CHAPTER 16—SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. Electronic waste
a Is the fastest growing solid waste problem in the world
.
b May contain valuable metals that could be recycled
.
c Primarily ends up in landfills
.
d Two of the above are correct
.
e All of the above are correct
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

2. The International Basel Convention bans the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to
developing countries. The United States
a is the only industrialized nation that has not ratified this convention
.
b has enthusiastically embraced this convention
.
c is the author of this convention
.
d has revised and improved this convention
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

3. The banning of TV set and computer disposal in landfills by 35 states in the U.S. is expected to
a cause interstate smuggling of e-waste
.
b be regulated by the federal government
.
c be voted down by consumers during the next general election
.
d set the stage for an emerging highly profitable e-recycling industry
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

4. E-waste is a source of which of the following pollutants of air and water?

a atrazine
.
343
 b DDT
.
c arsenic
.
d polyvinylchloride (PVC)
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate TOP: CORE CASE STUDY
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

5. Garbage produced directly by households and businesses accounts for ____ of the solid waste
produced in the United States.
a less than 2%
.
b 5%
.
c 10%
.
d 15%
.
e 20%
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-1 WHAT ARE SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, AND WHY ARE THEY A
PROBLEM?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

6. Hazardous or toxic waste is waste that

a threatens human health or the environment
.
b is dangerously corrosive
.
c is dangerously chemically reactive
.
d all of these
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-1 WHAT ARE SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, AND WHY ARE THEY A
PROBLEM?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

7. Which category most accurately describes waste such as food wastes, cardboard, cans, bottles, yard
wastes, furniture, plastics, metal, glass, and e-waste?
a e-waste
.
b municipal waste
.
c solid waste

344
 .
d industrial waste
.
e municipal solid waste
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-1 WHAT ARE SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, AND WHY ARE THEY
PROBLEMS?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

8. The top three U.S. producers of hazardous waste, in order, are

a the film industry, the computer industry, and the military
.
b the military, the mining industry, and the chemical industry
.
c the agricultural industry, the military, and the mining industry
.
d the military, the chemical industry, and the mining industry
.
e transportation industries (air and boat travel), the mining industry, and the military
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-1 WHAT ARE SOLID WASTE AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, AND WHY ARE THEY
PROBLEMS?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

9. In an integrated waste management approach, which of the following strategies should be given top
priority?
a incinerate
.
b reuse
.
c reduce
.
d refuse
.
e recycle
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-2 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

10. An integrated waste management approach for industrial enterprises

a eliminates unnecessary packaging
.
b makes a product require frequent replacement
.
c uses more material
.
d encourages built-in obsolescence
.

345
 e all of these answers
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-2 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

11. Which of the following choices describe an input approach to the problem of waste production?
a reduce packaging and materials for new products
.
b compost food scraps
.
c purchase fewer household items
.
d all of these answers
.
e reduce packaging and materials for new products and purchase fewer household items
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-2 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

12. The first priority of integrated waste management is

a recycling materials
.
b using biodegradable material
.
c creating more durable products
.
d reducing the amount of materials used
.
e Both c and d
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-2 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

13. Which of the three Rs are preferred because they are input approaches to waste management?
a reducing and recycling
.
b reducing and repurposing
.
c reducing and reconstituting
.
d reducing and reusing
.
e reducing and incinerating
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-2 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

346
14. At the checkout counter, an environmentalist is most likely to say
a "Plastic please"
.
b "Paper please"
.
c "I brought my own bag."
.
d “I want a cardboard box, please.”
.
e "Either plastic or paper."
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

15. Which of the following statements is false?

a It is more economical to have consumers separate trash before pickup than to use
. materials-recovery facilities.
b Glass, iron, and aluminum can be recovered from solid wastes.
.
c Source separation involves consumers separating trash into categories like glass, paper,
. and metal.
d Source separation is more costly and energy intensive.
.
e Materials-recovery facilities need a steady diet of garbage to be financially successful.
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

16. Source separation differs from materials-recovery facilities in all but which of the following?
a It has lower start-up costs.
.
b It yields cleaner and more valuable recyclables.
.
c It produces less air and water pollution.
.
d It provides fewer jobs per unit of material recycled.
.
e It saves more energy per unit of material recycled.
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

17. Which of the following are types of waste that a homeowner can recycle in their backyard as part of a
composting project?
a hedge trimmings
.
b food scraps
.

