Waste

An example of something that is biodegradable is...

• a leaf in a compost pile

• a plastic milk jug in a landfill

• a styrofoam burger container in a trash can

• All of the above

The average person living in the United States produces

• about 40 pounds of solid waste per day

• about 4 pounds of solid waste per day

• about 400 pounds of solid waste per year

• about 4 pounds of solid waste per month

_____________ is the process of reclaiming raw materials and reusing them to create new products.

• Reducing
• Repurposing
• Recycling
• Composting

When we throw away cellphones, computers, and TVs, this type of waste is called...

• trash

• e-waste

• recycled

• sent to china

What dangerous greenhouse gas is produced in landfills?

• Nitrogen
• Carbon dioxide
• Methane
• Ozone

All of the combined plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is larger than Texas.

• True

• False

Which of the following materials is non-biodegradable?

• plant waste

• paper

• plastic

• yard waste

As rain falls on a landfill it sinks through the solid waste, picking up pesticides, heavy metals and organic compounds. This liquid is called...

• leachate

• methane

• garbage soup

• liners

Landfills are covered with soil every day to reduce the impact of...

• odors and debris blowing away

• methane and leachate

• leachate and groundwater pollution

• surface water and air pollution

Why are non-biodegradable plastics a problem in the environment?

• They do not decompose or break down naturally

• They can cause dead zones

• They are filling up lakes and ponds

• They contain poisons for wildlife