All Flashcards
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.
Explain the 'reduce, reuse, recycle' hierarchy.
Prioritizes waste reduction first, then reusing items, and finally recycling materials as a last resort.
What is the significance of waste composition?
Understanding waste composition helps in selecting appropriate waste management strategies and improving recycling efforts.
Why is waste reduction important?
It conserves resources, reduces pollution, saves energy, and decreases the need for landfills.
What are the environmental impacts of landfills?
Landfills can cause soil and water contamination, methane emissions, and habitat destruction.
Why is source reduction important?
Source reduction prevents waste from being generated in the first place, minimizing environmental impact.
What are the benefits of recycling?
Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and decreases landfill waste.
Explain the concept of 'cradle to cradle'.
A design framework that seeks to create production techniques that are not just efficient but are essentially waste free and truly sustainable.
What are the limitations of incineration?
Incineration can release air pollutants and requires proper ash disposal.
Why is leachate management important in landfills?
Leachate can contaminate groundwater and soil, so proper management is crucial to prevent environmental damage.
What is the significance of methane collection in landfills?
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and collecting it reduces its contribution to climate change and can be used for energy production.
What are the steps in landfilling?
Waste is buried in a hole or mound, covered with clay/plastic.
What are the steps in incineration?
Waste is burned at high temperatures, reducing volume and producing ash.
Describe the recycling process.
Collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing into new products.
What are the steps involved in composting?
Collection of organic waste, decomposition, curing, and use as soil amendment.
Describe the process in a mass burn incinerator.
MSW is burned at high temperatures, reducing waste volume and producing pollutants.
What are the steps in creating a sanitary landfill?
Site selection, liner installation, waste placement, compaction, and cover application.
What are the steps in creating a secure landfill?
Site selection, thick liner installation, waste placement, and monitoring.
What are the steps in waste-to-energy conversion?
Waste is burned, heat is used to generate steam, and steam powers turbines to produce electricity.
Describe the process of methane collection in landfills.
Methane is captured through a system of pipes and used as a fuel source.
What is the process of leachate collection?
Leachate is collected through a system of pipes and treated to prevent water contamination.