Is that correct? Dr. MIDDLETON. Yes, Senator. Has your appointment been confirmed? Dr. MIDDLETON. As is often the case, we have work to be done and titles and new reorganizations do not hinder us. Yes, but I don't believe it is an appointment that requires Senate confirmation, however, sir. Senator RANDOLPH. We will return to this point a little later. Dr. MIDDLETON. I hope following the appropriation. Senator RANDOLPH. Thank you again, Dr. Middleton. Mr. Vaughan, will you identify yourself and present your statement? STATEMENT OF RICHARD D. VAUGHAN, CHIEF, SOLID WASTES PROGRAM, NATIONAL CENTER FOR URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL ADMINISTRATION, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Mr. VAUGHAN. Mr. Chairman, for the record, my name is Richard D. Vaughan. I am chief of the solid wastes program of the Environmental Control Administration, Consumer Protection and Environmental Health Service of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Before I begin, I would like to comment on your question to Dr. Middleton concerning inundation of our garbage. Since this is my field, I believe that could have come from a movie called The Third Pollution, in which the quote was made that unless we realistically face up to our solid waste management responsibilities, we are likely to be known as the Nation that sent a man to the moon while standing knee deep in garbage. That may have been the quote. Senator RANDOLPH. Yes; perhaps that is the quote. Mr. VAUGHAN. In further reference to this, we are in the business to see that this does not happen. Senator RANDOLPH. You are trying to stand tall rather than stand on it. Mr. VAUGHAN. We have to let another department take care of the moon but we will take care of the garbage. I am very pleased to be here today and welcome this opportunity to report to your subcommittee some of our current research activities in solid waste disposal. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY The solid wastes program of the Environmental Control Administration functions under the authority of the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-272), which has as its objectives: (1) To initiate and accelerate a national research and development program for new and improved methods of proper and economic solid-waste disposal, including studies directed toward the conservation of natural resources by reducing the amount of waste and unsalvageable materials and by recovery and utilization of potential resources in solid wastes; and (2) To provide technical and financial assistance to State and = local governments and interstate agencies in the planning, development, and conduct of solid-waste disposal programs. In enacting this legislation, Congress recognized the increasing problems of solid waste management which have been accentuated by continuing technological progress and improvement. The Congress also recognized the fact that inefficient and improper methods of solid waste disposal threaten the health and well-being of the Nation including interference with community life and develop ment. Following the directives in this act, the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare has established an organizational entity to address itself to these problems and find solutions for today and tomorrow and thus assure adequate protection of the air, land, and water resources of this country from degradation through inadequate and improper management of solid waste. TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE The improved technology we seek must satisfy other requirements in addition to being scientifically sound. These innovations must also be economically feasible for our society and must be safe from the standpoint of public health and the protection of our precious natural resources our land, air, and water. Technological development alone-no matter how effective, how economical, or how safe-will not do the job that is needed to be done to improve solid waste management in this country. Once new solutions are found and proven effective by research and development, their practicability and applicability to a real situation must be demonstrated. PUBLIC AWARENESS The public's attitude toward solid waste management must be changed to allow acceptance of new concepts. Communities which are jurisdictionally autonomous but collectively make up regional or metropolitan areas must learn to cooperate and work together for the adoption and implementation of solid waste collection and disposal techniques which economically and effectively serve the best interests of all. No matter how innovative new technology is, the facilities involved must be operated properly to achieve the benefit intended by the developer. This, then is the complete job of solid waste management-the approach to which the solid wastes program of the Public Health Service is dedicated. I would now like to proceed following the framework you suggested in your invitation. WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS One concept which should result in greater economy as well as a cleaner environment is the regional approach to solid waste management. This is the solid waste management equivalent to an air or watershed. We believe entire areas or regions should work together to develop and implement plans to handle all the solid waste of the entire area. In this manner, they can best utilize the advantages of economy of scale and work for the common good of all concerned to assure satis 95-825-68--13 factory environmental protection for all the region (not just part of it). The small community has too often become synonymous with disgraceful solid waste collection and disposal practices because it does not have the financial resources to do a good job all alone. We feel these small communities frequently can become part of a team by sharing responsibilities and resources with others in similar circumstances to get the job done well. COLLECTION Another approach involves automation in the storage and collection of solid wastes in our cities, thus eliminating unsightly accumulations of refuse in our residential and commercial districts. Improved collection techniques and equipment also can lessen the trail of litter that too often marks the way to the disposal site. EUROPEAN Much has been said of European incinerator design and technology which seems to give much promise for application in this country. While we feel we should learn and profit from others, we also feel that we must develop our own technology suited to the economy and needs of the United States. Other concepts which we feel must be adopted to a greater degree in future solid waste disposal operations are that of reduction of the