Environmental Science Ch.16

What industrial approach follows the same process in which natural systems handle waste?

Biomimicry

Which process, in which bacteria and enzymes help to destroy hazardous substances or convert them to harmless compounds, can be used for toxic waste disposal?

Bioremediation

Which of the following is likely to leak and could contaminate groundwater, according to the EPA?

Impoundment liners

What is a particular concern about the disposal of plastic bags and other plastic products?

It can take a long time for plastic to break down, these products harm wildlife, and large amounts end up in the oceans.

Where will most municipal solid waste in the United States end up?

Landfill

What is used daily to cover sanitary landfills in order to help keep material dry and prevent leaks?

Layers of clay or plastic foam

Which term describes the approach used with sanitary landfills, which encourages waste production?

Output

What is the process by which plants can be used to help clean up soil and water that is contaminated with chemicals?

Phytoremediation

What is the term for a type of recycling in which materials such as aluminum cans are recycled into new products of the same type?

Primary

What type of system, which handles both recyclable and nonrecyclable materials, is generally used by cities that make money by recycling and that have higher recycling rates?

Single-pickup

Why is it preferable to refuse, reduce, and reuse rather than improve methods of waste disposal?

These approaches reduce the amount of waste produced, reducing the need for disposal.

What is the function of cradle-to-cradle responsibility laws?

They require companies to take back their products for recycling or remanufacturing.

What is the term for waste that threatens human health or the environment?

Toxic

What is the term for the process in which consumers produce much less solid waste and consider the wastes that are produced as potential resources to be reused, recycled, or composted?

Waste reduction

Some landfills also have systems for collecting _____ and burning it as a fuel.

methane