8.3 Solid Domestic Waste

Question 1

SDW

Answer 1

An acronym used for Solid Domestic Waste, where “domestic” means “at home”. This is sometimes referred to as “municipal waste”

Question 2

Domestic

Answer 2

“At home”

Question 3

Gyre

Answer 3

A large system of circular currents in the ocean

Question 4

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Answer 4

a massive accumulation of marine debris, primarily plastic, located in the North Pacific Ocean, formed by ocean currents that concentrate the waste in a central area

Question 5

The three “Rs” of waste minimisation

Answer 5

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Question 6

Organic Waste

Answer 6

Waste composed of biodegradable materials
Includes food waste, garden waste, compost, manure.

Question 7

WEEE (Waste)

Answer 7

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, refers to discarded electrical or electronic devices and components, encompassing everything from household appliances to IT equipment, which require proper recycling and disposal due to their potentially hazardous materials

Question 8

Linear economy

Answer 8

An economic system based on a ‘take, make, dispose’ model.
As opposed to “Circular Economy” which recycles and reuses.

Question 9

Circular Economy

Answer 9

an economic system aimed at minimizing waste by continually reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products to extend their lifecycle and reduce the need for new resources

As opposed to the traditional (and wasteful) linear economy.

Question 10

Criticisms of a circular economy

Answer 10

• increased energy consumption during recycling processes,
• the challenges of redesigning products for longevity and recyclability,
• the economic feasibility and scalability of implementing circular practices
• the need for significant changes in consumer behavior and regulatory frameworks.

Question 11

Why do MEDCs make more waste than LEDCs?

Answer 11

• higher levels of consumption,
• greater use of disposable products,
• more packaging waste,
• higher standard of living that promotes frequent replacement of goods.

Question 12

Microplastics

Answer 12

tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter, originating from the breakdown of larger plastic debris or from microbeads used in products like cosmetics and cleaning agents, and are pervasive pollutants in marine and terrestrial environments.

Question 13

Inert waste

Answer 13

non-biodegradable, non-reactive waste that does not decompose or produce harmful chemicals or gases, typically including materials such as sand, concrete, and certain types of construction debris.

Question 14

Landfill

Answer 14

A site for the disposal of waste materials by burial.

Question 15

Benefits of Landfill

Answer 15

• practical solution for the disposal of large volumes of waste.
• gas can be captured and used to generate electricity.
• cheaper and quicker to establish compared to other waste disposal methods.

Question 16

Criticisms of Landfill

Answer 16

• contaminate soil and water with hazardous chemicals and leachate.
• produces methane (a greenhouse gas)
• take up large areas of land,
• health risks
• odor and aesthetics
  -require ongoing maintenance and monitoring to prevent environmental damage, incurring long-term costs.

Question 17

Leachate

Answer 17

liquid that percolates through a landfill as water filters through the waste material, picking up dissolved and suspended contaminants along the way

Question 18

Lining (landfill)

Answer 18

protective barriers or liners at the base and sides of a landfill to prevent leachate (liquid that percolates through the waste) from contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater

Question 19

Capping (landfill)

Answer 19

covering or sealing a landfill site once it reaches its capacity to minimise potential risks

Question 20

Anaerobic Digestor

Answer 20

• breaks down organic materials in the absence of oxygen.
• producing biogas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide) and a nutrient-rich residue called digestate.
• used for waste management, renewable energy generation, and nutrient recycling (fertilizer).

Question 21

Digestate

Answer 21

nutrient-rich residue that remains after the anaerobic digestion process of organic materials in an anaerobic digester. It consists of the undigested organic matter, as well as the by-products of microbial decomposition.

Question 22

Incinerator

Answer 22

facility designed for the controlled combustion of waste materials at high temperatures, typically between 800°C to 1200°C. This process converts waste into ash, gases, and heat

Question 23

Criticisms of incinerators

Answer 23

• Air pollution
• Greenhouse gas emissions:
• Toxic ash
• Negative community Impacts (noise odour)
• Health concerns
• Encourages waste generation (disincentivize waste reduction and recycling)

Question 24

Why do some countries export SDW

Answer 24

• Capacity constraints
• Resource recovery:
• Economic Considerations: Exporting to countries with lower labor or disposal costs
• Regulatory compliance
• Market demand

Question 24

Benefits of incinerators

Answer 24

• Waste volume reduction
• Energy Recovery: Heat generated from the combustion process can be used to produce steam for electricity generation
• Pathogen destruction
• Land use reduction (space economy)
• Odor control