CRP Composting & Organics Recycling 3

Question 1

What does 'source separation' mean in the context of a municipal organics collection program?

Accepted Answer

Residents and businesses separating organic materials from other waste at the point of generation

Answer

Separating food waste from yard waste at the processing facility

Answer

Using mechanical equipment at a transfer station to extract organics from mixed waste

Answer

Sorting organics by contamination level during transport to the composting facility

Question 2

Which type of screening equipment is most commonly used in composting facilities to separate finished compost by particle size?

Accepted Answer

Trommel screen

Answer

Air classifier

Answer

Magnetic separator

Answer

Eddy current separator

Question 3

What are the two primary outputs of anaerobic digestion of organic waste?

Accepted Answer

Biogas and digestate

Answer

Finished compost and process heat

Answer

Liquid fertilizer and carbon dioxide only

Answer

Hydrogen gas and inert solid ash

Question 4

What is the primary function of adding wood chips or other bulking agents to a food waste compost pile?

Accepted Answer

To improve pile porosity and support adequate oxygen flow for aerobic decomposition

Answer

To supply additional nitrogen to balance high-carbon feedstocks

Answer

To reduce pile temperature when the mass is overheating

Answer

To introduce beneficial microorganisms that accelerate decomposition

Question 5

What is 'digestate' in the context of an anaerobic digestion facility?

Accepted Answer

The solid and liquid residue remaining after anaerobic digestion is complete

Answer

The biogas captured during the digestion process

Answer

The biological enzyme used to break down organic feedstocks

Answer

The pre-treated organic feedstock prepared before entering the digester

Question 6

According to the EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy, which action holds the highest priority for managing surplus food and food waste?

Accepted Answer

Source reduction — preventing food waste from being generated in the first place

Answer

Composting food scraps for soil amendment

Answer

Donating excess food to food banks and community organizations

Answer

Converting food waste to energy through anaerobic digestion

Question 7

What is a major operational challenge commonly encountered in residential curbside organics collection programs?

Accepted Answer

High contamination rates from non-organic items placed in the organics bin

Answer

Insufficient quantities of organic material from single-family households

Answer

Lack of commercial composting facilities to process collected material nationally

Answer

Federal regulations restricting the transport of organic materials across county lines