Solid Waste Management

Question 1

Give definition of “avoidance” and “recycling”. Give 3 examples for avoidance and 3 examples for recycling.

Answer 1

Avoidance: is the prevention of producing waste, the goal is to have no waste production.
Types: Quantitative and qualitative avoidance; Avoidance in household; Avoidance in administration; Avoidance in factories

Recycling: it’s the reuse of materials for avoiding waste.
Types: Glass recycling, paper recycling, Plastic recycling.

Question 2

What is “downcycling”? Give examples of technologies with and without “downcycling effect”.

Answer 2

Downcycling is the recycling of waste where the recycled material is of a lower quality and functionality due to impurities.

+Technologies with downcycling:

• Paper: In the process fiber lose length
• Plastic: For mixed plastics. Equilibration is better for pure products.

+The products than could not be downcycled are:

• Iron
• Aluminum: Refine it is expensive due to impurities. It produces high environmental impacts as well. Though Aluminum does not need as much energy in recycling than producing.

Question 3

Give 5 examples of hazardous waste in households.

Answer 3

Toxic materials like batteries, accumulators, fluorescent tubes, pesticides, solvents, pharmaceutical products, paints, motor oil…..

Question 4

Explain what means Zero Waste?

Answer 4

Zero Waste is a combination of avoidance and recycling which means no waste production or just a production of those that can be recycled

Question 5

Which process steps you need for paper recycling?

Answer 5

Collection, separation, pulper, deinking, bleaching (optional)

Question 6

Can we recycle all kinds of plastic?

Answer 6

No. The ones that can be recycled are: PE (Polyethylene) PP(Polypropylene) PS(Polystylene) PUR (Polyrethane) PVC (Polyvinychloride) PET (Polythylenterephthalat)