347
 c grass clippings
.
d discarded paints and stains
.
e all of these except discarded paints and stains
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

18. Critics of recycling are most likely to claim:

a It isn't worth the effort.
.
b There is no solid-waste problem.
.
c Incineration is the safest and most efficient way to dispose of solid wastes.
.
d It doesn't make sense to recycle if it costs more than sending wastes to a landfill or an
. incinerator.
e There is abundant landfill space in all areas.
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

19. Obstacles to recycling include

a lack of inclusion of environmental costs in market prices
.
b tax breaks for mining virgin materials
.
c lack of large, steady markets for recycled materials
.
d all of these answers
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

20. Only about 7% of ______ products are recycled in the United States because there are so many
different types that can be difficult to separate.

a glass
.
b plastic
.
c paper
.
d aluminum
.

348
 e cardboard
.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

21. You are the vice-president of a transportation company. You are presenting a proposal to the company
president and owners that involves recycling of the tires that are removed from company vehicles and
turning them into a rubberized playground material to be sold to schools and parks. Your proposal is
based on

a closed-loop recycling
.
b preconsumer recycling
.
c postconsumer recycling
.
d secondary recycling
.
e primary recycling
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: APPLICATION

22. What is a law that has been enacted in Bangladesh, China, France, Italy and the city of San Francisco,
California, USA?
a A tax has been levied on the use of plastic shopping bags.
.
b A tax has been levied on the use of water bottled in disposable plastic containers.
.
c Plastic shopping bags have been banned.
.
d Customers who recycle at curbside get a discount on garbage pick-up.
.
e None of these answers.
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-3 WHY IS REUSING AND RECYCLING MATERIALS SO IMPORTANT?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

23. Components of a modern, state-of-the-art landfill include

a probes to detect methane gas
.
b plastic liners on the bottom of the landfill
.
c storage and treatment of leachate
.
d groundwater monitoring wells

349
 .
e all of these answers
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-4 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BURNING OR
BURYING SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

24. A 2007 report by the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, a nonprofit organization, indicates
that:
a Nuclear waste facilities do not track the dispersal of radioactivity from their dump sites.
.
b Weapons grade nuclear waste is carefully monitored after it has been disposed of in
. sanitary landfills.
c Fortunately, no radioactive materials have ever been deposited by any methods other
. than safe methods.
d Radioactive hospital wastes go to standard sanitary landfills.
.
e Radioactive materials from facilities operated by the U.S. Department of Energy have
. been deposited in regular landfills.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-4 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BURNING OR
BURYING SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

25. Sanitary landfills typically have problems with

a rodents and insects
.
b odor
.
c open, uncovered garbage
.
d traffic, noise, and dust
.
e spread of disease
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-4 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BURNING OR
BURYING SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

26. Of the two types of dumps utilized for solid waste, open dumps
a are rare in developed countries
.
b cover wastes with clay or plastic foam
.
c have little odor
.
d are vermin free
.
e none of these answers

350
 .
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-4 WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BURNING OR
BURYING SOLID WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

27. Many concerned citizens oppose using incinerators to burn waste because
a It undermines waste reduction strategies like reduce and reuse
.
b They must burn a lot of trash to maintain profitability
.
c Incineration encourages waste
.
d They emit pollutants
.
e All of these answers
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

28. A very comprehensive and effective hazardous-waste collection and detoxification program is in
a France
.
b Denmark
.
c Norway
.
d Yugoslavia
.
e the United States
.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

29. Bioremediation
a involves training bacteria to eat new foods
.
b results in the production of low-level hazardous wastes
.
c involves the use of bacteria and enzymes to destroy hazardous substances
.
d is widely accepted as the best way to cut hazardous wastes
.
e does not exist
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

351
30. Phytoremediation
a involves the use of plants to remove contaminants from polluted soil and water
.
b involves the use of microscopic filter-feeding organisms to filter contaminants from
. water
c has been shown to be ineffective in the long term
.
d is too costly to be practical
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

31. The first priority in dealing with hazardous wastes is

a to collect them
.
b to produce less of it
.
c to use bioremediation
.
d to store it effectively
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

