Question 1

Which of the following does NOT contribute to municipal solid waste production?

Accepted Answer

Agriculture does not contribute to municipal solid waste production as it is not a consumer of material goods that would eventually become waste.

Question 2

A good example of source reduction would be:

Accepted Answer

Source reduction refers to reducing the amount of waste generated at the source or point of origin. The lighter weight of aluminum cans today compared to 30 years ago is a good example of source reduction because it reduces the amount of material needed to produce the same amount of product, thus reducing waste at the source. The other choices do not directly relate to source reduction. A involves generating energy from waste, B involves finding uses for discarded products after they have already been generated, D involves controlling pollution from waste incineration, and E involves recycling waste after it has been generated.

Question 3

Which of the following represent potential markets for compost from municipal solid waste composting programs?

Accepted Answer

All of these choices are potential markets for compost produced from municipal solid waste composting programs. Landscapers, greenhouses, golf courses, and farmers can all benefit from using compost as a soil amendment to improve soil structure, fertility, and water retention.

Question 4

A benefit of sanitary landfills over "open dumps" is that:

Accepted Answer

All of these statements are correct. Sanitary landfills are engineered to minimize environmental impact, in contrast to open dumps which are unregulated and do not have the same precautions in place. Clay liners help prevent groundwater pollution by providing a barrier between the landfill and the surrounding soil. Soil cover and other measures help minimize odors and the escape of litter and debris. Systems to collect leachate, the liquid that comes from decomposing waste, help prevent contamination of groundwater and lower the risk of spreading disease by reducing the number of rodents and insects attracted to the site.

Question 5

Which of the following correctly identifies one of the goals of waste prevention?

Accepted Answer

The goal of waste prevention is to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place by promoting the reuse of products, rather than throwing them away and creating more waste. Therefore, increased reuse of products is one of the goals of waste prevention. Choices A, B, C, and E all promote the creation of more waste, which is counter to the goal of waste prevention.

Question 6

All of the following are possible problems associated with incineration EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Incineration is commonly used to produce heat to generate electricity, so it is not a problem associated with incineration. However, the other options (B, C, D, and E) are all potential problems associated with incineration.

Question 7

One of the problems associated with sanitary landfills is:

Accepted Answer

One of the problems associated with sanitary landfills is the possibility of a methane gas explosion. Methane gas is produced by the decomposition of organic matter in the landfill, and if it is not properly managed, it can accumulate in the landfill and be ignited by a spark or flame, causing an explosion. This can pose a safety risk to workers and nearby communities.

Question 8

A significant problem with waste incineration is that:

Accepted Answer

Heavy metals in the fly ash from waste incineration processes are concentrated and toxic, requiring disposal in a hazardous waste landfill to prevent environmental contamination. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect statements regarding waste incineration.

Question 9

What factors should be considered to make an "ideal" sanitary landfill?

Accepted Answer

All of the factors listed (geology, proximity to nearby surface and ground water, proximity to population centers, and transportation costs) should be considered when designing an "ideal" sanitary landfill.

Question 10

Which of the following acts contains provisions that attempt to reduce the amount of pollution at the point of origin, rather than mitigating the damage caused by the production and release of pollutants into the environment?

Accepted Answer

The Pollution Prevention Act focuses on reducing the amount of pollution generated at the source, rather than just cleaning up or mitigating the damage caused by pollutants after they are released into the environment. The other options focus on cleanup and remediation efforts after pollution has already occurred.

Question 11

Every ton of recycled paper saves approximately:

Accepted Answer

Every ton of recycled paper saves approximately 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water, 4100 kilowatt-hours of energy, and 3 cubic yards of landfill space. Therefore, all of the choices are correct.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about landfills is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Most sanitary landfills in operation today may not meet the current standards for new landfills, as regulations and standards have evolved over time.

Question 13

Organic waste can be converted into valuable soil conditioners through the process of:

Accepted Answer

Organic waste can be converted into valuable soil conditioners through the process of composting. Composting is the process of decomposing and breaking down organic materials, such as food waste and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to enhance soil quality, plant growth, and crop yield. Composting is a natural, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to recycle and reuse organic waste.

Question 14

Tires are a problem in sanitary landfills because they:

Accepted Answer

Tires collect water and provide a good breeding place for mosquitoes, which can increase disease transmission. While tires can be melted and reused for new tires, this process is not commonly done in most landfills. Tires also do not degrade quickly and are not the largest component of municipal solid waste.

Question 15

Over half of the solid waste produced in the United States is disposed of:

Accepted Answer

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2018, 54.2% of the solid waste produced in the United States was disposed of in sanitary landfills. This is the most common method of solid waste disposal in the country. Composting, incineration, open air dumps, and recycling make up the remaining percentages of solid waste disposal.

Question 16

The largest single component of municipal solid waste in the United States is:

Accepted Answer

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, paper products make up the largest single component of municipal solid waste in the United States at 25%. Plastic is the second largest component at 18%.

Question 17

The three largest producers of solid waste in the United States are:

Accepted Answer

The three largest producers of solid waste in the United States are agriculture, industry, and mining. Agriculture generates waste in the form of livestock manure, crop residues, and packaging materials. Industry produces waste from manufacturing processes, including scrap materials and by-products. Mining operations generate waste rock, tailings, and other materials as a result of extracting minerals from the earth.

Question 18

Which of the following should NOT be recycled?

Accepted Answer

Food scraps should not be recycled as they can contaminate other recyclables and cause odor issues. Instead, they can be composted.

Question 19

Which of the following statements does NOT explain why there are fewer sanitary landfills today than 20 years ago?

Accepted Answer

This statement provides a reason for why fewer landfills are needed today, but it does not explain why there are fewer landfills overall.

Question 20

The materials in municipal solid waste that are best for incineration are:

Accepted Answer

Paper, plastics, and rubber are the most common materials in municipal solid waste that are best for incineration because they have a high calorific value and can produce a large amount of energy when burned. Food waste and yard waste are not typically incinerated due to the high moisture content, while glass has a high melting point and is not a good candidate for incineration.

Quiz 23: Solid and Hazardous Waste