Texas electronics waste management: A policy analysis for the 21st century

Electronic waste is a fairly new and largely unknown phenomenon. Accordingly, governments have only recently acknowledged electronic waste as a threat to the environment and public health. In attempting to mitigate the hazards associated with this rapidly growing toxic waste stream, governments at all levels have started to implement e-waste management programs. The legislation enacted to create these programs is based on extended producer responsibility or EPR policy. ^ EPR shifts the burden of final disposal of e-waste from the consumer or municipal solid waste system to the manufacturer of electronic equipment. Applying an EPR policy is intended to send signals up the production chain to the manufacturer. The desired outcome is to change the methods of production in order to reduce production outputs/inputs with the ultimate goal of changing product design. This thesis performs a policy analysis of the current e-waste policies at the federal and state level of government, focusing specifically on Texas e-waste policies. ^ The Texas e-waste law known, as HB 2714 or the Texas Computer TakeBack Law, requires manufacturers to provide individual consumers with a free and convenient method for returning their used computers to manufacturers. The law is based on individual producer responsibility and shared responsibility among consumer, retailers, recyclers, and the TCEQ. ^ Using a set of evaluation criteria created by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Texas e-waste law was examined to determine its effectiveness at reducing the threat of e-waste in Texas. Based on the outcomes of the analysis certain recommendations were made for the legislature to incorporate into HB 2714. ^ The results of the policy analysis show that HB 2714 is a poorly constructed law and does not provide the desired results seen in other states with EPR policies. The TakeBack Law does little to change the collection methods of manufacturers and even less to change their production habits. If the e-waste problem is to be taken seriously, HB 2714 must be amended to reflect the proposed changes in this thesis.^

Synthesis of denim waste-based adsorbents and their application in water defluoridation

This study evaluates the application of denim fiber scraps as a precursor for the synthesis of adsorbents for water treatment via pyrolysis and their application in water defluoridation. The best pyrolysis conditions for the synthesis of this novel adsorbent have been identified and a metal doping route with different salts of Al3 +, La3 + and Fe3 + was proposed to improve its fluoride adsorption behavior. Different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques (i.e., FTIR, XPS, XRF, SEM) were used to characterize the precursor and adsorbents, and to analyze the surface interactions involved in the fluoride removal mechanism. Experimental results showed that these adsorbents were effective for fluoride adsorption showing uptakes up to 4.25 mg/g. The Si-O–metal–F interactions appear to be highly relevant for the fluoride removal. This study highlights the potential of denim textile waste as a raw material for the production of added-value products, thus minimizing their associated disposal cost. It also shows the performance of denim textile waste as a precursor of adsorbents for addressing relevant environmental concerns such as fluoride pollution.

Laboratory investigation of residual liquid organics from spills, leaks, and the disposal of hazardous wastes in groundwater /

Mode of access: Internet.

Design and evaluation of innovative hazardous waste treatment technologies at McClellan AFB,

Mode of access: Internet.

Beneficial disposal of water purification plant sludges in wastewater treatment /

Mode of access: Internet.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 : a brief look at Public Law 94-580.

Mode of access: Internet.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 : a summary of public law 94-580.

Mode of access: Internet.

Review of techniques for treatment and disposal of phosphorus-laden chemical sludges /

Mode of access: Internet.

An evaluation of the resource recovery demonstration project, Baltimore, Maryland : executive summary /

Mode of access: Internet.

Energy conservation through improved solid waste management /

"Solid waste management series (SW-125)"

Assessment of industrial hazardous waste practices : textiles industry /

"SW-125C."

Assessment of industrial hazardous waste practices : electronic components manufacturing industry /

"SW-140C."

Assessment of industrial hazardous waste practice special machinery manufacturing industries /

Mode of access: Internet.

European refuse-fired energy systems : evaluation of design practices /

Mode of access: Internet.

Markets and technology for recovering energy from solid waste /

Bibliography: p. 30-31.