NEHA Solid Waste Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which solid waste management strategy is ranked highest in the EPA's solid waste management hierarchy?
- Recycling
- Composting
- Source reduction and reuse (Correct answer)
- Energy recovery
Correct answer: Source reduction and reuse
Source reduction and reuse are ranked highest in the EPA hierarchy because preventing waste generation is more effective than managing waste after it is created.
Question 2: What is the minimum daily cover requirement for active sanitary landfill working faces under federal criteria?
- 3 inches of soil or approved alternative
- 6 inches of soil or approved alternative (Correct answer)
- 12 inches of soil or approved alternative
- 18 inches of soil or approved alternative
Correct answer: 6 inches of soil or approved alternative
Federal criteria under 40 CFR Part 258 require a minimum of 6 inches of earthen material or approved alternative as daily cover to control vectors, fires, odors, and litter.
Question 3: Which type of waste is classified as 'universal waste' under RCRA regulations?
- Household garbage
- Batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (Correct answer)
- Construction debris
- Medical sharps
Correct answer: Batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment
Universal wastes include batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (such as thermostats and lamps), and aerosol cans, managed under streamlined RCRA universal waste rules.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of the groundwater monitoring program required at municipal solid waste landfills?
- To measure rainfall infiltration rates
- To detect landfill leachate releases that may contaminate groundwater (Correct answer)
- To monitor surface water runoff quality
- To measure landfill gas migration
Correct answer: To detect landfill leachate releases that may contaminate groundwater
Groundwater monitoring programs at MSW landfills are designed to detect the release of leachate constituents that may indicate contamination of underlying groundwater resources.
Question 5: What does 'postclosure care' require for a closed municipal solid waste landfill?
- Immediate redevelopment for commercial use
- At least 30 years of monitoring, maintenance, and control (Correct answer)
- Excavation and removal of all waste
- Transfer of ownership to the federal government
Correct answer: At least 30 years of monitoring, maintenance, and control
Federal regulations require at least 30 years of postclosure care, including groundwater monitoring, leachate collection system maintenance, and landfill gas system operation.
Question 6: What is the primary advantage of waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration over landfilling?
- It is less expensive to operate
- It reduces waste volume by up to 90% and generates electricity (Correct answer)
- It eliminates all toxic byproducts
- It requires no air pollution controls
Correct answer: It reduces waste volume by up to 90% and generates electricity
WTE incineration can reduce the volume of municipal solid waste by up to 90% while simultaneously generating electricity from the combustion heat.
NEHA Solid Waste Management 2
Which solid waste management strategy is ranked highest in the EPA's solid waste management hierarchy?