Management Options for Materials and Wastes from Disasters
Recovery from a human-made or natural disaster will likely involve the management of materials and wastes generated by the disaster itself and/or from response activities, such as decontamination and sampling and analysis activities. To make cost-effective decisions that protect human health and the environment, it is important to understand the capabilities and limitations of different options for the various materials and waste streams generated.
EPA has a Waste Management Hierarchy, with a preference for source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting options. Planning for potential disasters should include identifying opportunities for source reduction and developing criteria and options for safe reuse, recycling, and composting in addition to other treatment and disposal options. Management options identified for material and waste streams that may potentially be generated by disasters should be documented in a pre-incident waste management plan.
The information on management options presented on this page can assist in pre-incident planning and can inform debris management decisions before and after a disaster occurs. The considerations, potential disasters, and possible debris streams listed for each option are not intended to be exhaustive or conclusive but rather a starting place for decision making. Other management options may also exist.
On this page:
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycling
- Composting
- Long-term Storage
- On-site Burial
- Landfill Disposal
- Open Burning
- Combustion
- Rendering
- Alkaline Hydrolysis
- Digestion Methods
- Autoclaving
- Bioremediation
Reduce
Description
Before a disaster occurs, communities can take steps to reduce the amount and toxicity of disaster-generated materials and wastes. For example, the community can minimize debris and mitigate the hazards in their neighborhoods by updating building codes or retrofitting PCB transformers. Communities can limit the possible spread of contamination by sealing access points to the sewer or water system with drain covers.
The initial planning and preparation efforts communities take to minimize the amount and toxicity of disaster-generated materials and wastes have several environmental benefits (e.g., reducing the amount of new materials needed for rebuilding), as well as economic benefits (e.g., shortening the recovery timeline). EPA’s Creating Disaster-Resilient Buildings to Minimize Disaster Debris guidance provides detailed recommendations on planning, designing, improving, and adapting new and existing buildings to withstand specific disaster types. Discover more ideas at Mitigating Debris Before and After a Disaster.
Considerations
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Reuse
Description
Materials that are recovered from a disaster may be reusable. Reuse refers to using materials again in their original form. These items typically are not removed from the site. Reusing materials helps protect the environment by saving resources, including energy, virgin materials, and landfill space, while reducing the economic impact to the affected area and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the transportation, treatment, and disposal of generated wastes. This option should be considered before other management options for disaster debris in order to minimize the amount of waste needing disposal.
In some cases, entire buildings can be relocated. Buildings can also be deconstructed to allow the reuse of building materials. Undamaged materials can be reused structurally with building code official approval, and damaged materials may be able to be reused for other purposes (e.g., structural lumber to build fences or community garden beds). Salvaged materials have also been reused to build lockable disaster recovery sheds for recovery workers’ personal items and for repairs.
Communities should evaluate their reuse programs to ensure they can be scaled up to handle disaster-generated materials, if necessary. Temporary reuse areas can also be developed at open warehouses and other facilities after disasters. To maximize reuse opportunities for different materials during a disaster, viable reuse infrastructure, such as warehouses and end markets for salvaged products, should be in place prior to a disaster. In addition, communities should establish and document guidelines in their pre-incident waste management plans for salvaging and reusing various materials. Risk communication should be a part of debris management-focused community outreach plans to help ensure public acceptance of the salvaged materials.
Considerations
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Benefits |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Biological Incidents.
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Buildings.
- Construction and Demolition Debris.
- Soils.
- Sediment and Sandbags.
- Electronics.
- White Goods.
- Vehicles and Vessels.
- Building Contents.
- Harmful Materials (e.g., paints, pesticides).
Recycling
Description
Materials that are recovered from a disaster may be recyclable. Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be disposed of as waste and using them as feedstock for new products. Items usually are recycled off-site. However, in some circumstances, items can be recycled on-site (e.g., asphalt recycling or breaking up and grinding concrete on-site for immediate use in backfill). Recycling helps protect the environment by saving resources, including energy, virgin materials, and landfill space. This option should be considered before more permanent disposal options in order to minimize the amount of waste needing disposal.
