Electronic Parts/Guidelines - infoHouse

BALER
a machine used to compress recyclables
into bundles to reduce volume. Balers are
often used on newspaper, plastics, and
corrugated cardboard. (7)
BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)
a measure of the amount of oxygen used
by micro-organisms to break down organic
waste materials in water. (1)
BIODEGRADABILITY
the ability of the physical and/or chemical
structure of a compound to be substantially
broken-down by microorganisms
within a specified period of time under
defined environmental exposure conditions.
BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL
waste material which is capable of being
broken down by microorganisms into
simple, stable compounds such as carbon
dioxide and water. Most organic wastes,
such as food wastes and paper, are
biodegradable. (7)
BIODEGRADABLE
That which is able to be decomposed by
bacterial action. 2. A physical and/or
chemical structure of a material capable of
being Incorporated into the environmental
processes through the action of
microorganisms. (1)
BlOGASlFlCATlON
a resource recovery process for the
extraction of methane resulting from
anaerobic decomposition of organic material.
(1)
BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)
the quantity of dissolved oxygen needed to
satisfy the metabolic requirements of
microorganisms living in water where there
is a lot of organic material. Industrial
effluents high in organic substances create
a high BOD in the receiving water, thereby
reducing oxygen levels in that water.
BOllLE BILL
a law requiring deposits on beverage containers
(see Container Deposit Legislation).
(7)
BROKER
an individual or group of individuals that
act as an agent or intermediary between
the sellers and buyers of recyclable materials.
(7)
82 Envlronmental Packaging Guidelines
BTU (Brltlsh Thermal Unit)
used as a unit of measure for the amount
of energy a given material contains (e&
energy released as heat during combustion
is measured in Btu's. Technically, one Btu
Is the quantity of heat required to raise the
temperature of one pound of water one
degree Fahrenheit. (7)
BUFFER ZONE
neutral area which acts as a protective
barrier separating two conflicting forces.
An area which acts to minimize the impact
of pollutants on the environment or public
welfare. For example, a buffer zone is
established between a composting facility
and neighboring residents to minimize
odor problems. (7)
BULKING AGENT
a material used to add volume to another
material to make it more porous to air flow.
For example, municipal solid waste may
act as'a bulking agent when mixed with
water treatment sludge. (7)
BULKY WASTE
large items of refuse including, but not
limited to, appliances, furniture, large auto
parts, non-hazardous construction and
demolition materials, trees, branches and
stumps which cannot be handled by normal
solid waste processing, collection and disposal
methods. (7)
BURNING RATE
the quantity of material per unit time
charged to a furnace, or the amount of heat
released during combustion. A rate usually
expressed in pounds of material per
square foot of burning area per hour or in
B.T.U. per square foot of burning area per
hour. (I)
BUY-BACK CENTER
a facility where individuals bring
recyclables in exchange for payment. (7)
CARCINOGEN
any agent- biological, chemical, radioactive,
that causes cancer.
CARDBOARD
term erroneously used by some of the
public as a synonym for paperboard or
corrugated. Not a recognized term in container
materials.