32. Hazardous waste deposited in ponds or lagoons

a may evaporate into the atmosphere
.
b may enter groundwater when there are no liners or when liners leak
.
c may contaminate surface water
.
d all of these answers
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

33. The least-used method of dealing with liquid and solid hazardous waste is ____ because of the ____.
a bioremediation, expense
.
b surface impoundment, construction costs
.
c secure hazardous waste landfills, expense
.
352
 d deep-well disposal, ineffectiveness
.
e deep-well disposal, high cost
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

34. Phytoremediation is a form of bioremediation that

a is essentially the same, but more costly
.
b involves the use of photosynthetic bacteria
.
c produces more air pollution and is thus not as helpful
.
d involves the use of plants
.
e can only work on toxic metal leachate
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

35. When hazardous wastes are injected into deep underground wells:
a They always contaminate the groundwater.
.
b Leaks or spills can occur at the surface.
.
c We are utilizing another output approach that encourages waste production.
.
d Both leaks and spills can occur at the surface and we are utilizing another output
. approach that encourages waste production.
e All of these answers.
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

36. The Superfund program paid

a to identify and clean up hazardous-waste dump sites
.
b to monitor hazardous wastes
.
c for testing for lead in paint, water, and air samples
.
d the doctors' bills and lawyers' fees for pollution events
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
353
 BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

37. All of the following are true about the Superfund program except
a The program is now broke.
.
b Superfund expired in 1995.
.
c All of the sites originally listed as a severe threat to human health were cleaned up.
.
d In November 2010, nearly 1,300 sites were listed as Superfund sites.
.
e Taxpayers rather than polluters are now paying for cleanups.
.
ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

38. Approximately 9 million childhood lead poisonings were prevented in the United States between 1976
and 2007 primarily because of
a a ban on the use of lead-based paints and leaded gasoline
.
b a ban on the use of lead in car batteries
.
c a ban on the use of lead in pencils
.
d a ban on the use of transfused blood contaminated with lead
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

39. Exposure to lead continues to cause unsafe levels in children in the United States. The source(s) of this
lead is
a peeling lead-based paint in houses
.
b Lead leaching from old water pipes
.
c Coal burning power plants
.
d Waste incinerators
.
e all of these answers
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-5 HOW SHOULD WE DEAL WITH HAZARDOUS WASTE?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

40. The idea that everyone is entitled to protection from environmental hazards regardless of race, gender,
age, national origin, income, social class, or any political factor is called

354
 a environmental racism
.
b environmental sustainability
.
c environmental policy
.
d environmental justice
.
e none of these answers
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
TOP: 16-6 HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE LOW-
WASTE SOCIETY?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

41. In 1992, the ___________ banned the shipment of hazardous materials from developed to developing
countries.
a United States EPA
.
b UNEP
.
c the United Arab Emirates
.
d the European Union
.
e Basel Convention
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-6 HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE LOW-
WASTE SOCIETY?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

42. Which of the following countries has passed a law that states all chemicals that are persistent and can
accumulate in living tissue will be banned by the year 2020?
a the United States
.
b France
.
c China
.
d Norway
.
e Sweden
.
ANS: E PTS: 1 DIF: Easy
TOP: 16-6 HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE LOW-
WASTE SOCIETY?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

43. In 2000, delegates from 122 countries completed a global treaty to control 12 persistent organic
pollutants (POPs), which include

355
 a DDT
.
b ozone
.
c chlorofluorocarbons
.
d methane gas
.
e mercury
.
ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-6 HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE, LOW-
WASTE SOCIETY?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

44. Which of the following statements is correct?

a We should view hazardous wastes as wasted resources.
.
b We should view solid wastes as materials we should not be producing in the first place.
.
c We should view solid wastes and hazardous wastes as being the same thing.
.
d We should view hazardous wastes as something we should not be producing in the first
. place.
e None of these answers are correct.
.
ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult
TOP: 16-6 HOW CAN WE MAKE THE TRANSITION TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE LOW-
WASTE SOCIETY?
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

TRUE/FALSE

1. Less use of energy will produce less waste but more pollution.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

2. Composting and source-separation recycling are both effective in reducing waste.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

3. Both solid waste and hazardous waste disposal today compromise the environment.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

4. Most scientists think that waste management should be the last priority for dealing with material use
and solid waste.

