8.3 solid domestic waste

Question 1

what is solid domestic waste made of?

Answer 1

household waste

Question 2

can you give examples of household waste?

Answer 2

paper, glass, metal, plastics, organic (kitchen or garden), packaging, construction debris and clothing.

Question 3

what are the three factors of SDW that change over time?

Answer 3

type, volumes and composition all change over time.

Question 4

what are the three key examples of non-biodegradble pollutant items?

Answer 4

batteries, plastic and e-waste

Question 5

what about non-biodegradable pollutants make them a major environmental issue?

Answer 5

the abundance and prevalence.

Question 6

what are the four main waste disposal options?

Answer 6

landfills, inciniration, recycling and composting.

Question 7

what does a circular economy provide?

Answer 7

an alternative approche to to waste and sustainability.

Question 8

what is a circular economy?

Answer 8

it is a system which seeks to reduce waste and optimise resources use.

it does this by minimalizing the input of natural resources and maximising the reuse, remanufacturing and repurposing of materials.

Question 9

what are the benefits of a circular economy?

Answer 9

the circular approach at economy can help to reduce environmental impacts, increase economic efficiency, and improve energy security.

Question 10

there are a viairty of strategies that can be used to manage SDW, they are influenced by a set of barriers, what are they?

Answer 10

cultural, economic, technological and political barriers.

Question 11

what are the thee main strategies you can expand on in an exam that can be used to manage SDW?

Answer 11

1) altering human activity- for example through a reduction of consumption and composting of food waste (think about educating the emerging consumers in India and Asia).

2) controlling the release of pollutant- government intervention into legistation to encourage recycling and re-use iinitivatives and impose taxes for SDW collection and disposal of items.

3) reclaiming landfills, using SDW for waste-to-energy programs, implementing initiatives to remove plastic from the great pacific.

Question 12

what are the pros of a landfills?

Answer 12

Landfills can generate electricity through the use of methane gas that is produced by the decomposition of organic waste.

Landfills can be used to reclaim and repurpose abandoned sites such as quarries and mining areas.

Landfills can provide a source of local employment and economic benefits.

Question 13

what are the cons of a landfill?

Answer 13

Landfills can contaminate soil and groundwater with harmful chemicals and toxins.

Landfills can release methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Landfills can produce unpleasant odors and attract pests such as rats and seagulls, which can spread disease.

Question 14

what are the pros of incineration?

Answer 14

Incineration can reduce the volume of waste by up to 90%, thereby reducing the need for landfills.

Incineration can generate electricity through the use of heat produced by burning waste.

Incineration can be a source of local employment and economic benefits.

Question 15

what are the cons of incineration?

Answer 15

Incineration can produce air pollutants such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals that are harmful to human health and the environment.

Incineration can release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides that contribute to climate change.

Incineration can be expensive to implement and maintain, requiring significant infrastructure and resources.

Question 16

what are the pros of composting?

Answer 16

Composting can create a valuable soil amendment that improves soil fertility and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Composting can reduce water use by increasing soil water retention and reducing runoff.

Composting can be a low-cost and easy-to-implement solution for waste management in small communities and households.

Question 17

what are the cons of composting?

Answer 17

Composting can attract pests and create unpleasant odors if not properly managed.

not all products can be composted such as dairy and metals.

Composting can be difficult to implement on a large scale, requiring significant space and infrastructure.

Question 18

what are the pros of recycling?

Answer 18

Recycling conserves natural resources by reducing the need for virgin materials and energy.

Recycling creates jobs and economic benefits in the recycling industry and related sectors.

Recycling can promote environmental awareness and sustainability values, leading to behavior changes that reduce waste generation.

Question 19

what are the cons of recycling?

Answer 19

Recycling can require significant amounts of energy and resources for collection, transportation, and processing of materials.

Recycling may not be economically viable in areas with low demand for recycled materials or where landfilling is cheaper.

Recycling may not be effective for certain types of waste, such as single-use plastics, which may not have a viable market for recycling.