Test: Environmental Awareness (Wastes) - Software Development MCQ

Municipal solid waste:

• Municipal solid waste (MSW) is more commonly known as trash or garbage
• It consists of everyday items we use and then throw away, such as product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint, and batteries
• It is the non-hazardous solid waste
• It comes from our homes, schools, hospitals, and local councils

Important points:

There are different methods of solid waste management. The following are some of the recognized methods:

• Sanitary landfill
• Incineration
• Recovery and Recycling
• Composting

• Waste produced in the health care sector can prove highly hazardous, more so in the pandemic era.
• Biomedical waste is any waste containing infectious or potentially infectious materials.
• These wastes are generated during the diagnosis, treatment, and immunization of humans and animals.
• Biomedical wastes can be in both solid and liquid forms. Examples of biomedical wastes include:
• Waste sharps such as needles, lancets, syringes, scalpels, and broken glass
• Human tissues or identifiable body parts (as a result of amputation)
• Animal tissues and waste from veterinary hospitals, Used bandages, dressings, gloves, and other medical supplies
• Liquid waste from infected areas, Laboratory wastes

Biomedical wastes are distinct from regular garbage and require particular disposal and treatment.

Important Points 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized biomedical waste into eight categories. They are:

• Infectious Waste – Any biomedical waste that is infectious or contaminated.
• Sharps – Sharps objects like needles, scalpels, broken glass, and razors.
• Pathological Waste – Body parts of humans or animals, including tissues, fluids, or blood.
• Pharmaceutical Waste – Unused drugs, medicine, or creams that are expiring.
• Genotoxic Waste – Toxic drugs and hazardous toxic waste
• Radioactive Waste – Any waste containing potentially radioactive materials
• Chemical Waste – Liquid waste from machines, batteries, and disinfectants is chemical.
• General/Other Waste – All other non-hazardous waste.

Additional Information

Color-coded bins to dispose of biomedical wastes:

Yellow Bin: For anatomical waste, chemical waste, soiled waste, chemotherapy waste, discarded linen and medicines, and laboratory waste.
Red Bin: For contaminated solid waste like infected dressings, and pop casts.
Blue Bin(Infected plastic): Syringes, gloves & cut glasses
Black Bin: For hazardous and other waste

White Bin: (Sharps) Needles & cut glasses

• Waste is unusable material. Waste comes in many forms.
• Waste can be categorized as:
  • solid waste (vegetable peels, trash cans and other such municipal waste),
  • liquid waste (water discharge from industries, harmful runoff from fields etc),
  • and gaseous waste (harmful gases released from industries).

Key Points

Solid waste management is one important challenge of urban bodies. It can be achieved by following the 5 R's of waste management which are:

Refuse:

• Refuse the usage of non-biodegradable products as much as possible.
• Example: Refuse using plastic bags and using jute bags or cloth bags.

Reduce: 

• If users cannot be refused completely, reduce the amount of consumption.
• Example: Reducing the use of single-use plastics.

Reuse:

• As much as possible try to use a substance for as long as and in as many ways as possible.
• Example: Reuse wrapping paper, plastic bags, boxes.

Repurpose:

• For every item that can't be refused, reduced, or reused, try repurposing it.
• Example: try using wasted printer paper for scrap paper, cardboard boxes for storing supplies, binder clips to hold power cords

Recycle:  

• Recycling is the most environmentally friendly waste disposal method, which means collecting waste and produce a new product from it.
• Example: recycling of glass can be made to produce new glass jars and bottles or tiles.

Important Points

Plastic bags:

• A plastic bag should be avoided because it is harmful to the environment and is difficult to degrade.
• If one cannot avoid the use of plastic bags they must reuse, repurpose or recycle plastic bags.

​Thus, the incorrect match is Plastic bags: Landfill

Additional Information

Composting:

• Due to a lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste is allowed to decompose in a medium designed for the purpose.
• Only biodegradable waste materials are used in composting. Example: kitchen waste
• Good quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the compost and can be used for agricultural purposes.
• It is the only sustainable means of waste disposal.​

Landfill:

• Landfill refers to the disposal of waste material by burying it.
• It is an extended storage area for non-biodegradable waste.
• Landfills may lead to contamination from the waste entering the area surrounding by soil and water and it also causes odour and pests.

