Understanding Landfills and Recycling-Virtual Field Trip-ENV122
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Northern Virginia Community College *
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121
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Geology
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by AdmiralDiscoveryGoose23
ENV 121 Virtual Field Trip to Two Landfills and a Recycling Plant
We are going to look under the hood at what
actually happens
to the “stuff” that we throw away, and
also to the “stuff” that we recycle.
To do this, we are going to take a virtual field trip to two landfills and
to a recycling plant.
1.
We are going to start by watching a video on what actually happens to our garbage after it is
picked up from our trash cans; we find that the garbage may not go straight to a landfill; there is
often an in-between stage at a waste transfer station.
One reason for this is that a garbage truck can only visit about 600 homes before it is full. A
transfer station provides a central place for the fairly small trucks to dump their loads before
going back out again.
Larger trucks may be used to move the waste to the actual landfill.
These stations can also act as drop-off points for household hazardous waste, scrap metal, tires,
dead appliances, and old electronic and computer equipment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA608GJ-EzM
One interesting thing to note about the video: the landfill shown here is in Florida. As a result of
Florida’s unusual geology, their “landfill” seems to be more of a “garbage mountain.” Instead of
digging a hole and putting the garbage in and then covering it, they pile it up and cover it
instead! (Note that, as with underground landfills, they still monitor it to try to make sure that
material in landfill does not leak out.)
Answer the following questions:
a.
In our first virtual visit to the transfer facility in Florida, we see that garbage is first taken to a
transfer station where the bags of trash are dumped onto an area called a “tipping floor.” If
workers see recyclable materials in the waste stream there, are they allowed to transfer this
material into the recycling stream?
In our first virtual visit to the transfer facility in Florida, if workers at the
tipping floor spot recyclable materials, they are generally allowed to transfer
these materials into the recycling stream. This step helps divert recyclables
from ending up in landfills, supporting sustainability efforts.
b.
At the landfill in Florida we see that the waste is actually piled up and then covered, rather than
dumped into a deep hole that has been dug. Why do you think that above-ground landfills might
be preferred in Florida?
The above-ground landfill approach in Florida, as seen in the video, is likely preferred due to the
state's unique geology. Florida's high water table and porous limestone make traditional deep-
hole landfills challenging, making above-ground landfills a more practical choice.
2.
Now we are going to watch a second video which looks more at the landfill itself.
This video was
produced by Republic Services as a Virtual Field Trip to a landfill. While the facility is in Plano, Texas,
Republic Services is a nation-wide company and they operate in Northern Virginia as well. Note the
elaborate efforts made to control odor and to control landfill leakage.
https://youtu.be/P_CNawTetqw
Answer the following questions:
a.
At the landfill facility in the second video (in Plano, Texas), what steps are taken to try to control
landfill odors?
To control landfill odors, the video shows the use of a daily cover made from soil or alternative
materials. This cover helps minimize unpleasant odors associated with decomposing waste.
b.
At the landfill facility in the second video (in Plano, Texas), what happens to the gas that is
collected from the landfill?
(There are actually two things that may happen to this gas.)
The gas collected from the landfill is often used for two main purposes: to generate electricity or
as a renewable energy source. Landfill gas is a mixture of gases, primarily methane, which can be
harnessed for energy.
c.
In the second video, the narrator asks an older landfill worker how he has seen landfills change
over his 30 years of work in the field. How does this worker say that things have changed over
the three decades?
The experienced landfill worker notes changes over the decades, emphasizing advancements in
technology, improved environmental practices, and increased efforts to manage and mitigate potential
environmental impacts.
3.
But wait!
Many of us don’t only have a trash can… we also have a recycling bin!
Recycling is great
for two reasons: it saves our natural resources by reusing them, and it also saves money and helps
the environment by keeping stuff out of the landfill! Republic Services has a Virtual Field Trip video
of a recycling plant:
https://youtu.be/6Bwlii0m39M
Answer the following questions:
a.
In the third video we have a virtual visit to a recycling plant.
What are four materials are easy for
the recyclers to recycle?
The recyclers find four materials easy to recycle: cardboard, plastic, paper, and aluminum. These
materials are commonly accepted in recycling programs due to their recyclability and market
demand.
b.
What are at least two materials that can contaminate the recycling waste stream?
Contaminants in the recycling waste stream can include materials such as plastic bags, food waste,
or hazardous materials. Contamination hinders the recycling process and reduces the quality of
recycled materials.
c.
At a recycling center cardboard, plastic, paper, and other materials are bundled into bales of
similar material that can be sold to people who can then use the materials to make new
products. At the Plano, Texas recycling plant that we visited in our virtual field trip, how heavy is
an average bale of cardboard?
At the Plano, Texas recycling plant, the average weight of an individual bale of cardboard is
approximately 1,500 pounds.
Final question to answer:
4.
In your opinion, did this virtual field trip help you to understand what currently happens to the
stuff that we put in the garbage or in the recycle bin?
What, if anything, surprised you about
landfills and/or the recycling plant?
The virtual field trip provided valuable insights into the waste management process. What stood
out was the intricate efforts in waste separation, landfill management, and recycling operations.
The emphasis on sustainability and the various methods employed to minimize environmental
impacts were surprising and commendable. The shift towards renewable energy and the
commitment to recycling showcased a positive approach to handling waste in an
environmentally responsible manner. Overall, the virtual field trip enhanced understanding and
awareness of the complexities involved in waste management.
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