10.1.3. Volume reduction

Volume reduction includes those techniques that remove the hazardous portion of a waste from a non-hazardous portion. These techniques are usually to reduce the volume, and thus the cost of disposing of a waste material.

Volume reduction refers to methods applied to lessen the size of waste material. It aims to separate hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste, thereby making disposal easier and less costly. Generally, this involves reducing the quantity of waste that needs to be handled or stored, which can lead to lower landfill fees and a smaller environmental impact.

Think of volume reduction like compressing a large garbage bag. By squishing it down, you’re able to fit more into your trash can, which in turn means less frequent trips to the dumpster.

The techniques that can be used to reduce waste-stream volume can be divided into 2 general categories: source segregation and waste concentration.

Volume reduction techniques fall into two main categories: source segregation, which involves sorting waste at the point of generation to keep hazardous and non-hazardous wastes separate; and waste concentration, which focuses on techniques to condense waste into a smaller volume. By segregating waste, materials can be treated individually, ensuring that hazardous materials are handled properly, while waste concentration techniques aim to extract maximum value from the waste by reducing it in size.

Consider a recycling bin where you separate paper, plastics, and metals. Each is treated based on its material type (source segregation). If you crush cans before putting them in, you’re helping to save space in the bin (waste concentration).

Segregation of wastes is in many cases a simple and economical technique for waste reduction. Wastes containing different types of metals can be treated separately so that the metal value in the sludge can be recovered.

Source segregation is the practice of separating different types of waste materials at the point they are generated. This technique is economical because it reduces contamination of recyclable materials and can enhance recovery rates. For example, segregating metals makes it easier to recycle them and minimizes the need for complicated processing that can waste resources.

Imagine sorting your laundry by color before washing. By separating whites from colors, you avoid ruining clothes. Similarly, segregating waste aids in effective recycling and materials recovery.

Concentration of a waste stream may increase the likelihood that the material can be recycled or reused. Methods include gravity and vacuum filtration, ultra filtration, reverse osmosis, freeze vaporization etc.

Waste concentration enhances the potential for recycling by reducing the volume of waste and allowing for easier processing. Techniques like gravity or vacuum filtration help to separate and concentrate valuable materials from waste, making it more manageable to recycle. Through methods like reverse osmosis or freeze vaporization, waste can be purified and condensed into a reusable form.

Think about how a sponge works. When you press a wet sponge, it releases concentrated water. Similarly, waste concentration techniques pull out valuable materials from waste, making it easier to manage and recycle.

For example, an electronic component manufacturer can use compaction equipments to reduce volume of waste cathode ray-tube.

In real-world applications, manufacturing industries often implement volume reduction techniques to manage waste effectively. An electronic component manufacturer might use compaction equipment to flatten or reduce the size of waste materials, such as cathode ray tubes. This not only lowers the volume of waste but can also make it easier and more cost-effective to transport and store.

Consider how recycling centers compact cans. By crushing them down, they save space and reduce transportation costs, just like the manufacturer with cathode ray tubes.

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