CPWM Sustainable Waste Management and Resource Recovery 2

Question 1

Which metric is used to measure the efficiency of a material recovery facility (MRF) in diverting waste from landfill?

Accepted Answer

Diversion rate

Answer

Tipping fee

Answer

Leachate volume

Answer

Gate receipt ratio

Question 2

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs primarily shift the cost burden of end-of-life management to:

Accepted Answer

Product manufacturers and brand owners

Answer

Municipal taxpayers

Answer

Waste haulers

Answer

Recycling cooperatives

Question 3

In life cycle assessment (LCA), the 'system boundary' determines:

Accepted Answer

Which stages and processes are included in the analysis

Answer

The geographic area of waste collection

Answer

The weight limit for each waste stream

Answer

The regulatory compliance threshold

Question 4

A deposit-refund system for beverage containers is best described as a:

Accepted Answer

Economic instrument incentivizing return and reuse

Answer

Command-and-control regulation

Answer

Voluntary industry stewardship agreement

Answer

Landfill disposal ban

Question 5

What is the primary purpose of a 'waste characterization study'?

Accepted Answer

To identify the composition and quantity of waste streams

Answer

To calculate landfill tipping fees

Answer

To assess groundwater contamination at a landfill

Answer

To rank waste management vendors

Question 6

Which approach best exemplifies 'industrial symbiosis' in sustainable waste management?

Accepted Answer

One company's waste byproduct becoming another company's raw material

Answer

A city banning single-use plastics

Answer

A landfill installing a leachate collection system

Answer

A municipality offering curbside recycling pickup

Question 7

The 'precautionary principle' in waste management suggests that when scientific uncertainty exists, regulators should:

Accepted Answer

Take preventive action to avoid potential harm

Answer

Delay action until full data is available

Answer

Defer to industry self-regulation

Answer

Apply the least-cost management option