Do you know what happens to the things you throw away? Sustainable management of municipal and industrial waste is essential in any society, but is particularly crucial for a future in which we face diminishing resources and a growing population. This album considers the issues that are driving the waste management industry across the EU, looking in depth at processes of recycling, landfill, incineration, obtaining energy from waste, and composting. In the bonus audio tracks Professor Andrew Porteous of The Open University explains why the case studies were chosen, and Dr Suresh Nesaratnam gives an overview of the academic context in which waste management is studied. The material forms part of The Open University course T210 Environmental control and public health.
Track 11: Waste Collection
Analyse what you throw away. The different methods local authorities use to collect and sort your rubbish.
How your recycling gets separated and processed. When to re-use packaging, opt for composting, or incinerate waste to produce energy.
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Waste Re-use
The 6,000 landfill sites across Britain take about 80% of our household waste. A visit to a former landfill site, now a golf course.
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The Science of Landfill
Stage by stage in the design of a landfill site. Finding the right geology and hydro geology and assessing the pollution risk.
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Landfill Site Selection
At landfill site Judkins in Nuneaton they conduct daily checks , dispose of accumulated leachates and make use of the gas and water collected.
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Landfill Operation
The EU landfill directive is enforcing major change - reducing the volume of waste going to landfill and developing more incineration sites.
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Landfill – the Future
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