Table 15.1 - Potential environmental impacts of waste management practices
Source: EEA-TF
  | Air | Water | Soil | Landscape | Ecosystems | Urban areas |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Landfill | Emissions of CH4, CO2; odours. | Leaching of salts, heavy metals, bio-degradable and persistent organics to groundwater | Accumulation of hazardous substances in soil | Soil occupancy; restrictions on other landuses | Contamination and accumulation of toxic substances in the food-chain | Exposure to hazardous substances |
Composting | Emissions of CH4, CO2; odours |   |   | Soil occupancy; restrictions on other landuses | Contamination and accumulation of toxic substances in the food-chain |   |
Incineration | Emissions: SO2, NOx, HCI, HF, NMVOC, CO, CO2, N2O, dioxins, dibenzofurans, heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cu, As) | Deposition of hazardous substances on surface water | Landfilling of slags, fly ash and scrap | Visual intrusion; restrictions on other landuses | Contamination and accumulation of toxic substances in the food-chain | Exposure to hazardous substances |
Recycling | Emissions of dust | Wastewater discharges | Landfilling of final residues | Visual intrusion |   | Noise |
Trans- portation | Emissions of dust, NOx, SO2; release of hazardous substances from accidental spills | Risk of surface water and groundwater contamination from accidental spills | Risk of soil contamination from accidental spills | Traffic | Risk of contamination from accidental spills | Risk of exposure to hazardous substances from accidental spills; traffic |