evr chapter 17
Recycling aluminum cans saves ________% of the energy needed to make the same amount of aluminum from virgin bauxite. ANSWER: 80 95 50 25 70
95
What do chromium, mercury, copper, and tin have in common? They are all corrosive materials. They are all gases. They are heavy metals. They are ignitable.
they are heavy metals
Heavy metals ________. ANSWER: bioaccumulate in animal tissues become less hazardous after incineration are unregulated by the U.S. government are not harmful unless they are directly ingested become less hazardous over time as they degrade chemically
bioaccumulate in animal tissues
The best way to reduce plastic in landfills is to ________. ANSWER: increase use of recycled items urge the government to pass more bottle bills use biodegradable plastic items reuse beverage bottles buy products produced locally with minimal packaging
buy products produced locally with minimal packaging
How can consumers decrease waste generation? by choosing to purchase only imported goods by purchasing goods with the Energy Star label by choosing to buy locally made goods by choosing minimally packaged good
by choosing minimally packaged good
The current state of e-wastes is that ________. ANSWER: by EPA mandate, all metals in electronics have been replaced by biodegradable materials only because of the actions of charitable organizations, the recycling rate is 5% because the EPA has classified e-wastes as toxic, more than 95% are being recycled the recycling rate has dropped significantly between 1999 and 2010 although recycling is improved, the rate of e-wastes going into landfills and incinerators is rising
although recycling is improved, the rate of e-wastes going into landfills and incinerators is rising
What are the goals of waste management? developing technology for more efficient incineration disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery promoting mid-level managers to high-level managers to more effectively manage waste developing management training for supervisors of disposal companies
disposing of waste safely as well as effectively, minimizing the amount of waste generated, and increasing recovery
Life-cycle analysis ________. ANSWER: examines the cycling of carbon in the environment is the study of statistical changes in the human population is an environmental movement designed to reduce municipal traffic and encourage alternative forms of transport defines how different organisms interact within ecosystems examines the life cycle of products for ecological efficiency
examines the life cycle of products for ecological efficiency
As recycling and composting efforts have grown, what has occurred with the annual amount of waste sent to landfills? it has stayed the same it has proportionally increased it has proportionally decreased it has disproportionally increased
it has proportionally decreased
How is compost used? It is used to generate energy. It is used to enrich soil. It is used as building material. It is used as animal feed.
it is used to enrich soil
Which of the following represents the largest waste disposal practice in the United States? composting landfills incineration recycling
landfills
The EPA is charged with cleaning up brownfields, which are ________. ANSWER: desert regions used for unsafe nuclear waste disposal urban areas contaminated by acid drainage from mining agricultural lands polluted by acid and heavy metals coastal sea grass beds damaged by industrial dumping lands whose reuse or development is complicated by the presence of hazardous materials
lands whose reuse or development is complicated by the presence of hazardous materials
Volume of waste recovered by composting was insignificant until ________. ANSWER: 2000 2009 the early 1960s 1980 the late 1980s
late1980
Of the following, ________ are classified as hazardous heavy metals. ANSWER: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium carbon, hydrogen, oxygen lead, mercury, cadmium any non-biodegradable materials aluminum, iron, silicon
lead, mercury, cadmium
Which type of analysis is performed by industrial ecologists when they examine a product from its beginning as a raw material until its disposal? life-cycle analysis disposal-tracking analysis reverse-engineering analysis full-term analysis
life-cycle analysis
To safeguard against groundwater contamination, sanitary landfills are ________. ANSWER: lined with cement located on industrial sites where groundwater is not used for drinking or agriculture located on slopes so water runs downhill located in unpopulated areas lined with plastic and clay
lined with plastic and clay
What prevents the contamination of groundwater in landfills? locating them at least 6 meters above the water table locating them in layers of impermeable rock locating them in deserts locating them below the water table
locating them at least 6 meters above the water table
Deep inside landfills, bacteria decompose organic wastes in a low oxygen environment. This anaerobic decomposition results in a mix of gases called landfill gas, which consists of about 50% ________. ANSWER: argon hydrogen methane carbon monoxide chlorine gas
methane
The Trash Track project ________. ANSWER: allows cities to charge polluters who dump large volumes of trash measures the volume of various categories of municipal waste in various cities monitors the amount of hazardous items in municipal waste monitors the movement of trash items to improve efficiency of management processes tells managers which items should be recycled
