4-1-1
Why 411?
In Puerto Rico the 411 code is dialed to ask for information. In this project we're giving information about the world, its resources and how to protect them.
Questionaire about landfills
Our teacher contacted a Chemical Engineer René Rodríguez who works for a company that manages waste. She asked him through email to answer a questionaire we made. He was kind enough to answer it.
Answered questionaire (English version)
René Rodríguez
Chemical Engineer
Waste Management Inc.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Questions about landfills
What kind of solid waste do the landfills manage?
The landfills primarily handle residential solid waste, but in occasions also handle commercial and industrial waste.
How can solid waste affect the environment?
Domestic waste contains a large amount of chemicals which contaminate. Some examples are oven cleaning products, detergents, and paint among others.
How does the water get contaminated?
If the domestic waste is not managed properly, the water that comes from the rain can filter down contaminating the water source. The garbage as it discomposes produces water and the combination of the contaminated water filtered through the garbage generates a contaminated agent called lixiviates. If this contaminated agent is not filtered and recovered it goes through the soil contaminating our water resources.
How does the soil get contaminated?
The same way that the water gets contaminated; through the infiltration of the contaminated agent in contact with the soil damaging it.
How does the air get contaminated?
When the organic waste decomposes it produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane. These are greenhouse gases that contribute to the global warming.
How can water resources be protected?
They are protected by synthetic membranes made out of high density polyethylene. These membranes are placed at the bottom of the landfill before any waste is deposited.
Answered questionaire (Complete file)
Due to the length of the questionaire, a portion of it couldn't be published as a text. Here you can read the entire document.
File Type: MS Word Document: 31 K
Did you know...
Did you know that exercising is an awesome way to help your community and be healthy at the same time? How? Well exercising purifies your body, makes you more active and do you wouldn't pollute the sky more by using the car less, spend less time watching TV or playing on the computer.
When we exercise, we feel better and can appreciate nature more when taking walks in the neighborhood. So come on!! Get motivated, exercise and get people from your community to exercise with you.
Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico
| I took these pictures when I went with my family to Dorado. Isn't nature spectacular? |
Dorado Beach
Apart from going on field trips with our Planet Keeper team, my family decided to go on a mountain bike competition (since my step-dad is an athlete) in Dorado. I thought it would be like the rest of the competitions in parks or in the Olympic track of Salinas. When I got to Dorado I noticed it was by the beach. Since I am a very curious person I started to walk along the Mountain bike trail and I noticed a little dirt path. When I finally got to the end I saw how the waves would break on the edge of the cliff. Something I couldn't believe was how clean that place was. I believe that this is how all of the beaches from Puerto Rico and the world should be instead of being full of trash or dangerous plastic bags that kill our sea animal friends like the fish. Remember one person can make one huge change in there community and in the world.
Hey everyone!!
I just want to say I hope all of you remember that April 22 is Earth day , so make a contribution towards our world and show that you care by making a difference that day! Contact me by telling me what you can do to help our resources that special day and everyday.
Everyday is a special and day and no matter if isn't the "Earth Day" we have to take care of the world and do what is best for it. So I promise and I know I will always keep talking to others about what is wrong and good to our world and someday I will see the results of my job.
May. 01, 2009
I promise to always take care and protect the world.
Apr. 30, 2009
i, as a planet lover, i will lessen the electricity i use and i will also clean my surroundgings...
Apr. 21, 2009