All Flashcards
How can composting promote sustainability?
Reduces landfill waste, enriches soil, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
How does recycling contribute to sustainability?
Conserves resources, reduces energy consumption, and decreases pollution.
How can waste-to-energy conversion support sustainability?
Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and decreases landfill waste.
How does implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) promote sustainability?
Makes manufacturers responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, encouraging more sustainable design and recycling practices.
How does promoting a circular economy contribute to sustainability?
Minimizes waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.
How can improving landfill management enhance sustainability?
Reduces methane emissions, prevents leachate contamination, and extends the lifespan of landfills.
How does implementing pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) programs promote sustainability?
Incentivizes waste reduction and recycling by charging residents based on the amount of waste they generate.
How can promoting reusable products enhance sustainability?
Reduces waste, conserves resources, and decreases the environmental impact of disposable items.
How does supporting local and organic agriculture contribute to sustainable waste management?
Reduces transportation emissions, minimizes packaging waste, and promotes composting of food scraps.
How can implementing zero-waste initiatives promote sustainability?
Minimizes waste generation, maximizes resource recovery, and reduces the environmental impact of waste management.
What are the effects of improper landfill siting?
Groundwater contamination, habitat destruction, and decreased property values.
What are the consequences of plastic pollution?
Harm to wildlife, ecosystem disruption, and accumulation in the food chain.
How does incineration contribute to air pollution?
Releases particulate matter, dioxins, and heavy metals into the atmosphere.
What is the effect of methane release from landfills?
Contributes to global warming due to methane's high global warming potential.
What are the effects of e-waste mismanagement?
Releases toxic heavy metals into the environment and poses health risks to workers in informal recycling sectors.
What are the consequences of illegal dumping?
Contaminates soil and water, spreads disease, and degrades aesthetic value of the environment.
How does open burning of waste affect human health?
Releases toxic pollutants that cause respiratory problems, cancer, and other health issues.
What are the environmental effects of ocean dumping?
Harms marine life, pollutes water, and disrupts ecosystems.
What are the effects of food waste in landfills?
Generates methane gas, contributes to leachate production, and wastes valuable resources.
What are the consequences of mining waste mismanagement?
Contaminates soil and water, destroys habitats, and causes erosion and sedimentation.
What are the steps in sanitary landfill operation?
Waste is spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with soil daily to minimize odor, pests, and blowing litter.
What is the recycling process?
Collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing new products from recycled materials.
What is the composting process?
Organic waste decomposes under controlled conditions, producing a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
Describe the incineration process.
Waste is burned at high temperatures, reducing volume and sometimes generating electricity.
What are the steps in leachate treatment?
Collection, pre-treatment (sedimentation, filtration), biological treatment, and discharge or reuse.
What is the process of methane capture in landfills?
Wells are drilled into the landfill to collect methane gas, which can then be used for energy production.
Describe the process of waste-to-energy conversion.
Waste is processed through combustion, gasification, or anaerobic digestion to produce heat, electricity, or fuels.
What are the steps in a materials recovery facility (MRF)?
Waste is sorted by type (paper, plastic, metal), cleaned, and prepared for recycling.
What is the process of anaerobic digestion of organic waste?
Organic waste is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas and digestate.
What is the process of plasma gasification?
Waste is heated to extremely high temperatures using plasma torches, converting it into syngas and solid slag.