Question 1

Using sunflowers to naturally remove lead from contaminated topsoil is an example of which process?

Accepted Answer

A)  bioreaction 
B)  remediation 
C)  isolation 
D)  containment 
A)  bioreaction 
B)  remediation 
C)  isolation 
D)  containment B

Question 2

Why does the per-capita generation curve level off between 1990 and 2010?

Accepted Answer

A)  The overall number of households that produce garbage has decreased. 
B)  The upstream waste generated before the products reach consumers has decreased 
C)  The participation in household recycling and composting efforts has expanded. 
D)  The quantity and capacity of sanitary landfills has steadily increased. 
A)  The overall number of households that produce garbage has decreased. 
B)  The upstream waste generated before the products reach consumers has decreased 
C)  The participation in household recycling and composting efforts has expanded. 
D)  The quantity and capacity of sanitary landfills has steadily increased. C

Question 3

Briefly explain how waste-to-energy incinerators work. Describe the benefits and impacts of this waste management strategy.

Accepted Answer

Waste-to-energy incinerators work by using the heat generated from trash combustion to produce steam that turns turbines to make electricity. Benefits of this strategy are electricity production and reduction of solid waste volume. Impacts include emissions and residual ash that contain carbon dioxide, heavy metals, and other harmful compounds such as dioxins.

Question 4

Select the example of an isolation waste management strategy.

Accepted Answer

A)  geologic disposal 
B)  sanitary landfills 
C)  containment buildings 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  geologic disposal 
B)  sanitary landfills 
C)  containment buildings 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 5

Municipal solid waste specifically refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the waste from households and businesses. 
B)  the waste created from electronic devices. 
C)  all unprocessed material that is incinerated. 
D)  garbage that remains after primary recycling. 
A)  the waste from households and businesses. 
B)  the waste created from electronic devices. 
C)  all unprocessed material that is incinerated. 
D)  garbage that remains after primary recycling.

Question 6

Recycled aluminum consumes 	less energy than does producing new aluminum from mined bauxite ore.

Accepted Answer

A)  95% 
B)  70% 
C)  50% 
D)  25% 
A)  95% 
B)  70% 
C)  50% 
D)  25%

Question 7

A life-cycle assessment of a product accounts for the environmental impact from which of these steps?

Accepted Answer

A)  making and distributing the product 
B)  using the product 
C)  disposing of the product 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  making and distributing the product 
B)  using the product 
C)  disposing of the product 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 8

The bioreactor landfill strategy

Accepted Answer

A)  injects water and air through horizontal wells or trenches. 
B)  accelerates waste decomposition by as much as 50%. 
C)  aerates the waste to significantly reduce methane production. 
D)  All of these are correct. 
A)  injects water and air through horizontal wells or trenches. 
B)  accelerates waste decomposition by as much as 50%. 
C)  aerates the waste to significantly reduce methane production. 
D)  All of these are correct.

Question 9

A waste-to-energy facility

Accepted Answer

A)  uses the heat produced by incineration to power a steam turbine that generates electricity. 
B)  filters out the methane gas from a sanitary landfill and burns it to produce electricity. 
C)  separates landfill gases from the leachate and converts those gases into vehicle fuels. 
D)  injects liquid wastes underground at high pressure to facilitate oil and gas extraction. 
A)  uses the heat produced by incineration to power a steam turbine that generates electricity. 
B)  filters out the methane gas from a sanitary landfill and burns it to produce electricity. 
C)  separates landfill gases from the leachate and converts those gases into vehicle fuels. 
D)  injects liquid wastes underground at high pressure to facilitate oil and gas extraction.

Question 10

Select the waste management technique in which waste piles are left uncovered and freely accessible to residents and trash collectors.

Accepted Answer

A)  open dumping 
B)  sanitary landfill 
C)  geologic disposal 
D)  bioreactor landfill 
A)  open dumping 
B)  sanitary landfill 
C)  geologic disposal 
D)  bioreactor landfill

Question 11

What do producer responsibility laws require for manufacturers of products and packaging?

