What is the waste stream?
The steady flow of varied waste we all produce.
What is a gyre?
Vast circulating currents in the ocean that collect floating plastic debris.
Name three things recycling saves.
Money, energy, and time.
Name two ways we can make hazardous materials less toxic.
Use charcoal or resin filters, distillation, precipitation & immobilization in ceramic, fuse metals and/or radioactive materials with silica, incineration, and chemical processing.
Name the four types of waste.
Municipal solid waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, and mining and metal processing waste.
Why don't U.S. cities dump waste into the oceans anymore?
Because of federal legislation like the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act.
What are the benefits of composting?
Compost helps moisture retention, provides the soil with nutrients, reduces waste, and reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
What is permanent retrievable storage?
Waste is stored in a salt mine of bedrock cavern where it can be inspected periodically.
What are some examples of materials included in the waste stream?
Organic materials, juked cars, consumer products, newspapers, magazines, and garden waste.
What are some harms of e-waste?
Exposing humans and animals to toxic materials like mercury, lead, etc.
Name the best way to deal with waste.
Reducing.
Name three things that substances have to be in order to be considered hazardous waste.
Toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, corrosive explosive, undergo chemical reactions, teratogenic, etc.
What two things related to waste are rising every day?
Our per-capita waste and recycling rates.
What is refuse-derived fuel?
The incinerated leftover waste used for energy or heat.
Why should we care about waste?
Waste doesn't disappear and continues to pollute the environment.
Which two important federal laws have a goal of rapid containment of hazardous waste and remediation of toxic waste sites?
RCRA (The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) and CERCLA or Superfund Act (The Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Conservation, and Liability Act)