monitors the movement of trash items to improve efficiency of management processes
RCRA is a U.S. law enacted in the 1970s to ________. ANSWER: reduce environmental levels of the 12 most toxic chemicals, called the "dirty dozen" regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants regulate how hazardous waste is handled restrict use of off-road vehicles in national parks protect endangered species
regulate how hazardous waste is handled
The Fresh Kills Landfill ________. ANSWER: is the United States' first landfill conversion project is New York's first and only modern sanitary landfill was abandoned in the late 1970s site will be converted into a public park will remain open until late 2020
site will be converted into a public park
What is the term that refers to the reduction of the amount of waste entering the waste stream? liquidation source reduction recycling inventory
source reduction
What is an abandoned waste site that poses a direct threat to health and the environment, designated to have U.S. government funds applied to its cleanup? Superfund site landfill leachate-producing site surface impoundment site hazardous waste site
superfund site
The average American produces how much trash per day? 4.4 pounds 10 pounds 25 pounds 100 pounds
4.4
What is the difference between the amount of paper within the waste stream before and after recycling/composting? 1.2% 11.2% 16.2% 27.4%
11.2%
The year ________ demonstrated the greatest volume of recycling. ANSWER: 2008 1970 1960 1985 1998
2008
As of 2014, under the jurisdiction of the EPA, approximately ________% of hazardous sites identified under CERCLA as a national priority have been cleaned up. ANSWER: 3 50 40 60 30
30
As of 2008, the average American generates about ________ pounds of solid waste per day. ANSWER: 9 13.7 1.5 40 4.4
4.4
Approximately ________% of all U.S. residents are served by curbside recycling programs, and the part of the U.S. waste stream that is recycled is currently about ________%. ANSWER: 50; 25 30; 30 40; 50 30; 90 60; 100
50; 25
In 2000, how much solid waste did the average person in the United States produce? ANSWER: 220 metric tons per year 770 kilograms per year 190 metric tons per year 840 kilograms per year
770 kilograms per year
Which of the following statements is the best description of the per capita generation of solid waste between 1960 and 2010? ANSWER: Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation was relatively constant. Between 1960 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste increased steadily. Between 1960 and 2000, per capita generation increased. After 2000, per capita generation declined. Between 1960 and 1990, per capita generation increased at a steady rate. After 1990, per capita generation continued to increase, but at a slower rate.
Between 1960 and 2000, per capita generation increased. After 2000, per capita generation declined.
Which of the following statements is the best description of the total MSW generation between 1960 and 2010? ANSWER: Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation remained constant. Between 1960 and 2000, total MSW generation increased. After 2000, total MSW generation declined. Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off. Between 1960 and 2010, total MSW generation increased steadily.
Between 1960 and 2005, total MSW generation increased at a steady rate. After 2005, total generation leveled off.
Which of the following actions is required for the recycling loop to be successful? Genetically modified bacteria must be found to consume toxic components. Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials. Corporations must make more products from virgin (raw) materials. Consumers must purchase only products made in the United States.
Consumers and businesses must purchase products made from recycled materials.
Which statement about e-waste is accurate? Electronic devices die easily, so few of the devices thrown out in the United States could be reused. E-waste contains toxic heavy metals that can leach into the environment. E-waste is biodegradable. There is no financial incentive to recycle e-waste
E-waste contains toxic heavy metals that can leach into the environment.
Why do industries tend to produce so much waste even though it is not the most efficient way to do business? Industry ecologists do not recommend streamlining industrial waste. Most of industry is run by disorganized people. It is more profitable to be efficient with waste. In most cases, there is no financial incentive for becoming efficient
In most cases, there is no financial incentive for becoming efficient
Which of the following conditions results from the operation and subsequent use of old landfills built before 1976? Decommissioned landfills cannot be used as locations for schools, industries, parks, or golf courses for 300 years after the closing of the landfill. Hydrogen gas is generated by the organic decomposition and can be sold as a by-product. Leachate from old landfills can contaminate groundwater. Modern sanitary landfills are lined with a porous material.
Leachate from old landfills can contaminate groundwater.
Which of the following statements about U.S. landfills is true? Landfills should be kept as dry as possible to maintain high biodegradation levels. There are more active landfills in existence today than ever before. It is against the law to build anything on an abandoned landfill. More than three-fourths of the landfills in the United States have been closed since 1988.
