Modern life is firmly related to the activities of the chemical industry. Packaging, decorative jewelry, production waste all this requires proper disposal. The “garbage” obtained by the chemical paths is distinguished by a long period of decomposition, and in some cases, and a great danger to the environment.
What is called chemical waste?
Chemical waste is a diverse “garbage”, which is formed as a result of the activities of the relevant industry. Garbage in quotation marks, since in addition to solid objects, there may also be liquids. First of all, these are waste of chemical industries engaged in the production of reagents and drugs for further use.
The production of packaging materials, medicines, fuel for transport, agricultural fertilizers and other goods also involves the creation of various waste that can harm the environment and humans.
What chemical waste?
Chemical type waste, which can be disposed of, are divided into several types: acids, alkalis, pesticides, oil residues, electrolytes, oils and pharmaceutical components. Oil waste is formed in the process of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, fuel oil and cannot always be used again. Acids and alkalis are actively undergoing secondary use, but also in large numbers need to be disposed of at special training grounds.
To some extent, household items obtained as a result of the action of chemical production can be considered chemical waste. First of all, this is all kinds of packaging. The times when food and household appliances were packaged in paper have long passed and now a plastic film reigns here. Packages, food bags, plastic cards, disposable dishes all this is thrown into ordinary landfills, but has a very long decomposition period. If nothing remains of the paper box in a year or two, then the plastic container will lie at the training ground and after 30 years. Most plastic elements completely decompose in the 50th year.
What happens to chemical waste?
Chemical waste can be turned into raw materials for another production process, or disposed of. Depending on the type of waste and the degree of its danger to the world around the world, there are different recycling technologies: neutralization, chlorination with oxidation, alcoholism, thermal method, distillation, biological method. All these methods are designed to reduce the toxicity of the chemical, and in some cases to obtain other properties necessary for storage in it.
Most waste of chemical production belong to dangerous and very dangerous. Therefore, they are suitable for their disposal responsibly and comprehensively. Often for this purpose, specialized organizations are involved. For certain types of waste, such as residual oil distillation products, special training grounds are created sludge storage facilities.
The secondary use of chemical waste involves often involves their processing. Moreover, in many cases, household garbage, which is a danger to the environment, can be allowed precisely for processing, and not put on the landfill. For this purpose, separate collection of garbage was invented, as well as garbage plants.
A good example of secondary use of household chemical waste is grinding plastic with the subsequent manufacture of mass for casting new products. Conventional automobile tires can be successfully used for the production of rubber crumbs, which is part of the coatings of stadiums, asphalt, flooring at railway crossings.
Dangerous chemicals in everyday life
It happens that in ordinary life a person is faced with a chemical that pose a serious danger. For example, if you break the classic medical thermometer, then mercury will result in it. This metal is able to evaporate at room temperature, and its pairs are poisonous. Inept handling of mercury can lead to poisoning, so it is better to entrust this business to professionals and call the Ministry of Emergencies.
Everyone can make a simple but very effective contribution to the disposal of household waste that is undesirable for the environment. For example, throw garbage into separate containers, and batteries (they contain an electrolyte) take to specialized collection points. However, the problem on this path is not only the lack of a desire to “bother”, but also the lack of infrastructure. In the vast majority of small cities of Eurasia, there are simply no trash for the receipt of batteries and separate containers for garbage.
