Recycling and Resource Recovery Flashcards

Which federal program certifies that products meet minimum recycled content standards for procurement by federal agencies?

Answer: EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)

The EPA's CPG program designates products with minimum recycled content thresholds and requires federal agencies to give procurement preference to these designated items.

In a drop-off recycling program serving a rural county, which factor most significantly affects program cost-effectiveness?

Answer: Collection site density and haul distance to the MRF

In rural programs, low population density means higher per-ton collection costs, and long transport distances to processors drive up haul costs, making site placement critical to economic viability.

What is the primary regulatory concern when a company uses 'recycled' as a marketing claim for a product containing 30% pre-consumer scrap?

Answer: FTC Green Guides require disclosure of the type of recycled content (pre- vs. post-consumer)

The FTC Green Guides direct marketers to disclose whether recycled content is pre-consumer or post-consumer when making recycled content claims, as post-consumer is generally considered more environmentally significant.

Which material in a mixed recyclables stream is most effectively separated using an eddy current separator?

Answer: Aluminum cans and foil

Eddy current separators use a rapidly rotating magnetic field to induce currents in non-ferrous metals like aluminum, repelling them from the belt and separating them from other materials.

A municipality considering adopting a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program expects which primary outcome related to recycling?

Answer: Increased diversion rates as residents have a financial incentive to recycle more

PAYT programs charge residents based on the volume or weight of trash set out, creating a direct financial incentive to recycle and compost more to reduce their trash bill.

What does the term 'secondary materials' refer to in the context of resource recovery and RCRA regulations?

Answer: Materials that have been used and are potentially recyclable but may still be subject to waste regulations

Secondary materials are post-use materials that may be recycled or reclaimed; their regulatory status under RCRA depends on whether they meet criteria for solid and/or hazardous waste.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used in recycling program planning primarily to:

Answer: Quantify environmental impacts across all stages of a material's life to compare management options

LCA evaluates the full environmental footprint—energy, emissions, water use—of a material from extraction through disposal, helping decision-makers choose the most environmentally beneficial management strategy.