Question 1

Which category most accurately describes waste such as food wastes, cardboard, cans, bottles, yard wastes, furniture, plastics, metal, glass, and e-waste?

Accepted Answer

Municipal solid waste includes food waste, cardboard, cans, bottles, yard waste, furniture, plastics, metal, glass, and e-waste, all of which are generated by households and commercial establishments within a municipality.

Question 2

E-waste is a source of which of the following pollutants of air and water?

Accepted Answer

E-waste contains PVC, which can release dioxins and other toxic chemicals into the air and water. While e-waste can also contain other pollutants like atrazine, DDT, and arsenic, these are not direct products of e-waste itself.

Question 3

Which of the following choices describe an input approach to the problem of waste production?

Accepted Answer

E

Question 4

The banning of TV set and computer disposal in landfills by 35 states in the U.S. a.is expected to

Accepted Answer

The banning of TV set and computer disposal in landfills by 35 states in the U.S. would create a need for proper e-waste disposal, which would set the stage for an emerging highly profitable e-recycling industry. This option aligns with the principles of sustainability and responsible waste management. The other options are not necessarily accurate.

Question 5

You have decided on a major course of study. a.Your major courses require that you analyze the content and characteristics of material that you have extracted in core samples from the local landfill. Your course of study is called

Accepted Answer

The course of study described involves analyzing the content and characteristics of material from a landfill, which falls under the field of garbology. Dumpster diving and wastology are not recognized majors or fields of study, while geology is a separate field of study that does not specifically focus on analyzing landfill samples.

Question 6

An integrated waste management approach for industrial enterprises

Accepted Answer

An integrated waste management approach for industrial enterprises should aim to eliminate unnecessary packaging, as reducing waste is one of the key objectives of such an approach. Choices B, C, and D go against this objective by promoting wasteful practices such as frequent replacement, using more material, and planned obsolescence.

Question 7

Garbage produced directly by households and businesses accounts for ____ of the solid waste produced in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Garbage produced directly by households and businesses...

Question 8

Hazardous or toxic waste is waste that

Accepted Answer

Hazardous or toxic waste is waste that poses a threat to human health or the environment, is dangerously corrosive, and/or dangerously chemically reactive. Therefore, it is accurately described by all of the options listed in the question.

Question 9

Which is the most advanced approach?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the amount of materials used is the most advanced approach as it directly minimizes resource consumption and waste generation, addressing the root cause of environmental impact.

Question 10

What event occurred in 2009 that caused an estimated 100 million television sets to be added to the already large amount of electronic waste generated in the United States?

Accepted Answer

In 2009, the United States shifted from analog to digital television broadcasting, which required households to upgrade their TV sets or purchase a converter box. This led to an estimated 100 million television sets becoming electronic waste, contributing to the already large amount of e-waste generated in the country.

Question 11

At the checkout counter, an environmentalist is most likely to say

Accepted Answer

Bringing a reusable bag is the most environmentally friendly option as it avoids the use of single-use plastic or paper bags.

Question 12

Critics of recycling are most likely to claim:

Accepted Answer

Critics of recycling may argue that it doesn't make economic sense to recycle if the cost of the process is higher than simply disposing of waste in a landfill or incinerator.

Question 13

In an integrated waste management approach, which of the following strategies should be given top priority?

Accepted Answer

In an integrated waste management approach, reducing the amount of waste produced in the first place should be the top priority, as it is the most effective way of minimizing the environmental impact and resource consumption associated with waste management. This can include reducing packaging, using durable or sustainable materials, and implementing sustainable production and consumption practices.

Question 14

The International Basel Convention bans the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to developing countries. a.The United States

Accepted Answer

The statement in the question is false. The United States is one of the industrialized nations that has not ratified the Basel Convention.

Question 15

Of the following materials, the most expensive to recycle is

Accepted Answer

Plastic is the most expensive material to recycle because it requires more energy and resources to break down and recycle compared to other materials. Additionally, some types of plastic cannot be recycled at all, further adding to the cost.

Question 16

Source separation differs from materials-recovery facilities in all but which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Source separation differs from materials-recovery facilities in that it provides more jobs per unit of material recycled. The other options are all advantages of source separation over materials-recovery facilities.

Question 17

Obstacles to recycling include

Accepted Answer

All of these answers are obstacles to recycling. The lack of inclusion of environmental costs in market prices leads to virgin materials being cheaper than recycled materials. Tax breaks for mining virgin materials incentivize companies to continue using virgin materials rather than investing in recycling programs. The lack of large, steady markets for recycled materials makes it difficult for recyclers to sell their products at a competitive price.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is false?

Accepted Answer

Materials-recovery facilities do not provide many more jobs than source separation recycling. In fact, source separation recycling can provide job opportunities for individuals who sort and process the recycled materials.

Question 19

Which of the following are types of waste that a homeowner can recycle in their backyard as part of a composting project?

Accepted Answer

Hedge trimmings, food scraps, and grass clippings are all organic materials that can be composted in a backyard. However, discarded paints and stains should not be added to a compost pile as they can be toxic and harmful to the environment.

Question 20

The top three U.S. a.producers of hazardous waste, in order, are

Accepted Answer

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the top three U.S. producers of hazardous waste are the military, the chemical industry, and the mining industry. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer. While other industries may also produce hazardous waste, they do not rank as high as these three industries in terms of quantity and impact on the environment.

Quiz 16: Solid and Hazardous Waste