Accepted Answer

A)  to assume responsibility for collection, recycling, reuse, or disposal 
B)  to be responsible for the waste generated at the site of production 
C)  to transition from petroleum-based plastics to biodegradable plastics 
D)  to eliminate the practice of exporting waste to developing countries 
A)  to assume responsibility for collection, recycling, reuse, or disposal 
B)  to be responsible for the waste generated at the site of production 
C)  to transition from petroleum-based plastics to biodegradable plastics 
D)  to eliminate the practice of exporting waste to developing countries

Question 12

What is the goal of the isolation management strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)  the removal of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates 
B)  the conversion of waste into something useful, most often electricity 
C)  the segregation of waste from significant contact with humans 
D)  the treatment of contaminated sites with microorganisms and enzymes 
A)  the removal of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates 
B)  the conversion of waste into something useful, most often electricity 
C)  the segregation of waste from significant contact with humans 
D)  the treatment of contaminated sites with microorganisms and enzymes

Question 13

The MOST fundamental way to address the problems associated with waste is to

Accepted Answer

A)  increase recycling, the use of waste to make new products. 
B)  incinerate waste instead of landfilling in order to reduce volume. 
C)  reduce consumption of goods and resources. 
D)  require manufacturers to reduce the amount of packaging. 
A)  increase recycling, the use of waste to make new products. 
B)  incinerate waste instead of landfilling in order to reduce volume. 
C)  reduce consumption of goods and resources. 
D)  require manufacturers to reduce the amount of packaging.

Question 14

The average American throws out about 		pounds of municipal solid waste each day.

Accepted Answer

A)  4.5 
B)  3.0 
C)  2.0 
D) 0.5 
A)  4.5 
B)  3.0 
C)  2.0 
D) 0.5

Question 15

Which phrase correctly describes the category of solid waste?

Accepted Answer

A)  includes all of the discarded material from all parts of the waste stream 
B)  only includes the "downstream" waste at the end of the waste stream 
C)  includes solid and semisolid materials but not liquids or gaseous wastes 
D)  None of these are correct. 
A)  includes all of the discarded material from all parts of the waste stream 
B)  only includes the "downstream" waste at the end of the waste stream 
C)  includes solid and semisolid materials but not liquids or gaseous wastes 
D)  None of these are correct.

Question 16

One aspect of our society and culture that drives consumption is the purchasing of material goods for holiday gifts. Consider how alternative gifts, such as tickets to a play or a voucher for a massage, reduce waste. Make a list of at least five potential alternative gifts that you could give to friends and family that emphasize "experiences" rather than commercially produced "stuff" that accumulates.

Accepted Answer

Student answers will vary but could incl

Question 17

How does the design for the recovery process facilitate efficient recycling?

Accepted Answer

A)  The process streamlines the procedures for sorting the waste at central processing facilities. 
B)  The process sets standards for how recyclable materials should be collected in communities. 
C)  The process establishes guidelines to standardize the manufacture of materials and products. 
D)  The process assigns plastic resin codes to educate consumers about how to recycle plastics. 
A)  The process streamlines the procedures for sorting the waste at central processing facilities. 
B)  The process sets standards for how recyclable materials should be collected in communities. 
C)  The process establishes guidelines to standardize the manufacture of materials and products. 
D)  The process assigns plastic resin codes to educate consumers about how to recycle plastics.

Question 18

Which term treats waste as "resources" for new products?

Accepted Answer

A)  recycling 
B)  reusing 
C)  reducing 
D)  None of these are correct. 
A)  recycling 
B)  reusing 
C)  reducing 
D)  None of these are correct.

Question 19

Describe the environmental advantages of recycling as a waste diversion strategy compared to incineration and landfilling of waste.

