359 



and social barriers can be removed, the problems both of providing large disposal 

 areas and of reclaiming the land would be solved." 



It also is noted that the recycling of wastes may become a general practice 

 in time. Technology exists to recycle many types of paper, glass, aluminum, and 

 ferrous metals, among others. Currently, 19 percent of the materials used to 

 manufacture paper products in the United States are recycled rather than virgin 

 materials. Eighty-five percent of all automobiles taken out of service are recycled 

 and used in steelmaking, and tires and aluminum cans are beginning to be 

 recycled. The problems and associated costs of separation ; transportation ; poor 

 secondary markets ; and other legal, economic, and social barriers have limited 

 recycling. However, with new approaches to these barriers, new technology, and 

 the nee<l to conserve re.sources, recycling may become practical on a broad 

 scale in the future. And as more materials are reused, disposal needs will lessen. 

 The CEQ report concludes that it is "important to note that inexpensive but 

 environmental unsound practices such as ocean dumping discourage waste reuse 

 and recycling, which are desirable in the long term." 



Sewage sludge may be disjwsed of by use as a soil conditioner or landfill, or 

 by incineration. According to the CEQ report landbased sewage sludge disposal 

 is more expensive than near-shore ocean disposal, but comparable to disposal 

 of digested sludge at a distance from shore. Depending on distance, actual 

 barge haul costs range from $1 to $12 per ton. Thickening, a process preparatory 

 to barging, can add $2 to $6 to the cost. Digestion of the sludge can raise total 

 ocean di.sposal costs by $5 to $18 per ton. Total ocean dumping costs can range 

 from $3 for undigested sludge deposited nearshore, to perhaps $40 per ton 

 for digested sludge dumped several hundred miles offshore. The current average 

 is low because most communities that use the ocean for disposal dump undigested 

 sludge nearshore. 



landfill u.se may disturb environmental amenities if improperly conducted; 

 digested sludge may, however, be profitably used for fertilizer, to improve lands 

 low in organic matter, and to reclaim strip mines. As indicated in the dis- 

 cussion on solid waste disposal, there seems to be sufficient land capacity in the 

 U.S. to handle more sewage sludge. However, current land-based operations 

 are often not adequate tn protect the environment and need improvement. Pipe- 

 line dispo.'^al of treated sewage sludge for disposal at land sites is a possible 

 alternative, but would probably increase disposal costs substantially and create 

 environmental hazards of its own due to pipeline construction and operation. 



Polluted dredge spoils may be deposited along the shoreline near the dredged 

 area behind dikes which prevent their contamination of surrounding waters; 

 however, dikin;; mav rerd'*r shoreline arras unattractive and unusable, and 

 may significantly increase the cost of dredging operations. High-temperature 

 incineration or aerobic stabilization can be used to turn polluted spoils into 

 inert ash suitable for land disposal ; however, these alternatives might increase 

 disposal costs from 4 to 24 times over ocean disposal near shore. Other types 

 of special treatments to remove toxic materials may be feasible but have yet 

 to be fully developed. 



Disposing of all dredge spoils on land does not appear possible simply because 

 of the vast tonnages involved. The proposed Convention, however, when coupled 

 with the l\S. dome>^tic ocean dumping legislntion. should help assure that 

 when such spoils are dispo.sed of in the ocean this will be done under conditions 

 that would protect marine life, since care will have to be taken in sampling 

 the spoils for toxic elements, selecting suitable disposal sites and minimizing 

 turbidity in the cour.se of dumping. 



Industrial wastes may be treated and disposed of on land, or incinerated. 

 If improperly handled, land disposal may cause fresh water pollution, or in- 

 cineration air pollution. Deep-well disposil of untreated toxic wastes may pollute 

 ground waters. However, safe treatment techniques for most toxic industrial 

 wastes appear feasible. In some cases, proper treatment and land disposal may 

 be significantly more costly than ocean disposal. In the long run, changes in 

 industrial production proces.se.s' and recycling may significantly reduce waste 

 production : such techniques are already yielding good results in modern sulfate 

 paper plants and oil refineries. 



As a general proposition and with time, it is hoped that advances in re- 

 .search and development and technology will reduce the problems associated 

 with the disposal of wastes, on land. This, however, will require a continuous 

 intensive effort by all nations concerned. Several positive steps seems to be 

 feasible, including: a) the development of comprehensive plans for the safe 



