CPWM Recycling and Resource Recovery 3

Question 1

When calculating a community's diversion rate, which of the following materials is typically EXCLUDED from the diversion calculation denominator?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are typically excluded

Answer

Many jurisdictions exclude C&D debris and HHW from the diversion rate base because these materials are collected through separate programs and skew the residential recycling metric.

Question 2

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging places the financial and physical burden of end-of-life management on:

Accepted Answer

Producers and brand owners

Answer

EPR shifts the cost and responsibility for post-consumer packaging collection and recycling from municipalities and taxpayers to the companies that produce and sell the packaging.

Question 3

Which recycling market disruption event in 2018 most significantly impacted US MRF economics?

Accepted Answer

China's National Sword policy

Answer

China's National Sword policy set a 0.5% contamination threshold on imported recyclables, effectively banning most US mixed recyclables and collapsing commodity revenues for MRFs.

Question 4

In anaerobic digestion for resource recovery, the primary energy product generated is:

Accepted Answer

Biogas (methane-rich)

Answer

Anaerobic digestion of organic waste produces biogas, which is approximately 50–70% methane and can be used for electricity generation, heat, or upgraded to renewable natural gas.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a 'commodity risk fund' or revenue-sharing model in MRF contracts?

Accepted Answer

To share both gains and losses from commodity price volatility between the MRF and municipality

Answer

Revenue-sharing or commodity risk arrangements align incentives by distributing market risk and reward between the operator and the contracting municipality, stabilizing program finances.

(CPWM) Certified Professional in Waste Management Practice Test

(CPWM) Certified Professional in Waste Management Practice Test

CPWM Recycling and Resource Recovery 3