Communities should evaluate their existing recycling programs to ensure they can be scaled up to handle disaster debris, if necessary. To maximize recycling opportunities for different debris streams during a disaster, a viable recycling infrastructure, such as recycling facilities and end markets for recycled products, should be in place prior to a disaster. For example, green building programs, local waste management ordinances, and building code requirements can encourage the creation and help maintain a robust and functioning recycling infrastructure. In addition, communities should establish criteria for recycling various debris streams.
Risk communication should be addressed in debris management-focused community outreach plans to help ensure public acceptance of recycled products made from disaster debris.
EPA’s Disaster Debris Recovery Tool contains information on possible recyclers and other waste management companies that may manage disaster debris. This interactive map provides information and locations of over 20,000 facilities throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Considerations
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Biological Incidents.
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Vegetative Debris.
- Construction and Demolition Debris.
- Hazardous Waste.
- Electronics.
- White Goods.
- Vehicles and Vessels.
Composting
Description
Composting is a process that involves combining organic wastes in proper ratios into piles, rows, or vessels, adding bulking agents (e.g., wood chips) as necessary to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials and allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process. Composting requires a carbon source, which potentially can be acquired through grinding vegetative debris, thereby effectively managing two debris streams at the same time. Finished compost provides nutrients to plants, improves soil structure and texture, and helps soil retain water, which can reduce erosion. Composting also reduces methane emissions associated with organic materials decomposition in landfills.
Controlled methods of composting include mechanical mixing and aerating, ventilating the materials by dropping them through a vertical series of aerated chambers, or placing the compost in piles out in the open air and mixing it or turning it periodically. This treatment option is distinct from backyard composting that individuals conduct on their own properties. Instead, composting, as a treatment option, is used to decompose large quantities of debris either on-site (e.g., on a farm in association with animal disease control activities) or off-site (e.g., composting facilities). Off-site composting will create transportation considerations.
Considerations
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks (e.g., Avian Influenza).
Possible Debris Streams:
- Vegetative Debris.
- Food.
- Paper.
- Animal Carcasses.
Long-term Storage
Description
Storage refers to the holding of materials and wastes for a temporary period of time prior to recycling, treating, or disposing of them. In the event that existing waste management facilities do not have the capacity or capability to manage all disaster-generated materials and wastes, long-term storage may be needed until other management options become feasible. Federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial laws and regulations may apply, including permits.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Explosive Incidents.
- Radiological Incidents.
- Biological Incidents.
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Municipal Solid Waste.
- Hazardous Waste.
- Construction and Demolition Debris.
- Radiological-contaminated Debris.
- Biological-contaminated Debris.
- Chemical-contaminated Debris.
On-site Burial
Description
On-site burial involves placing waste within the ground at the site of the incident. This disposal option should only be used when site characteristics allow it (e.g., depth to water table) and proper environmental controls to protect groundwater, surface water, air, and soil are put into place. Refer to federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial laws and regulations for the appropriate requirements.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Municipal Solid Waste.
- Vegetative Debris.
- Construction and Demolition Debris.
- Animal Carcasses.
Landfill Disposal
Description
Landfills are carefully designed structures built into or on top of the ground in which waste is placed in isolation from the surrounding environment. There are different types of landfills, each designed to handle particular types of waste. For example, hazardous waste must be placed into a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C landfill. Municipal solid waste can be placed into a RCRA Subtitle D landfill. In addition, there are construction and demolition landfills, industrial landfills, and landfills that accept low-level radioactive waste. Generally, each landfill is permitted or licensed for particular types of waste.
A landfill generally cannot accept waste that falls outside the scope of its permit. However, even if a privately owned landfill legally can accept a particular waste, the owner or operator does not have to accept the waste. In addition, some wastes may need to be treated (e.g., volume or toxicity reduction) before being disposed of in a landfill or may require disposal in a special landfill (e.g., asbestos-containing waste). It is important to note that treatment options may generate their own wastes, which may also be disposed of in landfills, when appropriate. More information on landfills can be found on EPA’s Landfills webpage.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Explosive Incidents.
- Radiological Incidents.
