ENS2140 By-Product Management

Intermediate · 1 credit · NAT - Natural Resources

Description: Students examine the by-product (waste) management of natural and manufactured materials and identify its relationship to sustainable development.
Prerequisite: ENS1115: Resource Management
Parameters: Access to government-, industry- and/or community-sponsored waste management facilities and systems. Access to a science laboratory.

Outcomes The student will:

1 present a rationale for by-product (waste) management
- 1.1 describe societal trends in the consumption of material goods and the generation of by-product material
- 1.2 examine problems and alternatives associated with the disposal of by-product materials at local and global levels
- 1.3 analyze economic and environmental trade-offs that occur through the by-product management of natural or manufactured materials; e.g., compost, wood, rubber, plastic, paper
- 1.4 identify and explain current legislation that supports by-product management
2 describe the four Rs of by-product management: reduce, reuse, recycle and recover
- 2.1 explain the four Rs as an environmental hierarchy of options for conserving resources and managing by-products
- 2.2 identify potential benefits and costs associated with the four Rs of by-product management; e.g., use of energy and other natural resources, impact on pollution, litter and the environment, cost related to collecting and processing materials, storage of toxic and radioactive materials
- 2.3 illustrate one example of by-product management in Alberta that uses at least one of the four Rs
3 identify opportunities related to managing by-products
- 3.1 describe products or services that may be developed from the management of organic and inorganic by-products; e.g., glass, scrap metal, plant material, paper, recycling depots, transportation, manufacturing, haz-mat crews
- 3.2 explore systems that have the potential to reduce energy consumption and/or by-product generation; e.g., cogeneration, methane capture, use of waste heat
- 3.3 identify and locate by-product management facilities and systems currently used in Alberta; e.g., landfills, recycling depots, Swan Hills Treatment Centre, compost, community sorting centres, landfill gas recovery
- 3.4 explain techniques used to control quality within the by-product management industry; e.g., inspection and sorting of raw materials, product quality and uniformity
- 3.5 identify a strategy for personal involvement in the by-product management of an organic or inorganic material; e.g., glass, metal, cellulose, petrochemical
4 demonstrate basic competencies
- 4.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
  - 4.1.1 communicate
  - 4.1.2 manage information
  - 4.1.3 use numbers
  - 4.1.4 think and solve problems
- 4.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
  - 4.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
  - 4.2.2 be responsible
  - 4.2.3 be adaptable
  - 4.2.4 learn continuously
  - 4.2.5 work safely
- 4.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
  - 4.3.1 work with others
  - 4.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
5 identify possible life roles related to the skills and content of this cluster
- 5.1 recognize and then analyze the opportunities and barriers in the immediate environment
- 5.2 identify potential resources to minimize barriers and maximize opportunities