Key Points 

Therefore the correct answer is (A) - (III), (B) - (I), (C) - (IV), (D) - (II)

Combustion or Burning:

• Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and gives off heat
• Waste like plastic and rubber tires can be burned using this combustion process
• These make use of the heat energy generated by the combustion & incineration process to electricity
• It is the most effective method of waste disposal at reducing the volume of solid waste
• It is not an acceptable practice, as it creates lots of pollution and it is harmful to both the environment as well as organisms

Important Points:

Recycling:

• It is the process of converting waste materials into reusable objects to prevent waste
• The materials from which the items are made can be reprocessed into new products
• Recycling such material saves the product and it also reduces the amount of manufacture to make new products
• It also helps in energy saving and reducing global climate change

Landfill or Burying:

• Landfill refers the disposal of waste material by burying it
• It is extended storage area for non-biodegradable waste
• Landfill is an area, which prevent contamination from the waste entering the area surrounding by soil and water and it also helps to reduce odour and pests

Composting:

• Due to lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste is allowed to decompose in a medium designed for the purpose
• Only biodegradable waste materials are used in composting
• Good quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the compost and can be used for agricultural purposes

Waste management (or waste disposal) includes the activities and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.This includes the collection, transport, treatment, and disposal of waste, together with monitoring and regulation of the waste management process.

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India- Waste generators would now have to now segregate waste into three streams- Biodegradables, Dry (Plastic, Paper, Metal, Wood, etc.), and Domestic Hazardous waste (diapers, napkins, mosquito repellants, cleaning agents etc.) before handing it over to the collector.

The order of waste management hierarchy, from most to least favored is:

Prevention-Reuse-Recycle-Recovery-Disposal

Prevention: Preventing and reducing waste generation.

Reuse: Giving the products a second life before they become waste.

Recycle Any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes.

Recovery: Some waste incineration based on a political non-scientific formula that upgrades the less inefficient incinerators.

Disposal: Different processes to dispose of the waste are landfilling, incineration, pyrolysis, gasification and other finalist solutions.

Therefore, a good example of waste management is recycling non biodegradable waste.

Avoiding and Reducing waste:

The highest priority of solid waste management is avoiding and reducing the generation of waste. It encourages the community, industry and government to reduce the amount of virgin materials extracted and used.

The goal is to maximize efficiency and avoid unnecessary consumption by the following methods.

• Selecting items with the least packaging or that require the fewest resources to produce
• Avoiding disposable goods or single-use materials
• Reuse of second-hand products, buying products that are recycled, recyclable, repairable, refillable, reusable or biodegradable
• Designing products to be refillable or reusable
• Repairing broken items instead of buying new

Key Points

Bio-Degradable:

• Substances that are broken down by biological processes (bacteria) are said to be biodegradable. 
• For example all living plants and animals, vegetables and fruits.

Non-Bio- Degradable:

• Substances that are not broken down by biological processes(bacteria) are said to be non-biodegradable.
• These substances may be inert and simply persist in the environment for a long time.
• They may harm the various members of the ecosystem.
• For example plastics, metals concrete, nylon etc. 

Important Points 

Thus, 

• Group 1: spoiled food, garden trimmings, paper, wood - Biodegradeable waste
• Group 2: plastic bags, toys, bottles, glass - Non-Bio Degradable waste

Additional Information 

• Zero Waste is a whole system approach to resource management centered on reducing, reusing, and recycling.
• Generally, “Zero Waste” is a philosophy of eliminating the generation of materials that have no viable or economic option for end-of-use management.
• To make recycling work people buy products made from recycle materials.

Key Points

Features of Zero Waste Management: 

• Separation of garbage at the source
• Separate collection of each kind of waste
• Involvement of the community in all activities

Benefits of Zero Waste Management:

• Reducing, reusing and recycling can be a key part of a climate change strategy to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
• Conserves resources and minimizes pollution
• Promotes social equity and builds community

Thus, all the above are the key features of Zero Waste Management. 

Additional InformationWays to achieve Zero Waste Management:

• Extended Producer Responsibility and Product Redesign
• Reduce Waste, Toxicity, Consumption, and Packaging
• Repair, Reuse and Donate
• Recycle
• Compost
• Down Cycle and Beneficial Reuse
• Waste-Based Energy as disposal​
• Landfill Waste as disposal

Concept:

Solid waste:

• Almost everything that we use degenerates and loses its utility over a period of time.
• Many things become unusable after we use them only once.
• Everything that we discard after it loses its usability is known as solid waste or garbage.
• All such wastes are not uniform in nature.
• Solid wastes can be divided into two distinct categories biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

Explanation:

Non-biodegradable waste:

• Non-biodegradable materials are those materials, which cannot be broken down easily, and retain their form for a long period of time.
• So, those in which there was no change are non-biodegradable materials.  
• For example, metals, tin, plastics etc.

