Solid Waste

1. What is the average amount of trash a single person produces daily?

• 10 kg

• 2 kg

• 1 kg

• 5 kg

What is the main problem with open dumps that led to their ban in the 1970s?

• They were too expensive to manage

• They produced too much ash

• They required too much space

• They caused chemicals to leach into soil and water

Which of the following materials takes the longest to decompose?

• Glass

• Food scraps

• Plastic bottles

• Paper

What percentage of waste in the U.S. is currently burned (incinerated)?

• 17%

• 27%

• 37%

• 56%

What feature in modern landfills helps prevent chemicals from leaking into the soil?

• Incineration system

• Recycling bins

• Clay layers

• Compost pits

What is a major disadvantage of incinerating waste?

• It takes up too much space

• It is not energy-efficient

• It produces air pollution and ash

• It pollutes groundwater

Which material can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality?

• Glass

• Paper

• Metal

• Plastic

What happens to paper during the recycling process?

• It becomes more expensive to produce

• It becomes stronger after every cycle

• It gets washed with chemicals to remove ink

• It turns directly into compost

What does the term “biodegradable” mean?

• A material that requires clay for filtration

• A material that can only be recycled once

• A material that can be broken down naturally by bacteria

• A material that can burn without pollution

Why is recycling metal beneficial for the environment?

• It reduces the need for mining new metal ores

• It makes products easier to decompose

• It reduces water pollution

• It prevents the creation of plastic products