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 management?
Groundwater contamination, methane emissions, and soil pollution.
What are the effects of burning waste?
Air pollution, ash disposal issues, and potential release of toxins.
What are the consequences of ocean dumping?
Marine pollution, harm to wildlife, and ecosystem disruption.
What are the effects of plastic waste in the environment?
Pollution of land and water, harm to wildlife, and microplastic contamination.
What are the causes of Superfund sites?
Improper disposal of hazardous waste leading to soil and water contamination.
What are the environmental consequences of Love Canal?
Chemical waste contamination leading to health problems and ecosystem damage.
What are the environmental consequences of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill?
Oil pollution leading to harm to marine life and ecosystem damage.
What are the effects of electronic waste disposal?
Release of toxic metals into the environment, harming human health and ecosystems.
What are the effects of landfills in developing countries?
Lack of proper infrastructure, leading to pollution and health risks.
What are the consequences of hazardous waste spills?
Soil and water contamination, harm to wildlife, and health risks for humans.
Define solid waste.
Discarded materials from human and animal activities that are solid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous materials.
What is hazardous waste?
Waste that is toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, flammable, corrosive, or explosive.
Define MSW.
Municipal Solid Waste: Waste from homes, businesses, and city buildings.
What is a sanitary landfill?
A landfill with layers of clay, sand, and plastic to prevent contamination, often including methane collection systems.
What is a secure landfill?
Landfill designed for hazardous waste, featuring thicker liners to prevent leaks.
What is incineration?
Burning waste at high temperatures to reduce its volume.
Define composting.
Biological decomposition of organic solid waste.
What is waste-to-energy conversion?
Converting non-recyclable waste materials into usable heat, electricity, or fuel through a variety of processes.
What is non-municipal solid waste?
Waste from industry, agriculture, mining, and oil/gas extraction.
Define teratogenic.
A substance that can cause birth defects.