amount of waste produced and recovery for reuse of valuable resources contained in solid wastes. Obviously, if one has less solid waste to deal with, one has fewer collection disposal problems. RECYCLING Possible approaches to this include recycling wastes in the industries in which they are produced and some type of control over the disposable container and packaging material which swells current solid waste contribution throughout the Nation. Recovery of valuable resources from solid wastes back into our economy instead of allowing them to add to the pollution of our environment should be approached to a greater degree. This would result in conservation of resources, an economic gain, and a lesser amount of waste to dispose of. COLLECTION The largest part of the solid waste management dollar is spent in collection and transportation to a disposal site. Approaches to better and more economical collection techniques will help free financial resources for better disposal practice. This includes not only better trucks but utilization of systems analysis to design a better collection system for a community or, better yet, groups of communities. One approach now being investigated utilizes railroad trains to haul the material, economically, from congested areas great distances to sites where land is available for disposal using a sanitary landfill. LAND RECLAMATION Land reclamation for recreation and commercial purposes should not be overlooked as an approach to eliminate environmental pollution. The concept is not new but is not currently being used to a significant degree in the Nation as a whole. Too many of our so-called sanitary landfills are in reality open dumps. Hills with ski slopes, amphitheaters, and soapbox derby runs can be built on mounds of solid waste in pancake flat areas of the country providing the citizenry with, for them, unique experiences. These must be designed and constructed properly so this method can be exploited throughout the country. The Public Health Service is currently investigating through research and development the feasibility of many approaches which will effectively and economically solve solid waste problems, and at the same time minimize environmental pollution. FEDERAL ROLE The solid wastes program of the Public Health Service is dedicated to developing or stimulating the development of solid waste disposal technology to meet pollution problems and any legislative require ments. The solid wastes program does not have the responsibility for determining the levels of air and water quality which will insure full use and enjoyment of these resources; however, we are unrelenting in our efforts to develop, demonstrate, and encourage the use of solid waste disposal methods which will control pollution and comply with enacted legislation. PUBLIC POLICY We feel this country must learn to dispose efficiently of its solid waste accumulation or be inundated. Public policy in recent years has made clear its desire for clean air and water. In the solid waste field, technology must be developed to insure approaches which will effectively join these two interests. Senator RANDOLPH. Mr. Vaughan, at this point, what do you consider garbage? Mr. VAUGHAN. Garbage or solid waste? Mr. VAUGHAN. Solid waste is the solid discards of society. It is a very comprehensive and inclusive term which includes garbage and refuse; you put it in the garbage can. It includes demolition waste in communities; it includes institutional, industrial, and commercial wastes from establishments; it includes agricultural wastes, animal wastes, and other agricultural wastes; and specialized waste such as abandoned automobiles. If you had to pick one definition, it would be the total solid discards of our society. BEVERAGE CONTAINERS Senator RANDOLPH. Beer cans, as well? Mr. VAUGHAN. Yes, sir; beer cans, bottles. Senator RANDOLPH. I have an average of three beer cans in front of my residence each morning. Mr. VAUGHAN. Well, this country throws away 26 billion of them a year-not beer cans, but metal cans. Senator RANDOLPH. This is the average number per year? Mr. VAUGHAN. Yes; so you are getting your share of those. I think this is a very serious problem. Mr. VAUGHAN. Yes; it is a very serious problem. It is a serious problem to anybody that is faced with having to dispose of these; it is a serious problem to those that would like to have their beaches or their landscapes or their front yards uncluttered with material. Senator RANDOLPH. Yes. The beer can is popularly thrown onto the highway and very often it is thrown from the car, in this case on to the lawn of the residence in question. So it does become a double-edged problem for both the public highway and the private landowner. PACKAGING Mr. VAUGHAN. Yes. As I will point out later, we feel that the problem of what to do with packaged material and disposable containers is one of the most major problems we face today. Senator RANDOLPH. Thank you. I had not noticed that in your state ment. If you will, proceed. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE Mr. VAUGHAN. We believe the Federal Government should play major roles in underwriting research and development costs of new solid waste technology. How can we expect communities to risk their limited financial resources on untried methods? This should, of course, be accomplished in the public interest. Industry should also share in these costs, particularly in areas where they stand to profit. We feel it is most important to conduct research and development in an atmosphere which assures a better chance for implementation of the findings in a real situation. This may mean more research should be done by industries now concerned with the development and sale of new equipment rather than in an academic situation where the work will not necessarily reflect the urgency for a practicable solution to existing or imminent problems in the solid waste management field. In our society, much scientific and engineering solid waste expertise lie in the private sector and should be utilized in the public interest. Such research and development should be at least partially financed by the Federal Government as we are now doing through the contract mechanism. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT In developing effective solid waste management technology, we are utilizing both in-house and extramural research and development mechanisms to give the best assurance that the job gets done. We have attempted to establish an effective organization which is capable of determining research needs, setting priorities for action, and deciding the proper mechanism for the solution to these problems. Whether our agency should undertake a specific research project |