Disposal of Solid Waste

Disposal of Solid Waste

Chapter 23

1.  Read the introductory article on pages 543-544.

a.  Explain 2 reasons why throwing away computers is not the best solution.

b.  Give 3 solutions for “recycling” old computers.

2.  Facts to know:

a.  Which country generates the most solid waste per capita?

b.  Which country is second in generating the most solid waste per capita?

c.  Every man, woman, and child in the U.S. produces an average of ______pounds of solid waste per day.

d.  That corresponds to a total of ______tons of solid waste in the year 2000.

3.  Distinguish between municipal solid waste (MSW) and non-municipal solid waste. Give examples of each.

4.  Which of the two types of solid waste in question #5 is generated most?

5.  Identify 4 ways to dispose of solid waste.

6.  List AND describe 4 problems that open dumps have that sanitary landfills do not have to the same extent.

7.  What is leachate?

8.  Describe a sanitary landfill.(What does it look like, what is it made of, etc)

9.  What happens to the waste in a state that has more solid waste than it can handle?

10.  List 5 factors that determine the location of an “ideal” sanitary landfill.

11.  List AND explain four problems with sanitary landfills.

12.  What is NIMBY???

13.  How long does a sanitary landfill have to be monitored after it is closed?

14.  List AND describe two materials that represent special problems for sanitary landfills.

15.  What is photodegradable and how does it relate to the plastic issue?

16.  What is biodegradable and how does it relate to the plastic issue?

17.  Give two positive things that are accomplished with solid waste is incinerated (burned).

18.  What is a waste–to-energy incinerator?

19.  Why should batteries, thermostats, and fluorescent lights be removed before burning?

20.  What are the pros and cons of burning paper?

21.  What are the pros and cons of burning plastics?

22.  What are the pros and cons of burning tires?

23.  What type of air pollutants do incinerators possibly produce?

24.  How does an electrostatic precipitator work?

25.  What is the difference in bottom ash and fly ash?

26.  What is a solution for disposing of yard waste?

27.  What are the THREE goals of waste prevention in order of priority?

28.  Read Meeting The Challenge on page 552. Describe three benefits of recycling old cars.

29.  What is source reduction and how can it be accomplished? List three ways.

30.  What was the purpose of the Pollution Prevention Act?

31.  What is dematerialization?

32.  What would a “bottle bill” do to help with solid waste reduction?

33.  What is the difference in reuse and recycle?

34.  List two pros and two cons of recycling.

35.  Which country recycles more of it municipal solid waste (msw) than any other country?

36.  Make a chart of 3 materials that can be recycled in large amounts from municipal solid waste, and explanation of why each is not more thoroughly exploited as a source of materials, and examples of products that can be made from them.

37.  What is the fee-per-bag approach?