7.3 Solid Waste (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL): Flashcards
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Define solid domestic waste (SDW).
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Cards in this collection (51)
Define solid domestic waste (SDW).
Solid domestic waste (SDW) is the non-liquid waste produced in homes.
Define industrial waste.
Industrial waste is waste produced by factories and industries, such as chemicals, metals and manufacturing by-products.
Which type of waste is produced by farming activities such as animal manure, crop residues and chemical containers?
Agricultural waste is produced by farming activities such as animal manure, crop residues and chemical containers.
Define e-waste.
E-waste is electronic waste, such as old computers, mobile phones and televisions, that contains toxic materials like lead and mercury.
According to UK 2020 estimates, which category made up the largest proportion of solid domestic waste?
Garden waste made up the largest proportion of UK solid domestic waste in 2020, at around 25%.
True or False?
Biohazardous waste is the same as industrial waste.
False.
Biohazardous waste is dangerous waste from hospitals or laboratories, such as needles and blood products, not general factory waste.
Wealthier societies tend to generate waste due to higher consumption levels and single-use products.
Wealthier societies tend to generate more waste due to higher consumption levels and single-use products.
Whose ban on single-use plastics has reduced plastic waste in its member countries?
The European Union's ban on single-use plastics has reduced plastic waste in its member countries.
True or False?
Lower-income countries always produce more waste per person than higher-income countries.
False.
Lower-income countries often produce less waste per person, but they typically have less capacity to manage it properly.
What can cause a sudden spike in construction and debris waste?
A natural disaster, such as a powerful hurricane, can cause a spike in construction and debris waste during rebuilding efforts.
Common components of solid domestic waste include paper, cardboard, glass, metal and .
Common components of solid domestic waste include paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastics.
Define food waste.
Food waste is edible food that is discarded, often due to over-purchasing or spoilage.
Define pollution.
Pollution occurs when harmful substances are added to an environment at a rate faster than they can be transformed into harmless substances.
Define environmental injustice.
Environmental injustice occurs when the negative impacts of waste are disproportionately experienced by poorer countries.
Which international treaty, introduced by UNEP in 1992, regulates the movement of hazardous waste between countries?
The Basel Convention, introduced by UNEP in 1992, regulates the movement of hazardous waste between countries.
Define biodegradability.
Biodegradability is how quickly natural processes can break down a substance into harmless components.
Which named e-waste dump in Ghana has polluted local water sources and destroyed natural land?
The Agbogbloshie e-waste dump in Ghana has polluted local water sources and destroyed natural land.
True or False?
Decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane.
True.
Decomposing organic waste in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Define the half-life of a pollutant.
The half-life of a pollutant is the time it takes for half of the substance to decay or break down.
Wetlands such as salt marshes and mangroves absorb nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants, acting as natural .
Wetlands such as salt marshes and mangroves absorb nitrogen, phosphorus and other pollutants, acting as natural filters.
Approximately how long is the half-life of the pesticide DDT?
DDT has a half-life of around 15 years.
True or False?
Plastic and glass are biodegradable materials.
False.
Plastic and glass are non-biodegradable and can remain in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years.
Which process do forests use to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen?
Forests use photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen.
Exposure to e-waste and biohazardous materials can cause health issues such as respiratory diseases, skin infections and .
Exposure to e-waste and biohazardous materials can cause health issues such as respiratory diseases, skin infections and cancers.
What can decrease for communities living near landfills or waste processing plants?
Quality of life can decrease for communities near landfills, due to bad smells, noise and contamination of local water and soil.
Define incineration.
Incineration is the burning of waste materials at high temperatures to reduce their volume.
Define waste-to-energy (WtE).
Waste-to-energy (WtE) plants burn waste to generate electricity or heat.
Define composting.
Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
What gas do landfills produce that is a potent greenhouse gas?
Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
What toxic by-product of incineration requires careful disposal?
Incineration produces toxic ash that requires careful disposal.
True or False?
Waste-to-energy eliminates the need for waste reduction and recycling.
False.
Waste-to-energy still encourages waste generation instead of focusing on reduction and recycling.
Why can exporting waste to low-income countries raise ethical concerns?
Exporting waste to low-income countries may cause environmental and social harm there, raising concerns of environmental injustice.
Recycling typically uses energy than producing new materials.
Recycling typically uses less energy than producing new materials.
True or False?
Composting can handle all types of waste, including plastics and metals.
False.
Composting is limited to organic, biodegradable materials.
How can engineered landfills reduce their environmental impact?
Engineered landfills can use liners and leachate collection systems to reduce environmental impact.
Why do communities often oppose incinerators being built nearby?
Communities often oppose incinerators due to health and environmental concerns.
Contaminated recyclables can reduce the of the recycling process.
Contaminated recyclables can reduce the efficiency of the recycling process.
What environmental cost results from shipping waste long distances to other countries?
Shipping waste long distances increases carbon emissions.
Define preventative strategies in waste management.
Preventative strategies focus on reducing waste generation and controlling pollution before it happens.
Define restorative strategies in waste management.
Restorative strategies focus on cleaning up waste and repairing environmental damage already caused.
Define a circular economy.
A circular economy is a sustainable approach to managing resources and waste that keeps materials in use for as long as possible, minimises waste and recovers resources at the end of a product's life.
Define pay-as-you-throw (PAYT).
Pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) is a waste scheme where residents are charged based on the amount of waste they produce.
Which strategy type is generally more sustainable, preventative or restorative?
Preventative strategies are generally more sustainable, as they stop the problem before it happens and require less energy and resources.
True or False?
Restorative strategies usually require less money, time and effort than preventative strategies.
False.
Restorative strategies usually require large amounts of money, time and effort, and the damage often cannot be fully undone.
What is an example of a restorative strategy aimed at removing plastic waste from the ocean?
Clean-up efforts targeting the Great Pacific Garbage Patch are an example of a restorative strategy.
UK plastic bag taxes have reduced single-use plastic consumption by over % since 2015.
UK plastic bag taxes have reduced single-use plastic consumption by over 90% since 2015.
Which EU directive sets guidelines for recycling and waste reduction?
The European Union's Waste Framework Directive sets guidelines for recycling and waste reduction.
True or False?
In a circular economy, products are made, used and then discarded.
False.
That describes a linear economy; a circular economy keeps materials in use and recovers resources instead.
What financial scheme gives consumers an incentive to return bottles and cans for recycling?
Deposit-return schemes give consumers a financial incentive to return bottles and cans for recycling.
The waste management hierarchy ranks strategies, from most to least preferred, as reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and .
The waste management hierarchy ranks strategies, from most to least preferred, as reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and dispose.
What is one example of landfill reclamation as a restorative strategy?
Some landfills are reclaimed by removing waste and turning the land into parks or other usable spaces.
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