Accepted Answer

Recycling diverts waste from disposal in

Question 20

Select the waste management strategy that isolates the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants while also allowing for constant monitoring and future retrieval of the waste.

Accepted Answer

A)  geologic disposal 
B)  sanitary landfill 
C)  containment building 
D)  bioreactor landfill 
A)  geologic disposal 
B)  sanitary landfill 
C)  containment building 
D)  bioreactor landfill

Using sunflowers to naturally remove lead from contaminated topsoil is an example of which process?

Why does the per-capita generation curve level off between 1990 and 2010?

Briefly explain how waste-to-energy incinerators work. Describe the benefits and impacts of this waste management strategy.

Select the example of an isolation waste management strategy.

Municipal solid waste specifically refers to

Recycled aluminum consumes less energy than does producing new aluminum from mined bauxite ore.

A life-cycle assessment of a product accounts for the environmental impact from which of these steps?

The bioreactor landfill strategy

A waste-to-energy facility

Select the waste management technique in which waste piles are left uncovered and freely accessible to residents and trash collectors.

What do producer responsibility laws require for manufacturers of products and packaging?

What is the goal of the isolation management strategy?

The MOST fundamental way to address the problems associated with waste is to

The average American throws out about pounds of municipal solid waste each day.

Which phrase correctly describes the category of solid waste?

How does the design for the recovery process facilitate efficient recycling?

Which term treats waste as "resources" for new products?

Describe the environmental advantages of recycling as a waste diversion strategy compared to incineration and landfilling of waste.

Select the waste management strategy that isolates the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants while also allowing for constant monitoring and future retrieval of the waste.

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Climate: How Does Global Climate Change

Food: How Do We Feed Ourselves

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

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Exam 15: Waste: What Happens to All the Stuff We Use

Using sunflowers to naturally remove lead from contaminated topsoil is an example of which process?

Why does the per-capita generation curve level off between 1990 and 2010?

Briefly explain how waste-to-energy incinerators work. Describe the benefits and impacts of this waste management strategy.

Select the example of an isolation waste management strategy.

Municipal solid waste specifically refers to

Recycled aluminum consumes less energy than does producing new aluminum from mined bauxite ore.

A life-cycle assessment of a product accounts for the environmental impact from which of these steps?

The bioreactor landfill strategy

A waste-to-energy facility

Select the waste management technique in which waste piles are left uncovered and freely accessible to residents and trash collectors.

What do producer responsibility laws require for manufacturers of products and packaging?

What is the goal of the isolation management strategy?

The MOST fundamental way to address the problems associated with waste is to

The average American throws out about pounds of municipal solid waste each day.

Which phrase correctly describes the category of solid waste?

How does the design for the recovery process facilitate efficient recycling?

Which term treats waste as "resources" for new products?

Describe the environmental advantages of recycling as a waste diversion strategy compared to incineration and landfilling of waste.

Select the waste management strategy that isolates the radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants while also allowing for constant monitoring and future retrieval of the waste.

Environmental Science and Sustainability: Whats the Big Idea

Ethics, Economics, and Policy: Who or What Do We Value

Matter and Energy: What Are the Building Blocks of Sustainability

Life: What Shapes Biodiversity

Conservation: Why Is It Important to Protect Biodiversity

Human Population: Can We Have Too Many People

Water: How Do We Use It and Affect Its Quality

Air: What Are We Breathing

Land: How Does It Shape Us

Systems and Cycles: Are We Changing Earths Life Support System

Climate: How Does Global Climate Change

Food: How Do We Feed Ourselves

Fossil Fuels: Energy of the Industrial Age

Energy Alternatives: How Are Our Energy Decisions Changing

Urbanization: Why Are Cities Growing

Environmental Health and Justice: How Does Our Environment Affect Our Health

Decision Making: Why Do Our Choices Matter

Groups and Organizations: How Do We Work Together for Sustainability

Government: How Can Policy Influence Sustainability

Filters