More than three-fourths of the landfills in the United States have been closed since 1988.
How is the generation of municipal solid waste likely to change in the next 20 years? ANSWER: Total municipal waste generation will continue at its current rate. Per capita generation of waste will continue to decline. Total municipal waste generation will decline. The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
The answer cannot be determined from the graph.
How can an engineered cover on landfills reduce decomposition of the trash? The cover keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash. The cap prevents hawks and blue jays from decomposing the trash. The cover causes paper to bond to plastic in the landfill. The cover keeps the landfill moist on the inside, preventing decomposition.
The cover keeps the landfill dry, which decreases the ability of bacteria to decompose trash.
Between 2000 and 2010, per capita generation of solid waste declined, but the total amount of MSW remained relatively constant. What caused the difference in these two trends? ANSWER: The amount of industrial waste was increasing. Per capita generation of waste is not included in the figures for total MSW generation. The total population was increasing. The answer cannot be determined from this graph.
The total population was increasing.
Which of the following statements about current U.S. waste disposal is true? We landfill half of our trash and recycle the other half. We incinerate 90% of our trash and landfill the rest. We landfill half of our trash and recycle a third of it. We incinerate 50% of our trash and the rest is in open landfills.
We landfill half of our trash and recycle a third of it.
What is a potential, and likely, drawback to the deep-well injection of hazardous wastes? Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel. It is hard to drill very deep into the ground. The wells tend to catch fire. Large buildings must be constructed to house these wells.
Well casings can corrode leaking hazardous waste into soil, rock, and gravel.
________ are wastepaper contaminants that cannot effectively be recycled. ANSWER: Cereal boxes Newspapers Corrugated cardboard boxes Office papers Paper shopping bags
cereal boxes
The conversion of organic waste to mulch or humus usable for enriching soil by encouraging natural biological processes of decomposition in a controlled manner is called __________. compromising combustion composting composition
composting
________ is the conversion of organic waste into mulch or humus. ANSWER: Composting Compacting Reusing Injecting Cogeneration
composting
__________ is the process of recovering organic waste through decomposition. combustion recovery composting recycling
composting
Substances that degrade the metals that make up storage tanks or equipment are called __________. corrosives toxics alkaline caustic agents ignitables
corrosives
Plastic ________. ANSWER: from beverage containers is easily recyclable if decapped, washed, and squashed polystyrene is considered a plastic contaminant containers from motor oil are recycled with beverage bottles to make new bottles not made from recyclables is made from renewable raw materials from grocery bags is labeled with recycling symbols #1 and #2
from beverage containers is easily recyclable if decapped, washed, and squashed
What is one problem associated with the incineration of solid waste? hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere leachate the may contaminate groundwater the volume of waste increases the waste is radioactive
hazardous chemicals are often created and released into the atmosphere
E-wastes are a source of ________. ANSWER: radioactive materials ignitables heavy and precious metals acid corrosives compostable organic compounds
heavy and precious metals
Why does the average U.S. citizen create more waste today than 50 years ago? higher rates of consumption lack of composting facilities lack of landfill space high rates of recycling
higher rates of consumption
________ represent(s) the largest source of unregulated hazardous waste. ANSWER: Utilities Small businesses Households Large industry Farmers
households
Of the following, ________ represent criteria for classifying hazardous waste. ANSWER: municipal, industrial and agricultural inorganic and organic non-biodegradable and biodegradable ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic solid, liquid, gaseous
ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic
Of the following, ________ produce(s) the largest amount of hazardous waste. ANSWER: building demolitions agriculture utilities industry households
industry
Which of the following sectors produces the most hazardous waste? grocery stores industry residential small businesses
industry
All of the following are considered to define types of hazardous waste except ________. ANSWER: corrosive ignitable inert toxic reactive
inert
Deep-well injection ________. ANSWER: is a method of disposing of hazardous wastes in deep aquifers is the EPA-approved method of disposing of low-level radioactive wastes is a pool of strong acids on the land surface used for breaking down e-waste injects mostly liquid hazardous wastes into porous rock isolated by impervious clay deep beneath human water supplies has been banned as unsafe by the Dept. of the Interio
injects mostly liquid hazardous wastes into porous rock isolated by impervious clay deep beneath human water supplies
Which of the following actions would not reduce the per capita generation of solid waste? ANSWER: reducing the volume of product packaging recycling paper and plastic bottles composting kitchen scraps and yard waste installation of waste-to-energy incinerators reusing items such as shopping bags and clothing
