, AND B. Carpenter. ENVIRONMENTAL AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION CONSIDERATIONS OF STEEL INDUSTRY SOLID WASTE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-79/074.
Description:
The report examines the solid wastes generated by the iron and steel industry relative to the impact of Section 4004 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The quantities, properties, and origin of wastes which pose a potential problem are identified using flow diagrams, material balances, and generation factors. Of the estimated 140 million metric tons of solid waste (including inplant mill scrap) generated annually, 80% is either recycled or reused. Waste disposal practices are discussed, and the potential for groundwater pollution has been identified. The capital cost to collect leachate from nonhazardous wastes which could potentially endanger the groundwater was estimated to increase the current landfill costs by 40%; however, this cost was less than 1% of the estimated future overall environmental cost.