All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is a waste audit?
Answer: An examination of waste stream to identify reduction opportunities. Analyzes waste composition to target specific reduction strategies.
Flashcard 2: Which waste reduction method involves reusing materials?
Answer: Recycling. Recycling processes used materials into new products instead of disposal.
Flashcard 3: What is the purpose of a material recovery facility?
Answer: Sorting and processing recyclables. Separates recyclables for reprocessing into new materials.
Flashcard 4: Identify a common household waste reduction practice.
Answer: Composting kitchen scraps. Diverts organic waste from landfills into useful soil amendment.
Flashcard 5: What is composting?
Answer: Decomposing organic waste into soil conditioner. Biological process that creates valuable soil amendment from organic waste.
Flashcard 6: List a benefit of waste reduction.
Answer: Conservation of natural resources. Reduces extraction pressure on natural ecosystems and raw materials.
Flashcard 7: Which material is commonly downcycled?
Answer: Plastic. Recycling into lower-quality products due to material degradation.
Flashcard 8: Name an advantage of a circular economy.
Answer: Increased resource efficiency. Maximizes material value while minimizing resource extraction needs.
Flashcard 9: Identify a practice to reduce e-waste.
Answer: Refurbishing old electronics. Extends electronic lifespan rather than immediate replacement.
Flashcard 10: What is the role of government in waste reduction?
Answer: Regulating and incentivizing reduction practices. Creates policies and enforcement mechanisms for waste reduction.
Flashcard 11: Identify a key challenge in waste reduction.
Answer: Lack of consumer awareness. Education gaps limit participation in reduction programs.
Flashcard 12: Name a waste reduction method in agriculture.
Answer: Crop rotation. Maintains soil health while reducing synthetic fertilizer waste.
Flashcard 13: Identify a disadvantage of landfill use.
Answer: Potential for groundwater contamination. Leachate from landfills can pollute underground water sources.
Flashcard 14: Identify a common household waste reduction practice.
Answer: Composting kitchen scraps. Diverts organic waste from landfills into useful soil amendment.
Flashcard 15: What does 'upcycling' mean?
Answer: Converting waste into new materials or products. Creates higher-value products from waste materials than original.
Flashcard 16: Which international agreement focuses on waste management?
Answer: The Basel Convention. Controls international movement of hazardous waste materials.
Flashcard 17: Which waste reduction method involves reusing materials?
Answer: Recycling. Recycling processes used materials into new products instead of disposal.
Flashcard 18: What is the definition of waste reduction?
Answer: Minimizing waste generation at the source. Prevents waste from being created rather than managing it after production.
Flashcard 19: What is the primary goal of waste reduction?
Answer: To reduce the volume and toxicity of waste. Addresses both quantity and harmful properties of waste streams.
Flashcard 20: What is the purpose of a waste management plan?
Answer: To outline strategies for handling waste effectively. Systematic approach coordinates reduction, reuse, and disposal activities.
Flashcard 21: Identify a benefit of reducing industrial waste.
Answer: Lower production costs. Less material input reduces manufacturing expenses and resource costs.
Flashcard 22: What is a common use for recycled glass?
Answer: Making new glass containers. Glass recycling maintains material quality through multiple cycles.
Flashcard 23: Name a strategy for reducing food waste.
Answer: Meal planning. Advance planning reduces overbuying and subsequent food disposal.
Flashcard 24: Which type of waste is most beneficial to compost?
Answer: Organic waste. High carbon content decomposes efficiently into valuable compost.
Flashcard 25: Which process converts waste to energy?
Answer: Incineration. Thermal treatment generates electricity while reducing waste volume.
Flashcard 26: Which strategy involves using products multiple times?
Answer: Reuse. Extends product lifespan without reprocessing into new materials.
Flashcard 27: What is 'waste diversion'?
Answer: Redirecting waste from landfills to recycling. Channels waste toward beneficial uses instead of disposal.
Flashcard 28: What is the purpose of a material recovery facility?
Answer: Sorting and processing recyclables. Separates recyclables for reprocessing into new materials.
Flashcard 29: Name a policy tool for encouraging waste reduction.
Answer: Pay-as-you-throw programs. Economic incentive where waste generation costs increase with volume.
Flashcard 30: What is e-waste?
Answer: Discarded electronic devices and components. Contains toxic materials requiring specialized disposal methods.