Waste TEST

Study guide
Please Note:
In addition to this study guide please also refer and study the Solid
waste study guide.
Look at the diagram of a landfill and be familiar with all parts
1. What are the 4 types of solid waste that can be recycled?
Paper, Plastic, Glass, Metal

2. What parts of solid waste can be composted?
Food Waste, Yard Waste

3. Define source reduction.
Any change in the design, manufacture, purchase, or use of materials to reduce their
amount of toxicitiy before they become waste.

4. List 2 reasons composting is good for the environment.
1. Create a rich compost that has nutrients in it to help plants grow
2. Reduces the amount of waste going to landfills

5. Complete the chart with the correct name for each symbol.
Flammable
Corrosive
BioHazard
Explosive
Toxic
6. List examples of hazardous waste.
Dyes, cleansers, lubricants, sealants, lead, mercury, zinc, radioactive wastes, PCBs

7. What happened at Love Canal?
$275 million dollars were spent to clean up this superfund site by capping the site,
installing a drainage system, and relocate individuals

8. If hazardous wastes are not properly stored, what could the consequences be?
It can leach into groundwater supplies and pollute drinking water for many

9. Why do many companies attempt to dispose of hazardous waste illegally?
It is expensive to dispose of legally.

10. What did the Superfund act do?
Allowed the EPA to fine companies that dispose of waste improperly.
Creates a fund to help clean up existing superfund sites.

11. What are Superfund sites?
Places where hazardous wastes are illegally dumped

12. Look at the map on page 530. How many superfund sites were there in New Jersey as
of 2001?
216

13. How can hazardous waste be prevented?
1. Produce less of it.
2. Find a way to reuse them

14. How can certain chemical be treated to make them less harmful?
Treat some hazardous wastes to non hazardous wastes by treating them with
chemicals.

15. What is deep-well injection?
Wastes are pumped deep into the ground where they are absorbed by a dry layer of
rock below the groundwater supply.

16. What is surface impoundment?
Wastes are essentially dumped into a pond that has a sealed bottom so the wastes do
not leak out.

17. What can happen to the environment if these two methods are not properly maintained?
Wastes can leach into groundwater and drinking water supplies.
18. How can substances such as crude oil, PCBs and cyanide be cleaned up?
Using bacteria which can break down the hazardous waste

19. Why are incinerators the most expensive form of waste disposal?
It requires a lot of power to run incinerators to burn the trash and wastes

20. What happens to the ash that is left over from burning hazardous wastes?
It is buried in a hazardous waste landfill

21. What are some examples of hazardous waste found in your home? Where should they
be discarded?
1. Motor Oil
2. Paints
3. Batteries
4. Computers
5. Cell phones
6. Pesticides/Fertilizers

22. How should motor oil discarded?
Take it to an automobile service station where it will be turned in for recycling.