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Beneficial Use of Waste Materials: State of the Practice 2012
Citation:
U.S. EPA. Beneficial Use of Waste Materials: State of the Practice 2012. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-13/260, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
This study was to identify elements of dynamic tools that could be developed that would assist communities (e.g., state regulatory agencies) in encouraging the sustainable management of waste materials in a manner that acknowledges economics, the environment, and society. Based on the information gathered in this evaluation, including direct discussions with state regulatory agency staff that conveyed elements of a tool that they would use, several considerations are offered that could be incorporated into a tool that could facilitate the beneficial use of waste materials in the States.
Description:
Solid wastes produced in today’s society originate from a myriad of sources, including households, government, businesses, and industry. Current U.S. federal regulations for solid waste management have been developed to promote sound management of these wastes in a manner protective of human health and the environment. Most of these regulations, however, are directed toward handling and disposal of hazardous waste or municipal solid waste (MSW; household and commercial refuse). Also requiring sound management are the large volumes of non-hazardous residues, sludges, by-products, and spent materials produced as a result of industrial, mining, agricultural, commercial, and municipal activities. These solid wastes include but are not limited to combustion ash from power production; sludge from water treatment; residues generated from industrial processes and air pollution control equipment; and debris resulting from the maintenance and demolition of roads and bridges.