- Biological Incidents.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks (e.g., Chronic Wasting Disease).
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Vegetative Debris.
- Construction and Demolition Debris.
- Soils, Sediments, and Sandbags.
- Municipal Solid Waste.
- Hazardous Waste.
- Electronics.
- White Goods.
- Animal Carcasses.
- Food.
- Radiological-contaminated Debris.
- Biological-contaminated Debris.
- Chemical-contaminated Debris.
Open Burning
Description
Open burning is the deliberate outdoor burning of waste. It can be done in open drums, in fields, or in large open pits or trenches. The use of this option is highly restrictive; many states and local communities have laws regulating or banning open burning due to human health and pollution concerns. Open burning is prohibited for many waste streams and may require special permission for allowable waste streams. Open burning should only be considered when no other alternatives are available and where it is appropriate. Under certain conditions, emergency waivers may be issued. Refer to state, local, Tribal, and territorial regulations for specific requirements.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Vegetative Debris.
- Animal Carcasses.
Combustion
Description
Combustion units burn waste under controlled conditions primarily for energy and material recovery (i.e., in boilers and industrial furnaces) or waste destruction (i.e., in incinerators). As with landfills, different combustion units are permitted for different types of waste. Hazardous waste combustion is restricted to a combustion unit permitted to accept hazardous waste.
Coordination with combustion facilities is necessary to determine what types of disaster debris could potentially be managed at these facilities. Hazardous waste incinerators are designed to handle a variety of types of hazardous wastes, and many facilities have a high degree of flexibility as to the types of feedstocks they can accept. Municipal solid waste combustion units are permitted to burn municipal solid waste, and medical waste incinerators are designed to handle pathogenic wastes. A privately owned combustion unit does not have to accept the waste brought to it, even if the waste is within the scope of its permit.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Biological Incidents.
- Food Contamination.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks (e.g., Chronic Wasting Disease).
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Vegetative Debris.
- Municipal Solid Waste.
- Hazardous Waste.
- Animal Carcasses.
- Biological-contaminated Debris.
Rendering
Description
Rendering facilities convert animal carcasses or animal by-products into economically valuable products, such as animal feed ingredients and soaps. During the rendering process, as the animal material is heated, water is driven off, and the animal material separates into a fat-containing material called “tallow” and a solid material called “meat and bone meal.” Please note that in order to prevent the spread of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow disease,” through animal feed, FDA prohibits the rendering of high-risk cattle material for animal feed use. Therefore, this high-risk cattle material will have to be disposed of by other means (e.g., landfill, composting, incineration, and possibly by disposal rendering).
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Food.
- Fats, Oils, and Grease.
- Animal Carcasses.
Alkaline Hydrolysis
Description
Alkaline hydrolysis uses an alkaline solution, such as sodium hydroxide, pressure, and heat, to convert animal carcasses into an aqueous solution. The resulting aqueous solution must be neutralized and properly managed. Alkaline hydrolysis is one of the few technologies capable of deactivating prions, which are believed to cause prion diseases, such as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (i.e., mad cow disease) and chronic wasting disease.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Animal Carcasses.
Digestion Methods
Description
Digestion involves a process that uses bacteria to break down organic matter (animal carcasses). The digestion process produces biosolids and methane gas, which are potentially useful products.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Animal Carcasses.
Autoclaving
Description
Autoclaving sterilizes waste through the use of high temperatures and high-pressure steam. It is a commonly used treatment process for medical waste.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Biological Incidents (e.g., Bacillus anthracis).
- Pandemic Diseases (e.g., Ebola).
- Animal Disease Outbreaks.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Biological-contaminated Debris.
Bioremediation
Description
Bioremediation is a process that naturally degrades chemicals in soil and groundwater using biological processes that involve the conversion of chemicals by microbes into water and harmless gases. The right conditions (e.g., temperature, nutrients, amount of oxygen) must be present or created in order for bioremediation to be successful.
Considerations
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Benefits |
Challenges |
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Potential Disasters:
- Natural Disasters.
- Explosive Incidents.
- Chemical Incidents.
Possible Debris Streams:
- Chemical-contaminated Debris, Soil and Water.