Free Solid Waste Management Certification Question and Answers

Question 1

Passed to limit ocean dumping of any wastes that would adversely affect human health or the marine environment.
- Waste sources regulated in this act include runoff from land, point source discharges, dumping of dredged materials, operational discharges from ships and off-shore platforms, and accidental spills.

Accepted Answer

1972 Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)

Answer

The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, passed in 1972, is often referred to as the Ocean Dumping Act. Its purpose is to regulate ocean dumping to protect human health and the marine environment from adverse effects caused by waste disposal. This act regulates various waste sources, including runoff from land, point-source discharges, dumping of dredged materials, operational discharges from ships and offshore platforms, and accidental spills. The MPRSA aims to prevent pollution of the oceans and maintain their health and ecological balance by managing and controlling waste disposal practices.

Question 2

Legislation responsible for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- One of the EPA's major responsibilities is to determine the environmental impact of a project. As civil engineers, we will have to write Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's) and preform environmental assessments (EAs) to identify a project's impact on the environment

Accepted Answer

1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Answer

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 was responsible for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NEPA requires federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into their decision-making processes by requiring them to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for major projects that could significantly impact the environment. These statements evaluate the potential environmental effects of proposed projects and provide the public with an understanding of the environmental consequences before decisions are made. Additionally, agencies must conduct Environmental Assessments (EAs) to determine if a project will have significant environmental impacts that would necessitate the preparation of an EIS. This legislation aims to promote the enhancement of the environment and ensure that environmental factors are considered in federal decision-making processes.

Question 3

Several amendments to RCRA were passed to protect groundwater.
- Imposed new regulations on underground storage tanks, developed new landfill liner standards for double liners, leachate collection systems, groundwater monitoring, and leak detection systems.

Accepted Answer

1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA)

Answer

The 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) were passed as amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These amendments introduced several measures to protect groundwater from contamination caused by hazardous waste. Specifically, HSWA imposed new regulations on underground storage tanks, including requirements for leak detection systems and groundwater monitoring. It also established new standards for landfill liners, requiring double liners and leachate collection systems to prevent groundwater pollution from waste disposal sites. These amendments aimed to strengthen the management of hazardous and solid waste to reduce environmental and public health risks associated with improper waste disposal.

Question 4

Addresses the problem of hazardous waste as well as specifies guidelines for nonhazardous solid waste disposal.
- Subtitle D of RCRA is the municipal solid waste section and overviews standards used today in the building of landfills.
- Subtitle C deals directly with hazardous wastes

Accepted Answer

1976 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Answer

RCRA plays a crucial role in managing both hazardous and nonhazardous solid waste to protect public health and the environment from the adverse impacts of improper waste disposal.

Question 5

Just south of Jefferson County (Louisville, KY) was a 23 acre site in which A.L. Taylor took in industrial waste.
He would excavate pits on the site, empty the contents into the pits and recycle the drums.

Accepted Answer

Valley of the Drums

Answer

The Valley of the Drums refers to a specific hazardous waste site located just south of Jefferson County (Louisville, KY). The site, spanning approximately 23 acres, was operated by A.L. Taylor, who excavated pits on the property to dispose of industrial waste. Taylor emptied the contents of drums into these pits and often recycled the drums themselves.

SWANA - Solid Waste Association of North America Practice Test

SWANA - Solid Waste Association of North America Practice Test

Free Solid Waste Management Certification Question and Answers