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efforts. They must accept the consequences of their lifestyle choices on local and large-scale
environments. Complacency has brought us to where we are today; we now need comprehensive
knowledge combined with committed action to establish a new framework in managing wastes.
There are few references which collectively address the management of the above listed wastes
although the engineer, scientist, or regulatory person may ultimately be responsible for the proper
disposition of one or more types. This book is intended to serve as a comprehensive manual for the
identification and management of a wide range of wastes ranging from those that are merely a nui-
sance to extremely hazardous. This is an introductory manual for waste management as mandated
by the RCRA and related statutes, with an emphasis on basic environmental science and related
technical fields.
The first part of this book (Part I) provides an overview of the historical and regulatory devel-
opment of waste management. The second part (Part II) delineates the management of municipal
solid wastes, i.e., those we encounter on a daily basis. Both conventional (e.g., sanitary landfill, aer-
obic composting) and innovative (bioreactor landfill, high-solids anaerobic digestion) technologies
are discussed. The third part (Part III) addresses hazardous wastes and their management, from the
perspectives of identification, transportation, and requirements for generators and for treatment,
storage, and disposal facilities. Disposition via incineration, chemical treatment, and land disposal
is also presented. The final part (Part IV) is devoted to special categories of waste that cannot find
a regulatory “home” under either RCRA Subtitle D (Solid Wastes) or Subtitle C (Hazardous
Wastes). These include used motor oil, medical waste, and electronics waste, among others.
In addition to end-of-chapter problems provided in all chapters to this book, Chapters 4
(Characterization of Solid Waste), 8 (Composting MSW), 9 (Incineration of MSW) and 10 (The
Sanitary Landfill) contain exercises using data from field situations. Data are supplied in Microsoft
Excel format. The student is to analyze the data, answer the questions and provide conclusions. The
exercises and data can be accessed on the Web by going to: www.crcpress.com/e_products/
downloads/download.asp? cat_no=3525
Regardless of how passionately some Americans may adhere to the “reduce, reuse, and
recycle” mantra, wastes of varying toxicity and mobility in the biosphere will continue to be pro-
duced in incomprehensible quantities. It is therefore critical that Americans become aware of the
hazards and potential benefits of wastes in order to manage them in the most appropriate fashion.