500 B C 1388 1000 500 B C

500 B. C. 1388 1000 500 B. C. Ancient Times 1904 1899 1874 1870 1885 1916 1898 1890 1880 1860 1902 1900 1910 1920 1980 1971 1942 - 1945 1930 1959 1940 1950 1965 1960 1978 1976 1970 1980 2005 1989 1987 1981 1988 1981 1985 1990 1992 1994 1995 1997

In 500 BC, the Athens organized the first municipal landfill in the western world and required waste disposal to be at least one mile from city walls. Back to Timeline

In 1388, English Parliament puts a ban on waste disposal in public waterways and ditches. Waste disposal methods involve simply throwing garbage out of windows and doors. Back to Timeline

A new invention in Nottingham, England called “The Destructor” provides the first incineration of MSW. Back to Timeline

The first incinerator in the US is built on Governor’s Island, New York. Back to Timeline

In 1898, Colonel Waring, New York City street cleaning commissioner, creates a solid waste management program that ends ocean dumping , institutes mandatory household separation of wastes, and begins the first recycling program. Back to Timeline

In 1899, the Rivers and Harbors Act began requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to regulate the dumping of debris In navigable waters and adjacent lands. Back to Timeline

Municipal Solid Waste Management becomes a norm in 1902. By this time, 72% of US cities provided trash collection. Back to Timeline

The nation’s first major aluminum recycling plant opens in 1904. Back to Timeline

In 1916, cities switched from horsedrawn waste collection vehicles to motorized ones. Back to Timeline

Through the 1940’s, Americans collected rubber, paper, scrap metal fats, and tin cans in order to help the war effort. Back to Timeline

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) publishes the standard guide to sanitary landfilling. Visit the ASCE website: www. asce. org Back to Timeline

The Solid Waste Disposal Act, the nation’s first federal MSW Management law is passed in 1965. The goals of this act were to: 1) Promote the demonstration, construction, and application of solid waste management and resource recovery systems that preserve and enhance the quality of air, water and services. 2) Provide technical and financial assistance to state and local governments and interstate agencies in the planning and development of resource recovery and solid waste disposal programs. 3) Promote a national research and development program for improved management techniques; more effective organizational arrangements; new and improved methods of collection, separation, recovery, and recycling of solid wastes; and the environmentally safe disposal of of nonrecoverable residues. 4) Provide for the promulgation of guidelines for solid waste collection, transport, separation, recovery, and disposal systems. 5) Provide for training grants in occupations involving the design, operation, and maintenance of solid waste disposal systems. Back to Timeline

The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 was ammended in 1970 by Public Law 95 -512, the Resources Recovery Act of 1970. This act emphasized that the main focus should be shifted from disposal as its primary objective, to recycling and reuse of recoverable materials in solid wastes, or to the conversion of wastes to energy. Back to Timeline

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developed in 1971. Visit the EPA website at: www. epa. gov Back to Timeline

In 1976, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was Passed setting specific guidelines for solid waste storage, treatment, and disposal. This act included both hazardous and solid waste. Back to Timeline

In its review of Philadelphia vs. New Jersey the US Supreme Court invalidates a New Jersey law excluding out-of-state waste from public and Private landfills. Back to Timeline

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) was enacted to provide a means of directly responding and funding the activities of response to problems at uncontrolled hazardous waste disposal sites. Uncontrolled MSW landfills are facilities that have not operated or are not operating under a RCRA permit. Uncontrolled MSW landfills, both active and closed, are subject to CERCLA activities if they are demonstrated to contain hazardous waste or if to be the source of hazardous wastes. CERCLA became commonly known as the “Superfund Law”. Back to Timeline

In 1981, the Public Utility Regulation and Policy Act (PURPA) was enacted which directs public and private utilities to purchase power from waste-to-energy facilities. This legislation has been used to advance the use of solid waste as a fuel in generating electricity. Back to Timeline

The Mobro 4000, a barge carrying 6, 000 tons of garbage is rejected by Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, New Jersey, Belize, and Mexico. After 173 days the load is incinerated at the Long Islandfill from which it had been taken. Back to Timeline

The United States EPA sets a recycling goal of 25%. Medical Waste washes up on eastern US beaches. Back to Timeline

Bill Rathe recovers 18 year old corn-on-the-cob, meat, and orange Carrots from an Arizona landfill confirming the lack of biodegradation in some landfills. Visit one of Dr. Rathe’s experiments. Back to Timeline

RCRA Subtitle D establishes minimum design and operating Criteria for MSW landfills. Back to Timeline

The US Supreme Court holds that flow control is unconstitutional. Back to Timeline

In 1997, the EPA increased the recycling goal to 35%. Back to Timeline