Problem
I. Watch the YouTube video "The Story of Microbeads" and answer the following questions:
i. What are microbeads?
ii. Why do microbeads pose an environmental threat?
iii. How can microbeads pose a threat to human health?
iv. Research the Microbead-Free Waters Act passed by President Obama in 2015. How will this act protect human and environmental health?
II. Head to the following website: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/national-priorities-list-npl-sites-state
i. What are National Priorities List (NPL) sites?
ii. Click on Colorado.
a. How many NPL sites are there in our state?
b. Are there any in Colorado Springs?
iii. Choose one of the Colorado NPL sites and click on the "Site Listing Narrative" link. Answer the following questions:
a. Which site did you choose to examine?
b. Where is it located?
c. What are the major concerns for this site?
d. What actions have been taken so far?
III. There are several companies throughout Colorado Springs that pick up recycled materials but there will always be materials that are not accepted. A google search and see if you can find local options for the following hard-to-recycle materials. List the location and any requirements for recycling each item.
i. Mattresses
ii. Styrofoam packaging
iii. Electronics
iv. Batteries
v. Paint and oil
IV. Read the pdf document on Colorado Springs landfill (Colorado Springs Landfill Fact Sheet pdf (wmsolutions) and answer the following questions (do not just cut and paste text):
i. What year was the landfill opened and what is its projected life remaining?
ii. Do you think the landfill is in a reasonable location given the projected growth in Colorado Springs in the next few decades?
iii. What classic landfill containment features does the site utilize?
iv. How is leachate handled?
v. How is groundwater monitored and at what frequency? Does this seem often enough to you? What types of events may increase the chances of groundwater pollution?
vi. Name 5 acceptable materials. Do any of them seem surprising to you? Why?
vii. Name 5 unacceptable materials. Do any of them seem surprising to you? Why?
viii. What is the type of waste that comes from your home called?