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What is Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)?
Commonly referred to as trash or garbage, generated from households, businesses, and institutions.
What are the main components of MSW?
Approximately ⅓ paper and ⅔ organic materials, which are compostable.
Why is e-waste hazardous?
It contains toxic metals like cadmium and lead that can leach into the environment.
What does 'waste stream' refer to?
The flow of solid waste from its source to disposal facilities, including recycling centers and landfills.
What is a sanitary landfill?
An engineered site designed to safely contain waste and prevent environmental contamination.
What are the key construction features of sanitary landfills?
A clay/plastic liner, leachate collection system, and methane recovery system.
What environmental issues can arise from landfills?
Groundwater contamination and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and carbon dioxide.
What are the Three Rs in waste management?
Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling.
What is the most sustainable option among the Three Rs?
Reducing consumption.
What are the benefits of recycling?
It reduces the demand for new raw materials, conserves energy, and decreases landfill volume.
What are some challenges of recycling?
It can be costly, energy-intensive, and susceptible to contamination.
What is composting?
The decomposition of organic matter under controlled conditions to reduce landfill volume.
What is the ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio for composting?
Approximately 30:1 of browns (carbon-rich) to greens (nitrogen-rich).
What health risks are associated with e-waste?
Leaching of hazardous heavy metals into soil and groundwater, and toxic exposure during processing.
What is a major environmental consequence of illegal ocean dumping?
The formation of large garbage patches that threaten marine life.
What does waste-to-energy (WTE) technology involve?
The incineration of waste materials to reduce volume and generate electricity.
What stages are involved in sewage treatment?
Primary, secondary, tertiary treatment, and disinfection.
What is LD50 in toxicology?
The lethal dose of a substance for 50% of a test population.
What is synergism in the context of pollutants?
When two or more substances interact to produce a greater effect than their individual impacts.
What causes dysentery?
Contaminated food or water, leading to severe dehydration.
What is an effective strategy to prevent diseases like malaria?
Monitoring and controlling vector populations.
