Proper Mix of Alternatives and Technologies. A wide variety of alternative programs and technologies are now available for the management of solid wastes. Several questions arise from this variety: What is the proper mix between(1)the am of waste separated for reuse and recycling, (2)the amount of waste that is composted, (3)the amount of waste that is combusted, and(4)the amount of waste to be disposed of in landfills? What technology should be used for collecting wastes separated at the source, for separating waste omponents at MRFs, for composting the organic fraction of Msw, and for compacting wastes at a landfill? What is the proper timing for the application of various technologies in an IS WM system and ow should decisions be made? Because of the wide range of participants in the decision-making process for the implementation of solid waste management systems, the selection of the proper mix of alternatives and technologies for the effective management of wastes has become a difficult, if not impossible, task. The development of effective IS WM systems will depend on the availability of reliable data on the characteristics of the waste stream, performance specifications for alternative technologies, and adequate cost information. Flexibility in Meeting Future Changes The ability to adapt waste management practices to changing conditions is of critical importance in the development of an IS WM system. Some important factors to consider include(D) changes in the quantities and composition of the waste stream. (2) changes in the specifications and markets for recyclable materials, and (3) rapid developments in technology. If the IS wM system is planned and designed on the basis of a detailed analysis of the range of possible outcomes related to these factors, the local community will be protected from unexpended changes in local, regional, and larger-scale Monitoring and evaluation. Integrated solid waste management is an ongoing activity that requires continual monitoring and evaluation to determine if program objectives and goals(e.g, waste diversion goals) are being met Only by developing and implementing ongoing monitoring and evaluation programs can timely changes be made to the ISwM system that reflect changes in waste characteristics, changing specifications and markets for recovered materials, and new and improved waste management technologies 12.5 Operation of Solid Waste Management Systems The facilities that compose a solid waste management system are often identified as solid waste management system units. The planning and engineering of solid waste management units include social, political, and technical factors. The combination of all of these factors forms a series of issues that must be addressed by community decision makers. Some contemporary solid waste management issues and future challenges and opportunities are introduced in the following discussion; these subjects will also be addressed in greater detail later in the text Management issues In addition to meeting the requirements associated with IS wM, a number of other management issues must be addressed in the operation of ISWM systems. The solid waste practitioner must acknowledge these management issues or face a high risk of failure in the implementation of solid waste management programs. Setting Workable but Protective Regulatory Standards. Solid waste management units are subject to an increasing number of regulations. The attention is justified and timely, but strict adherence to very protective regulatory standards often causes failure of the processes by which waste management units are put in place Municipal solid waste management is caught in the backlash of understandable public concern over hazardous waste management. Regulatory agencies. in setting standards for construction, operation, data derived from experiments with massive doses of toxic compounds. Municipal waste does no contain massive quantities of toxics, but it does contain the small amounts found in the wastes from normal household activities. An unworkable regulation is one that ignores reality and deals only with certain technical data12-6 Proper Mix of Alternatives and Technologies. A wide variety of alternative programs and technologies are now available for the management of solid wastes. Several questions arise from this variety: What is the proper mix between (1) the amount of waste separated for reuse and recycling, (2) the amount of waste that is composted, (3) the amount of waste that is combusted, and (4) the amount of waste to be disposed of in landfills? What technology should be used for collecting wastes separated at the source, for separating waste components at MRFs, for composting the organic fraction of MSW, and for compacting wastes at a landfill? What is the proper timing for the application of various technologies in an ISWM system and how should decisions be made? Because of the wide range of participants in the decision-making process for the implementation of solid waste management systems, the selection of the proper mix of alternatives and technologies for the effective management of wastes has become a difficult, if not impossible, task. The development of effective ISWM systems will depend on the availability of reliable data on the characteristics of the waste stream, performance specifications for alternative technologies, and adequate cost information. Flexibility in Meeting Future Changes. The ability to adapt waste management practices to changing conditions is of critical importance in the development of an ISWM system. Some important factors to consider include (1) changes in the quantities and composition of the waste stream, (2) changes in the specifications and markets for recyclable materials, and (3) rapid developments in technology. If the ISWM system is planned and designed on the basis of a detailed analysis of the range of possible outcomes related to these factors, the local community will be protected from unexpended changes in local, regional, and larger-scale conditions. Monitoring and Evaluation. Integrated solid waste management is an ongoing activity that requires continual monitoring and evaluation to determine if program objectives and goals (e.g., waste diversion goals) are being met . Only by developing and implementing ongoing monitoring and evaluation programs can timely changes be made to the ISWM system that reflect changes in waste characteristics, changing specifications and markets for recovered materials, and new and improved waste management technologies. 12.5 Operation of Solid Waste Management Systems The facilities that compose a solid waste management system are often identified as solid waste management system units. The planning and engineering of solid waste management units include social, political, and technical factors. The combination of all of these factors forms a series of issues that must be addressed by community decision makers. Some contemporary solid waste management issues and future challenges and opportunities are introduced in the following discussion; these subjects will also be addressed in greater detail later in the text. Management Issues In addition to meeting the requirements associated with ISWM, a number of other management issues must be addressed in the operation of ISWM systems. The solid waste practitioner must acknowledge these management issues or face a high risk of failure in the implementation of solid waste management programs. Setting Workable but Protective Regulatory Standards. Solid waste management units are subject to an increasing number of regulations. The attention is justified and timely, but strict adherence to very protective regulatory standards often causes failure of the processes by which waste management units are put in place. Municipal solid waste management is caught in the backlash of understandable public concern over hazardous waste management. Regulatory agencies, in setting standards for construction, operation, and monitoring of units, are beset by lawyers and environmental groups recently armed with scientific data derived from experiments with massive doses of toxic compounds. Municipal waste does not contain massive quantities of toxics, but it does contain the small amounts found in the wastes from normal household activities. An unworkable regulation is one that ignores reality and deals only with certain technical data