Climate Change Waste Management & Recycling 2

Question 1

What percentage of municipal solid waste in the US is currently recycled or composted?

Accepted Answer

About 32%

Answer

The US recycles or composts approximately 32% of its municipal solid waste, according to EPA data.

Question 2

Which gas produced by landfills is a potent greenhouse gas that can be captured for energy?

Accepted Answer

Methane

Answer

Landfills produce methane as organic waste decomposes anaerobically, and many facilities capture it to generate electricity.

Question 3

What is 'downcycling' in the context of recycling?

Accepted Answer

Recycling materials into lower-quality products

Answer

Downcycling refers to recycling a material into a product of lesser quality or utility than the original, such as turning plastic bottles into carpet fiber.

Question 4

Which waste management approach is considered the most environmentally preferred according to the EPA waste hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Source reduction and reuse

Answer

The EPA's waste management hierarchy places source reduction — producing less waste in the first place — at the top as the most preferred approach.

Question 5

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a climate concern primarily because it contains what?

Accepted Answer

Toxic heavy metals and valuable rare materials requiring energy-intensive extraction

Answer

E-waste contains toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury plus rare materials that require enormous energy and mining to replace if not recovered.

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Practice Test

Climate Change Waste Management & Recycling 2