AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Solid Waste Disposal

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Solid Waste Disposal, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the process of converting waste materials into new products called?

Answer: Recycling. Reprocessing discarded materials into new useful products.

Flashcard 2: Which gas is primarily emitted from landfills?

Answer: Methane is primarily emitted. Organic decomposition in anaerobic conditions produces methane gas.

Flashcard 3: Identify the environmental concern of methane emissions from landfills.

Answer: Methane contributes to global warming. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 25x stronger than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 4: What is the process of converting waste materials into new products called?

Answer: Recycling. Reprocessing discarded materials into new useful products.

Flashcard 5: Define composting.

Answer: Composting is the decomposition of organic waste into humus. Aerobic breakdown creates nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Flashcard 6: What is the environmental concern associated with incinerator ash?

Answer: It may contain toxic substances. Bottom ash concentrates heavy metals and persistent pollutants.

Flashcard 7: What is leachate in the context of landfills?

Answer: Leachate is liquid that drains from landfills. Contaminated liquid formed when water percolates through waste.

Flashcard 8: What is the primary method of solid waste disposal in the U.S.?

Answer: Landfilling is the primary method. Most U.S. waste goes to engineered burial sites with environmental controls.

Flashcard 9: What is green waste?

Answer: Biodegradable waste such as grass clippings and leaves. Yard waste suitable for composting and mulching applications.

Flashcard 10: What is the purpose of a transfer station in waste management?

Answer: To consolidate waste for efficient transport. Central collection point reduces transportation costs and distances.

Flashcard 11: Which gas is primarily emitted from landfills?

Answer: Methane is primarily emitted. Organic decomposition in anaerobic conditions produces methane gas.

Flashcard 12: Identify a benefit of using biodegradable plastics.

Answer: They decompose more quickly than conventional plastics. Engineered to break down faster under environmental conditions.

Flashcard 13: What is the role of environmental impact assessments in waste management?

Answer: To evaluate potential impacts of waste facilities. Predicts environmental consequences before facility construction.

Flashcard 14: What is the primary concern with open dumps?

Answer: They pose health and environmental hazards. Uncontrolled sites allow contamination and disease vectors.

Flashcard 15: What is the main advantage of anaerobic digestion in waste management?

Answer: Produces biogas and reduces waste volume. Oxygen-free breakdown produces methane and reduces organic matter volume.

Flashcard 16: Identify a method to manage hazardous waste.

Answer: Incineration or chemical treatment. High-temperature destruction or chemical stabilization neutralizes toxins.

Flashcard 17: Identify a disadvantage of incineration.

Answer: Incineration can release toxic pollutants. High-temperature burning can create dioxins and heavy metals.

Flashcard 18: What is the primary method of solid waste disposal in the U.S.?

Answer: Landfilling is the primary method. Most U.S. waste goes to engineered burial sites with environmental controls.

Flashcard 19: What is e-waste?

Answer: E-waste is discarded electronic devices. Electronic waste containing valuable and toxic materials.

Flashcard 20: What is source reduction?

Answer: Source reduction is reducing waste generation at the source. Prevents waste creation through design and consumption changes.

Flashcard 21: Identify a challenge associated with plastic waste.

Answer: It is persistent and difficult to degrade. Non-biodegradable polymers accumulate in ecosystems indefinitely.

Flashcard 22: Identify the main component of municipal solid waste by weight.

Answer: Paper is the main component by weight. Paper products make up the largest portion of MSW by mass.

Flashcard 23: What is the primary goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

Answer: To manage hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. RCRA provides cradle-to-grave waste management framework.

Flashcard 24: What is the environmental purpose of the Basel Convention?

Answer: To control transboundary movements of hazardous waste. International treaty preventing illegal hazardous waste dumping.

Flashcard 25: What is the environmental purpose of the Basel Convention?

Answer: To control transboundary movements of hazardous waste. International treaty preventing illegal hazardous waste dumping.

Flashcard 26: What is municipal solid waste (MSW)?

Answer: MSW is waste from households, businesses, and institutions. Includes everyday waste from homes, offices, schools, and stores.

Flashcard 27: What does the acronym RCRA stand for?

Answer: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Federal law regulating solid and hazardous waste management.

Flashcard 28: What is the benefit of recycling?

Answer: Recycling conserves resources and reduces landfill waste. Reprocessing materials saves raw materials and energy.

Flashcard 29: Identify the environmental concern of methane emissions from landfills.

Answer: Methane contributes to global warming. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, 25x stronger than $CO_2$.

Flashcard 30: Identify a material that is not biodegradable.

Answer: Plastic is not biodegradable. Synthetic polymers persist in environment for hundreds of years.

Flashcard 31: Identify a benefit of using biodegradable plastics.

Answer: They decompose more quickly than conventional plastics. Engineered to break down faster under environmental conditions.

Flashcard 32: What does the term 'biodegradable' refer to?

Answer: Materials that can decompose naturally. Broken down by natural biological processes over time.

Flashcard 33: What is the main purpose of landfill capping?

Answer: To prevent water infiltration and control gas emissions. Final cover system isolates waste from environment permanently.

Flashcard 34: What is the purpose of the Clean Air Act in relation to waste disposal?

Answer: To regulate air emissions from waste facilities. Sets emission standards for incinerators and other waste facilities.

Flashcard 35: What is the benefit of recycling?

Answer: Recycling conserves resources and reduces landfill waste. Reprocessing materials saves raw materials and energy.

Flashcard 36: What is the environmental impact of improper e-waste disposal?

Answer: It can release toxic substances into the environment. Heavy metals and toxins contaminate soil and water systems.

Flashcard 37: What is the purpose of the Clean Air Act in relation to waste disposal?

