Waste Management and Recycling Concepts

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to waste management and environmental impact.

Chris Jordan's 'Gyre'

A painting made of 2.4 million pieces of plastic collected from the Pacific Ocean, symbolizing plastic pollution.

Linear Economy

An economic model where products are created to be used and disposed of, leading to increased waste.

Integrated Waste Management

A comprehensive approach to managing waste that includes reduction, reuse, recycling, and safe disposal.

Sanitary Landfills

Engineered landfills designed to minimize environmental contamination.

Leachate

A hazardous liquid formed when rainwater filters through waste and collects chemicals.

Landfill Gas

A mix of gases, including methane, produced by the decomposition of organic material in landfills.

Decommissioning

The process of shutting down an industrial site to prepare for cleanup and repurposing.

Methane

A greenhouse gas produced in landfills, primarily from decomposing organic materials.

Source Reduction

The practice of reducing waste before it is created, through better design and efficiency.

Waste-to-Energy Facilities

Plants that convert waste into energy through combustion, thereby reducing landfill use.