Solid Waste Management Quiz

What is solid waste?

• A liquid material that is discarded

• A gas that is emitted from industrial processes

• Any discarded material that is not a liquid or gas

• Only waste generated from domestic activities

Where is solid waste most often disposed of?

• In rivers

• In landfills

• In forests

• In the ocean

What can landfills contaminate when not managed properly?

• The ozone layer

• Groundwater

• The air in urban areas

• Soil in remote areas

What does electronic waste, or e-waste, consist of?

• Discarded paper and cardboard

• Discarded plastic bottles and bags

• Discarded electronic devices including televisions, cell phones, and computers

• Discarded food waste

What are the components of a sanitary municipal landfill?

• A bottom liner, a storm water collection system, a leachate collection system, a cap, and a methane collection system

• A recycling system, a composting facility, and a waste-to-energy plant

• A series of incinerators and a water treatment facility

• A waste sorting facility and a series of wind turbines

What factors are important in landfill decomposition?

• The age of the trash and sunlight exposure

• The composition of the trash and conditions needed for microbial decomposition

• The location of the landfill and the type of machinery used

• The size of the landfill and frequency of waste addition

What is a consequence of disposing of solid waste through incineration?

• It increases the volume of solid waste

• It releases air pollutants

• It eliminates all toxins in the waste

• It recycles the waste into new products

Why might used rubber tires be problematic when disposed of improperly?

• They can be used to make new products

• They can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can spread disease

• They decompose quickly and release nutrients into the soil

• They attract wildlife which helps in the decomposition process

What environmental issue is caused by dumping waste in the ocean?

• Creation of underwater habitats for marine life

• Reduction in the volume of waste on land

• Formation of large floating islands of trash in the oceans

• Improvement of water quality due to waste decomposition

What is a risk to wildlife from waste dumped in the ocean?

• Wildlife can become educated about human waste

• Wildlife can safely use the waste as shelter

• Wildlife can become entangled in the waste and ingest it

• Wildlife can help in breaking down the waste naturally