Flashcards for Waste Management and Product Eco-Design

1. Front: What are the 5 R's of waste management? Back: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot.

2. Front: What is the cradle-to-cradle concept? Back: A sustainable production strategy where products are designed to be reused or recycled indefinitely, mimicking natural ecosystems.

3. Front: What are the two main types of recycling? Back:

   • Closed-loop recycling: Recycling materials into similar products.

   • Secondary recycling: Recycling materials into different products.

4. Front: What is a life cycle assessment (LCA)? Back: A method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product from its creation (cradle) to its disposal (grave).

5. Front: What is e-waste, and why is it a problem? Back: E-waste refers to discarded electronic devices. It poses environmental and health risks due to hazardous materials like heavy metals.

Flashcards for Pollution

1. Front: What is phytoremediation? Back: The use of plants and trees to clean up pollutants like metals, pesticides, and leachates from contaminated sites.

2. Front: What is the Basel Convention? Back: An international treaty aimed at reducing hazardous waste generation, promoting environmentally sound management, and restricting transboundary movement of hazardous waste.

3. Front: What is the primary difference between composting and incineration for waste disposal? Back: Composting decomposes organic waste for reuse in soil, while incineration burns waste to generate energy but can release pollutants.

4. Front: What is the environmental justice issue associated with e-waste? Back: E-waste is often exported to developing countries where it is improperly disposed of, causing health and environmental problems.

5. Front: What are PAHs, and why are they concerning? Back: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic chemicals released during the incomplete burning of organic matter, causing pollution and health risks.

Flashcards for Green Buildings & Cities

1. Front: What are the key features of a green building? Back: Energy efficiency, water efficiency, non-toxic materials, and waste recycling systems.

2. Front: What is urban sprawl, and why is it problematic? Back: Urban sprawl refers to low-density, automobile-dependent development patterns that result in habitat destruction, pollution, and inefficient land use.

3. Front: What is a green wall? Back: A vertical structure covered in vegetation, which provides insulation, absorbs CO2, and enhances urban aesthetics.

4. Front: How can cities be made more livable and sustainable? Back: By incorporating eco-friendly designs, reducing pollution, promoting public transportation, and creating green spaces.

5. Front: What is bird-friendly design in urban planning? Back: Designing buildings and urban structures to prevent bird collisions, such as using glass that mimics the sky.