Waste Reduction Methods (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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How do preventative waste strategies differ from restorative approaches?
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How do preventative waste strategies differ from restorative approaches?
Preventative strategies reduce waste generation and control pollution before it happens, while restorative approaches clean up waste and repair damage afterward.
Define green procurement.
Green procurement is buying goods and services with a minimal environmental impact, such as products made from recycled materials or that can be recycled easily.
True or False?
Recycling is the most effective preventative waste strategy.
False.
The most effective preventative strategy is to consume fewer products, so less waste is produced in the first place.
What are the 3Rs of waste management?
The 3Rs are reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Give two environmental benefits of recycling.
Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and lowers the greenhouse gas emissions linked to producing new materials.
Give one drawback of recycling.
Recycling needs new collecting and processing infrastructure, which adds to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, and some materials are difficult or costly to recycle.
Define composting.
Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich soil.
How does composting lower methane emissions?
Composting keeps organic matter out of landfills, where it would otherwise produce methane.
True or False?
Composting can process any type of household waste.
False.
Composting can only handle biodegradable materials; plastics, metals, and glass must be removed first.
Give two disadvantages of composting.
Poorly managed compost piles can produce foul odors and attract pests and vermin, and composting takes time, effort, and knowledge to manage well.
Why is dumping electronics in landfills harmful?
Dumped electronics can release toxic substances such as lead or mercury into the soil and water.
Why did e-waste increase in the five years to 2019?
E-waste increased because of higher demand, shorter product lifecycles, and limited repair options.
How can a consumer reduce e-waste before buying new electronics?
A consumer can postpone upgrades as long as possible and consider the product's lifecycle and repair options before buying.
Old electronics should be recycled by taking them to a dedicated recycling facility.
Old electronics should be recycled by taking them to a dedicated e-waste recycling facility.
Define waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration.
Waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration is burning waste to generate electricity or heat, which reduces landfill volume and methane emissions.
Give one disadvantage of WTE incineration.
WTE incinerators emit air pollutants, dioxins, heavy metals, and fine particulate matter, and removing the toxic ash adds costs.
Define landfill diversion.
Landfill diversion is keeping waste out of landfills by increasing recycling and composting, which reduces the need for landfill expansion.
True or False?
Capping a full landfill with soil, clay, and plastic liners reduces the risk of groundwater contamination.
True.
The cap prevents leaks, reducing the risk of leachate reaching groundwater and making the land safer for later use.
Give two benefits of turning a former landfill into a park.
Converting landfills into green spaces increases urban biodiversity, provides recreational space, and improves air quality through tree planting, as at Freshkills Park in New York.
Why is fast fashion a major source of landfill waste?
Fast fashion treats clothes as disposable, and most clothing does not biodegrade, making unwanted clothing one of the largest contributors to landfills.
Give two benefits of capturing landfill methane to generate electricity.
Gas-to-energy lowers greenhouse gas emissions and provides a renewable energy source for homes and industries.
Define extended producer responsibility (EPR).
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is regulation that holds manufacturers and producers responsible for product waste from raw material extraction to disposal.
Under policies, households are charged on the amount of waste they generate.
Under pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) policies, households are charged on the amount of waste they generate.
What do zero waste policies aim to achieve?
Zero waste policies aim to reduce the waste sent to landfills to zero by reducing, reusing, and recycling, as in San Francisco's Zero Waste Initiative.
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