356
 ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

5. Reusing products can be a health hazard for the poor in developing countries who dismantle products
to extract usable parts.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

6. The products of composting can be used to slow soil erosion, retain water, and improve crop yields.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

7. Countries in which governments offer increased subsidies and tax breaks for reusing and recycling
materials are more environmentally sustainable than those that do not.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

8. In primary recycling, waste products are converted into different products.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

9. The best and cheapest ways to deal with solid and hazardous wastes are waste reduction and pollution
prevention.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

10. Restructuring urban transportation systems is a good idea from the perspective of reducing energy use,
but it would have no effect on resource use and waste production.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

11. Plastic shopping bag use is taxed in Ireland and Scotland.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

12. Closed-loop recycling is the same as secondary recycling.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

13. The recycling of plastic bottles to make fleece fabric for clothing is a type of secondary recycling.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

14. The availability of oil and petrochemicals effectively stalled the development of bioplastic.

357
 ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

15. Perpetual storage should be the last resort for dealing with hazardous wastes.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

16. Once lead was eliminated from gasoline, the problem of unsafe blood levels of lead in young children
ceased in the United States.

ANS: F PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

17. In the natural world, where humans are not dominant, there is essentially no waste.

ANS: T PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

COMPLETION

1. ____________________ are chemical substances that persist in the environment and accumulate in the
fatty tissues of humans and other organisms.

ANS:
Persistent organic pollutants
POPs

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

2. Tires being shredded and converted into surfacing for public roads is an example of
____________________.

ANS: secondary recycling

PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

3. ____________________ are inefficient because they are expensive to build, they discharge toxic
emissions, and they can produce a toxic ash.

ANS:
Materials-recovery facilities
MRF

PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

4. The ____________________ approach to recycling saves energy, provides jobs, and educates people
about how to reduce waste.

358
 ANS: source separation

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

5. Contaminated water that leaks from landfills is called ____________________.

ANS: leachate

PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

6. The top priority in dealing with hazardous waste should be the same as the top priority for solid waste,
and that is ____________________.

ANS: pollution prevention

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

7. The pricing of hazardous materials used in the U.S. and most countries does not include their
____________________.

ANS: harmful environmental costs

PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

8. The type of waste produced by mines, agriculture, and industries that supply people with goods and
services is called ____________________.

ANS: industrial solid waste

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

9. Hospital medical waste is a type of ____________________.

ANS:
hazardous waste
toxic waste

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

10. In the United States, enough ____________________ are used each year so that, if linked end to end,
they would reach to the moon and back seven times.

ANS: disposable diapers

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

359
 11. Online sites such as ____________________ link people who want to reuse belongings.

ANS:
eBay
Craigslist

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

12. ____________________ is a form of recycling that mimics nature’s recycling of nutrients.

ANS: Composting

PTS: 1 DIF: Easy

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

13. A method of dealing with solid waste that causes a low amount of water pollution, but a high amount
of air pollution, is ____________________.

ANS: incineration

PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

14. The use of bacteria and enzymes to convert toxic or hazardous substances to harmless compounds is
called ____________________.

ANS: bioremediation

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

15. According to the EPA, all impoundment liners eventually ____________________.

ANS: leak

PTS: 1 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: KNOWLEDGE

MATCHING

Match the items listed below with the appropriate choice

360
 1. Which area is a methane gas recovery well?
2. Which area represents monitoring wells?
3. Which area contains compacted solid wastes?
4. Which area is a methane storage area?

1. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling

2. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
3. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
4. ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: Easy OBJ: Labeling
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

Considering the priorities suggested by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for integrated waste
management, match the priority level with the appropriate action below.
a first priority c third priority
. .
b second priority
.
5. Buy soft drinks in glass containers.
6. Incinerate waste.
7. Use less garden pesticides.
8. Bury waste in landfills.
9. Change industrial processes to eliminate use of harmful chemicals.
10. Compost your vegetable scraps.
11. Make cars that last longer.
12. Buy foods such as grains and dried fruits in bulk.
13. Treat waste with bioremediation.
14. Repair an old bicycle and donate it to a children’s group.

5. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

6. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
7. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate

361
 8. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
9. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
10. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
11. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
12. ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
13. ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
14. ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate
BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: APPLICATION

SHORT ANSWER

1. Which areas in the diagram represent processes that most countries rely on for dealing with solid waste
management?

ANS:
landfill and incineration

PTS: 2 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

2. The First Priority in an integrated solid waste management program can be most effectively applied in
which area of the diagram?

ANS:
processing and manufacturing

PTS: 2 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

3. The Second Priority of an integrated solid waste management program comes into play in which
processes in the diagram?

362
 ANS:
reuse and recycling of plastic, metal, glass, and paper and composting of food/yard waste

PTS: 2 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

4. Explain to a friend what the term environmental justice means. Include in your explanation some
specific examples of environmental injustice.

ANS:
Environmental justice is an ideal whereby every person is entitled to protection from environmental
hazards regardless of race, gender, religion, age, national origin, income, social class, or any political
factor. Studies have shown that a larger portion of polluting entities are located close to communities
populated by disadvantaged groups such as Latinos and African Americans. Furthermore, studies have
shown that clean up of such areas is much faster and accomplished more completely if they are close
to white communities than if they are close to African American and Latino communities.

PTS: 3 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: SYNTHESIS

5. The pie chart above shows the typical content of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the U.S. This chart
represents an average amount, based on the year 2006. Think about the three largest categories in this
chart, and then think about your own MSW. Are your largest categories the same as shown here? Are
they different? Why? What can you do to cut down on the three largest categories of MSW that you
personally generate?

ANS:
Answers will vary from student to student. Responses should be graded on how well the comparison is
made with the chart, and how well thought-out the ideas are for reducing MSW.

PTS: 3 DIF: Moderate OBJ: Critical Thinking

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: EVALUATION

ESSAY

1. Compare and contrast the First Priority and the Last Priority in an integrated waste management plan.

363
 ANS:
The First Priority is directed toward pollution prevention, and involves steps such as the
following:
Change industrial processes to eliminate use of harmful chemicals.
Use less of a harmful product.
Reduce packaging and materials in production.
Make products that last longer and are recyclable, reusable, or easy to repair.

The Last Priority is directed toward dealing with the waste that is produced, and involves these
steps:
Treat waste to reduce toxicity.
Incinerate or bury waste.
Release waste into environment for dispersal or dilution.

PTS: 4 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: ANALYSIS

2. Briefly explain the advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation as a method of removing or

detoxifying hazardous wastes.

ANS:

Advantages:
Easy to establish.
Inexpensive.
Can reduce material dumped into landfills.
Produces little air pollution compared to incineration.
Low energy use.

Disadvantages:
Very slow (can take several growing seasons).
Effective only to depth of plant roots.
Toxic chemicals may evaporate from leaves.
Plants used can be toxic to animals.

PTS: 4 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: ANALYSIS

3. List the three key principles environmental scientists urge us to understand and live by in order to
make the change to a low-waste society.

ANS:
Everything is connected.
There is no "away" as in "to throw away" for the wastes we produce.
Producers and polluters should pay for the waste that they produce

PTS: 4 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

364
4. Although great strides have been made in reducing lead poisoning in children in the United States,
there are still at least 310,000 children in our country with unsafe blood levels of lead. What should be
done to prevent this problem from continuing to harm our children?

ANS:
Replace lead pipes and plumbing fixtures containing lead solder.
Remove leaded paint and lead dust from older houses and buildings.
Reduce lead emissions from incinerators.
Remove lead from TV sets and computers before disposal.
Test for lead in ceramic ware used for serving food.
Test existing candles for lead.
Wash fresh fruits and vegetables.

PTS: 4 DIF: Moderate

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: COMPREHENSION

5. You are planning a course of study that will result in a degree in microbiology. You also wish to work
in a job that allows you to help solve our environmental challenges. Based on the discussion in this
chapter about the issue of dealing with our waste problem, what type of work might you do?

ANS:
Bioremediation is a method of using bacteria and enzymes to convert hazardous wastes to harmless
compounds. Since microbiologists work with microscopic organisms such as bacteria, a degree in this
area can lead to work in bioremediation.

PTS: 5 DIF: Difficult

BLOOM’S TAXONOMY: APPLICATION

365