Solid and Hazardous Waste

Set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to solid and hazardous waste management.

Law of Conservation of Matter

States that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only changes form.

Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)

Nonliquid waste generated from homes and businesses.

Hazardous Waste

Liquid or solid waste that is corrosive, reactive, flammable, or toxic.

Biodegradable Waste

Waste that can be broken down by decomposers, such as food scraps and yard trimmings.

Persistent Waste

Waste that is non-degradable, such as glass, metals, and plastics.

Sanitary Landfill

A landfill that is lined and monitored to prevent environmental contamination.

Incineration

The burning of municipal solid waste in large furnaces, significantly reducing waste volume.

Bioremediation

The use of microorganisms to break down contaminants in hazardous waste.

Phytoremediation

The use of plants to absorb and break down contaminants.

Cultural Eutrophication

Overgrowth of phytoplankton in water bodies due to nutrient pollution.

Hypoxia

Low dissolved oxygen levels in water due to overgrowth of decomposers.

Sludge

Solid waste that remains after the treatment of sewage, which can be processed into fertilizers.

Tertiary Treatment

The final stage of wastewater treatment, which may include ozonation, UV radiation, chlorination, or activated carbon processing.

Landfill Gas

Gas primarily composed of methane released from decomposing waste in landfills.

Leachate

Liquid that has percolated through the waste and contains contaminants.

Recycling

The process of reprocessing discarded materials into new products, reducing landfill needs.

Composting

The biological degradation of organic materials to produce nutrient-rich soil.

Integrated Waste Management

A strategy that includes a hierarchy of methods for managing waste.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Gives the EPA authority over hazardous waste storage, transport, and disposal.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Plans for and funds the cleanup of contaminated sites.

E-waste

Electronic waste that contains hazardous materials and was previously exported overseas.