installation of waste-to-energy incinerators
From the 1960s to the present, the trend has been that ________ over time. ANSWER: less waste was recovered for recycling there have been equal ratios of land disposal, combustion, and recovery more overall waste was produced less waste was sent to landfills less overall waste was produced
more overall waste was produced
Which of the following categories comprises the greatest proportion, by weight, of solid waste before recycling in the United States today? ANSWER: Paper Plastic Metal Glass Yard trimmings
paper
What is the largest component of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream? all varieties of plastics metals paper and paper products yard waste
paper and paper products
Which of the following is an example of a product found in a "throwaway society," such as the United States? reusable razor blades reusable cloth diapers fine silverware paper napkins
paper napkins
The earthworms, fungi, and bacteria in your compost pile will NOT be happy if you give them ________. ANSWER: grass clippings autumn leaves plastic food scraps paper
plastic
Closing the recycling loop refers to ________. ANSWER: purchasing items made from recycled materials covering landfills once they have outlived their usefulness and converting them to public parks composting of biodegradable plastic finding ways to recycle all plastics, including polystyrene avoiding contamination of plastic and paper collectables during sorting
purchasing items made from recycled materials
Which of the following types of hazardous waste are unstable and pose dangers when in contact with other compounds? toxic reactive ignitable corrosive
reactive
In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, glass is ________. ANSWER: composted incinerated melted down to make light bulbs dumped at landfills recycled into reflective paint and signs
recycled into reflective paint and signs
Industrial ecologists ________. ANSWER: advocate for taxes on green industries urge an emphasis on internal manufacturing costs rather than external costs primarily analyze industrial inputs favor an economy that moves linearly rather than circularly redesign industrial systems to minimize physical inefficiency and maximize economic efficiency
redesign industrial systems to minimize physical inefficiency and maximize economic efficiency
The best solution to the solid waste problem is to ________. ANSWER: reduce the amount of material that enters the waste stream subsidize WTE facilities increase the number of sanitary landfills increase the number of WTE facilities increase the number of oceanic burial sites
reduce the amount of material that enters the waste stream
What is the goal of an industrial ecologist? reduce the waste in industrial systems to make industry more profitable regardless of environmental impact to increase expenditures in industry in order to generate more landfill space to save endangered species
reduce the waste in industrial systems
What does the red line on the graph represent? ANSWER: the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year the total amount of solid waste generated by all people in the United States per year the average amount of solid waste generated by each household in the United States per year the period of time in years
the average amount of solid waste generated by each person in the United States per year
How can solid waste incineration be of benefit? it can generate methane the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy the fly ash can be used as compost or mulch it can be used to clean the air
the heat from waste combustion can be used to generate energy
LDPE is ________. ANSWER: the most widely recycled plastic not currently recycled a toxin found in most plastics the plastic used to make grocery bags banned in Denmark
the plastic used to make grocery bags
The second step in the recycling loop is ________. ANSWER: the purchase by consumers of products made from recycled materials the use of recyclables by industry to manufacture new products the collection and processing of recyclable materials the elimination of number 1 plastics the incineration of paper
the use of recyclables by industry to manufacture new products
Paper and plastic waste share the following characteristics: ________. ANSWER: both are more than 90% recycled in the United States they are both made from petrochemicals they readily degrade in landfills they cannot be incinerated to produce energy their increased consumption leads to increased waste
their increased consumption leads to increased waste
What does the left y-axis represent? ANSWER: per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year per capita generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year total generation of municipal solid waste, in kilograms per year total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year
total generation of municipal solid waste, in metric tons per year
Which of the following choices best describes a surface impoundment used for hazardous waste disposal? used to store and concentrate dilute liquid hazardous waste before it is moved to a permanent disposal option any artificial lake created by a dam a permanent disposal option for liquid hazardous wastes used for nuclear waste storage
used to store and concentrate dilute liquid hazardous waste before it is moved to a permanent disposal option
What sort of waste is predominantly generated by U.S. industrial facilities? wastewater heavy metals radioactive organic
wastewater
