Introduction to Environmental Systems - Solid & Hazardous Waste

A collection of vocabulary flashcards related to the lecture on Solid and Hazardous Waste, summarizing key terms and concepts.

Cradle-to-grave

The life cycle of a product from when it is manufactured to when it is discarded.

Cradle-to-cradle

A concept where products are designed to be part of a continuous cycle of reuse.

Municipal solid waste (MSW)

The combined solid waste produced by homes and workplaces, often referred to as 'garbage' or 'trash'.

Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A large area in the North Pacific Ocean where debris and plastic waste accumulate due to ocean currents.

Hazardous waste

Discarded materials that are toxic, chemically reactive, corrosive, or flammable, posing risks to health and the environment.

E-waste

Electronic waste which often contains valuable materials such as gold and rare-earth metals.

Integrated waste management

Strategies for the disposal and reduction of waste that minimize environmental harm.

4 R's of Waste Prevention

Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle; strategies to prevent waste.

Bioremediation

The use of bacteria or enzymes to destroy or convert hazardous substances.

Plasma gasification

A waste treatment technology that vaporizes trash in the absence of oxygen, significantly reducing waste volume.