■ People may say NIMBY (not in my backyard).
■ Degradable plastics do not decompose completely and take a long time to
decompose.
■ Methane is released as materials decay.RELEVANT LAWS
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT (RCRA)
(1976): Encouraged states to develop comprehensive plans to manage
nonhazardous industrial solid and municipal wastes. Set criteria for municipal
landfills and disposal facilities, and prohibited open dumping of solid wastes.
TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (TOSCA) (1976): Gave the EPA
the authority to track industrial chemicals produced within or imported into
the United States. Allows the EPA to ban the manufacture or importation of
chemicals that pose risks.
COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE,
COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT (CERCLA—SUPERFUND)
(1980): Provided authority for the federal government to respond to releases
or possible releases of hazardous substances that could threaten public health
and/or the environment. Established rules for closed and abandoned
hazardous waste sites. Established liability for corporations responsible for
hazardous waste sites. Created a trust fund for cleanup if responsible parties
for contaminated sites could not be found.
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT (1982): Established federal authority to
provide locations for permanent disposal of high level radioactive wastes and
required the operators of nuclear power plants to pay the costs of permanent
disposal.
CASE STUDY
20%* OF FARMLAND IN CHINA POLLUTED: Unlike air pollution, soil