Segregation of wastes:

• The “reuse, recycle, reduce and refuse” this slogan is associated with the practice of waste segregation and management.
• A new set of coloured trash cans are purchased.
• Each block has three distinct trash cans for the disposal of different kinds of waste.
• Waste that has been separated is now disposed of in designated green, blue, and yellow trash cans.
• Plastic wrappers and other non-biodegradable debris are intended for disposal in blue trash cans.

Thus, the blue colour of bins is used for non-biodegradable waste.

Additional InformationBiodegradabel waste:

• We define biodegradable materials as those substances made of organic matter, such as plant and animal matter, that can be easily broken down by nature.
• For example, vegetable peels and other kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, tea leaves, wood, etc.

Waste and their segregation tank colour:

Waste: Waste is unusable material. Waste comes in many forms

1. Solid waste: garbage, refuse, sludge
2. Liquid waste: wastewater, oil, fats, etc.
3. Organic waste: food waste, food-soiled paper, green waste
4. Hazardous waste: toxic elements, radioactive elements, etc.
5. E-waste: mobile, laptop, electronic devices, charger, etc.
6. Recyclable waste: food waste, garden waste, paper waste, textile waste, etc.​

Key Points

Incineration:

• This method involves burning solid wastes in a furnace until the wastes are turned into ashes.
• In this process, the combustible portion of the waste is combined with oxygen forming carbon dioxide and water, which are released into the atmosphere.
• Incinerators are made in such a way that they do not give off extreme amounts of heat when burning solid wastes.
• Suitable temperature and operating conditions are required to achieve incineration.
• It reduces the volume of waste up to 20 or 30% of the original volume.
• This method of solid waste management releases various greenhouses gases and harmful substances into the atmosphere like dioxins, furans and VOC.

​Thus, ​the process of burning non-biodegradable solid waste is called incineration.

Additional Information

Composting:

• Due to lack of adequate space for landfills, biodegradable yard waste is allowed to decompose in a medium designed for the purpose.
• Only biodegradable waste materials are used in composting.
• Good quality environmentally friendly manure is formed from the compost and can be used for agricultural purposes.
• It is the only sustainable means of waste disposal.

Landfill dumping:

• Landfill refers to the disposal of waste material by burying it.
• It is an extended storage area for non-biodegradable waste.
• Landfills may lead to contamination from the waste entering the area surrounded by soil and water and it also causes odour and pests.

​Segregation:

• "Waste segregation" means dividing waste into dry and wet.
• Dry waste includes wood and related products, metals and glass.
• Wet waste typically refers to organic waste usually generated by eating establishments and are heavy in weight due to dampness.
• Waste segregation is the grouping of waste into different categories.
• Segregation of waste ensures pure, quality material. 
• This helps in their eventual disposal.

Concept:-

Biomedical waste segregation chart:

Concept-

The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized biomedical waste into eight categories. They are:

• Infectious Waste – Any biomedical waste that is infectious or contaminated.
• Sharps – Sharps objects like needles, scalpels, broken glass, and razors.
• Pathological Waste – Body parts of humans or animals, including tissues, fluids, or blood.
• Pharmaceutical Waste – Unused drugs, medicine, or creams that are expiring.
• Genotoxic Waste – Toxic drugs and hazardous toxic waste
• Radioactive Waste – Any waste containing potentially radioactive materials
• Chemical Waste – Liquid waste from machines, batteries, and disinfectants is chemical.
• General/Other Waste – All other non-hazardous waste.

Waste management in India is done under Environment Protection Act, 1986. Violations of the law can result in imprisonment upto 5 years and/or fine up to Rs. 1,00,000.

Additional Information

Environment Protection Act, 1986

• The environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 along with the Environment Protection Rules 1986 amended in 1999.
• The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) of 1986 is umbrella legislation with wide legislative coverage.
• It gives wide powers to the central government to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment. Such measures include laying down standards for environmental quality, restricting areas of industrial operations, laying down procedures for handling hazardous substances, etc.
• The central government can close down offending industries and restrict the setting up of new industries at environmentally non-compatible sites.
• The Environment Rules of 1986 lay down procedures for the setting of emission and discharge standards.
• This Act empowers the Union Government to take direct action against defaulters.
• A host of notifications have been enacted under the EPA, such as those on Environmental Impact Assessment and Coastal Regulation Zones. 

