Bin Quiz

1. What is the primary purpose of a wheelie bin?

• Composting organic waste

• Storing recyclable materials

• Disposing of general household waste

• Collecting rainwater

Answer explanation

Wheelie bins are designed to be mobile and are commonly used by local councils in the UK to collect non-recyclable household waste. They were first introduced in the 1970s in Australia and have since become a standard feature in waste management practices worldwide.

Which of these materials is commonly not allowed in paper recycling bins?

• Newspapers

• Pizza boxes

• Magazines

• Office paper

Answer explanation

Pizza boxes are often contaminated with grease, which can disrupt the recycling process.

What does the symbol with three arrows in a triangle on a bin indicate?

• Landfill

• Recyclable materials

• Hazardous waste

• Compost

Answer explanation

The Mobius loop is the universal recycling symbol indicating recyclable materials.

It is an internationally recognized symbol for recycling. The symbol originated on the first Earth Day in 1970, created by Gary Anderson, then a 23-year-old student for the Container Corporation of America. The symbol is not trademarked and is in the public domain.

Which of these items is typically not accepted in standard curbside recycling bins?

• Plastic bottles

• Cardboard boxes

• Aluminum cans

• Used batteries

Answer explanation

Batteries need to be disposed of at special collection points due to their hazardous materials.

What feature distinguishes a 'clinical waste bin' from other bins?

• Colour-coded lids

• Lockable lids

• Special labeling for biohazard

• Foot pedals

Answer explanation

Clinical waste bins have special labeling to indicate the presence of biohazardous materials.

What is a 'bin lorry' commonly referred to in American English?

• Garbage truck

• Trash cart

• Waste cart

• Rubbish truck

Answer explanation

In the UK, it's called a 'bin lorry,' while in the US, it's a 'garbage truck.'

In what year did the first recorded use of a garbage bin occur?

• 1875

• 1920

• 1950

• 1884

Answer explanation

The garbage bin was introduced by Eugène Poubelle, a French lawyer, for cleaner cities.

'Twin-bin' systems are used to separate which types of waste?

• Recyclable and non-recyclable

• Organic and inorganic

• Hazardous and non-hazardous

• Wet and dry

Answer explanation

Twin-bin systems help households separate recyclable materials from general waste.

What feature is essential for a bin used for hazardous waste?

• Wheels

• Lid with a lock

• Pedal-operated lid

• Compartments

Answer explanation

Bins for hazardous waste often have lockable lids to prevent unauthorized access and contamination.

Which of the following is not a common component of a compost bin?

• Plastic liner

• Ventalation holes

• Lid

• Base plate

Answer explanation

Compost bins usually do not have plastic liners as they can impede the composting process.