Answer: To regulate air emissions from waste facilities. Sets emission standards for incinerators and other waste facilities.

Flashcard 38: Define composting.

Answer: Composting is the decomposition of organic waste into humus. Aerobic breakdown creates nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Flashcard 39: What is the effect of excess nutrients from waste runoff?

Answer: It can cause eutrophication in water bodies. Nitrogen and phosphorus promote excessive algae growth.

Flashcard 40: What are the three Rs of waste management?

Answer: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Waste hierarchy prioritizing prevention over disposal.

Flashcard 41: What is the primary goal of sustainable waste management?

Answer: To minimize environmental impact and conserve resources. Balances environmental protection with economic efficiency.

Flashcard 42: Identify a common hazardous waste.

Answer: Batteries are a common hazardous waste. Contains heavy metals and corrosive chemicals requiring special handling.

Flashcard 43: What is the purpose of a landfill liner?

Answer: To prevent contamination of groundwater. Impermeable barrier protects soil and groundwater from leachate.

Flashcard 44: What is municipal solid waste (MSW)?

Answer: MSW is waste from households, businesses, and institutions. Includes everyday waste from homes, offices, schools, and stores.

Flashcard 45: Which type of waste can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill?

Answer: Non-hazardous solid waste. Only non-toxic waste allowed in engineered disposal sites.

Flashcard 46: Identify the main component of municipal solid waste by weight.

Answer: Paper is the main component by weight. Paper products make up the largest portion of MSW by mass.

Flashcard 47: Which type of waste can be disposed of in a sanitary landfill?

Answer: Non-hazardous solid waste. Only non-toxic waste allowed in engineered disposal sites.

Flashcard 48: What is the primary benefit of waste-to-energy (WTE) plants?

Answer: They generate energy from waste. Converts waste heat into electricity while reducing landfill volume.

Flashcard 49: Identify a method to manage hazardous waste.

Answer: Incineration or chemical treatment. High-temperature destruction or chemical stabilization neutralizes toxins.

Flashcard 50: What is the environmental concern associated with incinerator ash?

Answer: It may contain toxic substances. Bottom ash concentrates heavy metals and persistent pollutants.

Flashcard 51: Identify a challenge associated with plastic waste.

Answer: It is persistent and difficult to degrade. Non-biodegradable polymers accumulate in ecosystems indefinitely.

Flashcard 52: Describe landfill gas recovery.

Answer: Capturing and using methane from landfills for energy. Converts landfill methane into renewable electricity or heat.

Flashcard 53: Identify a common method for treating hazardous waste.

Answer: Chemical neutralization. Acids and bases react to form stable, less dangerous compounds.

Flashcard 54: What is the purpose of a landfill liner?

Answer: To prevent contamination of groundwater. Impermeable barrier protects soil and groundwater from leachate.

Flashcard 55: What is the main advantage of anaerobic digestion in waste management?

Answer: Produces biogas and reduces waste volume. Oxygen-free breakdown produces methane and reduces organic matter volume.

Flashcard 56: What is the term for waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment?

Answer: Hazardous waste. Waste with toxic, ignitable, corrosive, or reactive properties.

Flashcard 57: Identify a common method for treating hazardous waste.

Answer: Chemical neutralization. Acids and bases react to form stable, less dangerous compounds.

Flashcard 58: Identify a common hazardous waste.

Answer: Batteries are a common hazardous waste. Contains heavy metals and corrosive chemicals requiring special handling.

Flashcard 59: What is the primary goal of sustainable waste management?

Answer: To minimize environmental impact and conserve resources. Balances environmental protection with economic efficiency.

Flashcard 60: What is the primary goal of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)?

Answer: To manage hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. RCRA provides cradle-to-grave waste management framework.

Flashcard 61: What is the purpose of a transfer station in waste management?

Answer: To consolidate waste for efficient transport. Central collection point reduces transportation costs and distances.

Flashcard 62: What does the term 'biodegradable' refer to?

Answer: Materials that can decompose naturally. Broken down by natural biological processes over time.

Flashcard 63: What is the role of environmental impact assessments in waste management?

Answer: To evaluate potential impacts of waste facilities. Predicts environmental consequences before facility construction.

Flashcard 64: Describe landfill gas recovery.

Answer: Capturing and using methane from landfills for energy. Converts landfill methane into renewable electricity or heat.

Flashcard 65: What is green waste?

Answer: Biodegradable waste such as grass clippings and leaves. Yard waste suitable for composting and mulching applications.

Flashcard 66: What is the environmental impact of improper e-waste disposal?

Answer: It can release toxic substances into the environment. Heavy metals and toxins contaminate soil and water systems.

Flashcard 67: What does the acronym RCRA stand for?

Answer: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Federal law regulating solid and hazardous waste management.

Flashcard 68: What is e-waste?

Answer: E-waste is discarded electronic devices. Electronic waste containing valuable and toxic materials.

Flashcard 69: Identify a material that is not biodegradable.

Answer: Plastic is not biodegradable. Synthetic polymers persist in environment for hundreds of years.

Flashcard 70: Identify a disadvantage of incineration.

Answer: Incineration can release toxic pollutants. High-temperature burning can create dioxins and heavy metals.

Flashcard 71: What is source reduction?

Answer: Source reduction is reducing waste generation at the source. Prevents waste creation through design and consumption changes.

Flashcard 72: What is the primary concern with open dumps?

Answer: They pose health and environmental hazards. Uncontrolled sites allow contamination and disease vectors.

Flashcard 73: What is the primary benefit of waste-to-energy (WTE) plants?

Answer: They generate energy from waste. Converts waste heat into electricity while reducing landfill volume.