Waste Management Practices and Concerns

The video discusses various aspects of waste management, including municipal solid waste, landfill operations, and alternative disposal methods like incineration and waste-to-energy facilities. It covers the handling of hazardous and nuclear waste, e-waste recycling, and the importance of environmental laws like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Superfund. The video emphasizes reducing waste production and the significance of recycling and composting.

What is the largest component of municipal solid waste?

• Plastic

• Food scraps

• Paper

• Yard debris

What is a key feature of sanitary landfills to prevent environmental contamination?

• They are built below the water table

• They are located in earthquake-prone areas

• They have a thick plastic liner

• They are built near wetlands

What is a disadvantage of incinerating waste?

• It does not reduce waste volume

• It releases air pollutants

• It is a cheap method

• It increases landfill space

Which countries are known for dumping waste into the ocean?

• Germany and France

• United States and Canada

• China and Indonesia

• Brazil and Argentina

What is a method used for disposing of liquid hazardous waste?

• Ocean dumping

• Incineration

• Landfill burial

• Surface impoundment

Where is most high-grade nuclear waste stored in the United States?

• In urban landfills

• In surface impoundments

• In Yuca Mountain

• In ocean trenches

What is a major concern with electronic waste?

• It is not regulated

• It is easy to recycle

• It contains toxic metals

• It is biodegradable

What is the primary goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

• To increase waste production

• To encourage landfill use

• To prevent illegal dumping

• To promote ocean dumping

What is the purpose of the Superfund program?

• To create new landfills

• To clean up contaminated sites

• To promote recycling

• To increase waste production

What is the preferred order of actions for managing waste?

• Recycle, reuse, reduce

• Reuse, reduce, recycle

• Recycle, reduce, reuse

• Reduce, reuse, recycle