Workshop on Post-Disaster Materials and Environmental Management

University Of Illinois At Chicago, Chicago IL

Investigators

Abstract

This workshop will bring together experts from academia and public and private institutions from across the United States to identify critical research questions and needs with respect to the management and environmental impacts of the large quantities and wide varieties of debris and waste generated by disasters such as hurricanes and floods. The occurrence, magnitude, and particularly damage and destruction from disasters have been increasing due to increase in number and frequency of extreme weather events, controlled and uncontrolled urbanization, deforestation, soil erosion, inadequate and aging infrastructure, and significant alterations to the natural environment. The workshop will for the first time bring together a critical mass of experts to identify major research needs related to the complex issues of management and environmental impacts of post-disaster materials in a systematic manner. The topics that will be included in the workshop are: (1) potential pre- and post- disaster actions to mitigate the environmental impacts of post-disaster materials, (2) moving and transfer of debris and waste, (3) recovery, recycling, and reuse of post-disaster materials, (4) waste-to-energy conversion and extracting energy from debris and waste, (5) mining of debris and waste, (6) optimal systems and infrastructure for disposal, (7) new and innovative uses for debris and waste, and (8) broader environmental and health impacts of these materials including large-scale contamination, adverse climate impacts, and public health effects. Disaster debris and waste potentially generate public health and environmental problems; however, these wide-variety and large-quantity of wastes also include materials with high potential for recycling/upcycling, beneficial reuse, and conversion to energy replacing raw and natural material resources. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.