Concept:

Hazardous waste: Hazardous waste is waste that has substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment.

Characteristics: Hazardous wastes are the materials that are known or tested to exhibit one or more of the following hazardous traits:

• Ignitability
• Corrosivity
• Reactivity
• Toxicity

Important Point

The most common methods for disposing of hazardous waste are:

• Land disposal
• Incineration

If there is abundant land is available for the disposal of waste, land disposal is used. If there is no abundant land is available for disposal of waste, incineration is used.

• Waste is unusable material. Waste comes in many forms.
• Waste can be categorized as:
  • solid waste (vegetable peels, trash cans and other such municipal waste),
  • liquid waste (water discharge from industries, harmful runoff from fields etc),
  • and gaseous waste (harmful gases released from industries).
• Waste management is a burning problem in urban, industrial and rural areas.
• Wastes management involves the following steps:
  • Collection of wastes
  • Segregation of wastes
  • Transportation of waste
  • Treatment of wastes
  • Disposal of wastes

Key Points

Segregation of waste: 

• The wastes are segregated according to their chemical composition, hazard potential and physical nature.
• Waste segregation can occur manually at the household and be collected through curbside collection schemes.
• "Waste segregation" means dividing waste into dry and wet.
• Dry waste includes wood and related products, metals and glass.
• Wet waste typically refers to organic waste usually generated by eating establishments and are heavy in weight due to dampness.
• Waste segregation is the grouping of waste into different categories.
• Segregation of waste ensures pure, quality material. 
• This helps in their eventual disposal.
• Segregation of waste in India is one of the major obstacles in managing municipal solid wastes.
• Segregation of waste in India is only limited to a few urban areas.

Thus, the biggest obstacle in managing municipal solid wastes in India is waste segregation.

The correct answer is 14 October.

Key Points

• International E-Waste Day is observed on 14 October every year.
• The day was established by the WEEE Forum, an international association of e-waste collection schemes. 
• Mountain of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) for 2021 will total about 57.4 million tonnes — greater than the weight of the Great Wall of China, the earth’s heaviest artificial object.

Important Points

• ​This year's International E-Waste Day will highlight the crucial role each of us plays in making e-product circularity a reality.
• According to the United Nations, by 2021, each person on the planet would produce an average of 7.6 kg of e-waste, resulting in a global total of 57.4 million tonnes of e-waste.
• Only 17.4 per cent of this electronic garbage, which contains a combination of hazardous compounds and valuable materials, will be appropriately collected, processed, and recycled.

The process flow in an integrated solid waste management system is:

Generation-Source Separation-Collection-Facility Separation-Transfer and Transport-Landfill

The correct answer is wood.

Concept:

Segregation of Waste: Waste Can be segregated as

• Bio-Degradable Waste: 
  • Waste that can be decomposed by microorganisms. 
  • It includes organic waste, e.g. kitchen waste, vegetables, fruits, flowers, leaves, wood, and paper.​
• Non-Bio Degradable Waste:
  • ​Waste that cannot be decomposed by microorganisms.
  • It includes plastic, rubber, glass, electronic waste, etc. 

Explanation:

Non-Biodegradables can be disposed of by following the 3Rs: 

• Reduce: If the old objects (bags, water bottles, clothes) are in good condition, it's better to keep using them rather than buying new things. 
• Reuse: Jam or pickle jars or plastic bottles can be used again to store small objects like buttons. 
• Recycle: Paper, glass, some plastics, and metals can be recycled. 

Wood is biodegradable, it can be made into compost but cannot be recycled. 

Waste: Waste is unusable material. Waste comes in many forms

1. Solid waste: garbage, refuse, sludge
2. Liquid waste: wastewater, oil, fats, etc.
3. Organic waste: food waste, food-soiled paper, green waste
4. Hazardous waste: toxic elements, radioactive elements, etc.
5. E-waste: mobile, laptop, electronic devices, charger, etc.
6. Recyclable waste: food waste, garden waste, paper waste, textile waste, etc.

Key-Points

Hazardous waste: Hazardous waste is waste that has substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment.

Characteristics: Hazardous wastes are the materials that are known or tested to exhibit one or more of the following hazardous traits:

• Ignitability
• Corrosivity
• Reactivity
• Toxicity

From the above examples, it is clear that chemical as a toxic element is hazardous in nature.