Environmental Science Chapter 21 Review

List 4 advantages of greatly increasing resource productivity.

(1) Uses the minimum amount of material, (2) lasts as long as possible, (3) is easy to maintain, repair, remanufacture, reuse, and recycle, and (4) provides customers with the services they want instead of trying to keep selling them newer models of outmoded products.

Hazardous waste laws regulate what percentage of the overall hazardous waste produced in the United States?

5%

Describe the 1984 accident at the Dow pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.

An accidental leak and explosion at the pesticide plant in India caused multiple deaths and health issues. The equipment was considered subpar, yet it is believed that the accidents was actually caused by an act of sabotage by a disgruntled Indian employee.

List 7 ways to reduce waste and pollution.

Consume less, redesign manufacturing processes and products to use less material and energy; redesign manufacturing processes to produce less waste and pollution; develop products that are easy to repair, reuse, remanufacture, compost, or recycle; design products to last longer; eliminate or reduce unnecessary packaging; use trash taxes.

Cleaner Production

Industrial ecology.

Describe the problem of mining and smelting waste in Montana.

It left large amounts of waste behind which have caused enormous pollution effects such as polluted soils, groundwater, and streams. It has killed off aquatic life and stunted plant growth. It has also made the option of clean-up very expensive.

What are the major sources of solid waste in the United States?

Mining, oil and gas production; agriculture; industry; municipal; sewage sludge.

Explain why Peter Montague believes the regulation and standards approach used to control pollution during the past 33 years has failed.

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According to scientists, what percentage of solid and hazardous waste produced could be eliminated through a combination of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling (including composting)?

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By how much do some experts think we can improve resource productivity?

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Describe the resource exchange system used in Denmark and the pollution prevention program implemented by the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) company in the United States.

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Describe what Peter Montague thinks should replace this approach.

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List 5 ways in which resource productivity has been improved.

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Give 5 examples of solid waste thrown away in the United States.

Aluminium; E-waste (electronics); tires, construction waste; junk mail, paper, polystyrene peanuts, carpet.

Hazardous Waste

Any discarded solid or liquid material that (1) contains one or more of 39 toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic compounds at levels that exceed established limits (including many solvents, pesticides, and paint strippers), (2) catches fire easily (gasoline, paints, and solvents), (3) is reactive or unstable enough to explode or release toxic fumes (acids, bases, ammonia, chlorine bleach), or (4) is capable of corroding metal containers such as tanks, drums, and barrels (industrial cleaning agents and oven and drain cleaners).

Solid Waste

Any unwanted or discarded material that is not a liquid or gas.

According to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, what should be the five goals of solid and hazardous waste management in order of their importance?

Change industrial process to eliminate use of harmful chemicals; purchase different products; use less of a harmful product; reduce packaging and materials in products; makes products that last longer and are recyclable, reusable, or easier to repair.

High-Waste Approach

Focuses on disposing of waste materials by either (1) burying them, (2) burning them, or (3) shipping them off to another state or country. In effect, it transfers solid and hazardous waste from one part of the environment to another.

List 5 economic benefits of cleaner production.

Reducing the costs of controlling pollution and complying with pollution regulations; improving the health and safety of workers by reducing exposure to toxic and hazardous material (and thus reducing company health-care insurance costs); reducing future legal liability for toxic and hazardous wastes; stimulating companies to come up with new, environmentally beneficial chemicals, processes, and products that can be sold worldwide; giving companies a better image among consumers based on results rather than on public relations campaigns.

Summarize the threat from release of toxic chemicals from industrial plants because of accidents or terrorism.

Security has surveyed and ranges from "fair to very poor" at industrial plants throughout the U.S. Security is something that is being increased at these plants in case an act of terrorism manages to release the toxic chemicals that the plant has in store. The toxic chemicals in certain areas are reported to able to spread as far as 23 kilometers (14 miles) or more.

What does Lois Gibbs think we should do with solid and hazardous waste, and what major questions does she believe we should ask about such wastes?

She wants to find alternative, safer ways to dispose of waste. She also wants to target waste before it is produced. She believes that our methods are all problems because they deal with waste after it is produced. She wants to be able to decrease the amount of waste from the beginning. If you really want to understand what's behind any given environmental issue, the first question you should ask is, "Who stands to profit from this?" Then ask, "Who is going to pay the price?"

Municipal Solid Waste

Solid waste generated in homes, office buildings, retail stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, prisons, libraries, and other commercial institutional facilities. Also referred to as garbage.

Low-Waste Approach

This acknowledges that there is no "away' and views most solid or hazardous waste either (1) as potential resources that we should be recycling, composting, or reusing) or (2) as harmful substances that we should not be using in the first place. This approach focuses on discouraging waste production and encouraging waste reduction and prevention.

Resource Productivity

Total amount of material needed to produce each unit of goods or services.