NEHA Solid Waste Management

Question 1

Which federal law is the primary statute governing solid waste disposal in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Answer

Clean Air Act

Answer

Comprehensive Environmental Response Act

Answer

Safe Drinking Water Act

Question 2

What is the primary environmental concern associated with sanitary landfills?

Accepted Answer

Leachate contamination of groundwater

Answer

Air noise pollution

Answer

Electromagnetic interference

Answer

Light pollution

Question 3

What does the term 'integrated solid waste management' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A hierarchy combining source reduction, recycling, composting, and disposal

Answer

Using only incineration for waste disposal

Answer

Transporting waste across state lines

Answer

Mandatory recycling only

Question 4

Which gas is the primary component of landfill gas generated by decomposing organic waste?

Accepted Answer

Methane

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Answer

Hydrogen sulfide

Answer

Ammonia

Question 5

Under RCRA Subtitle D, which entity is primarily responsible for regulating municipal solid waste landfills?

Accepted Answer

State environmental agencies

Answer

Federal EPA

Answer

Local municipalities

Answer

Army Corps of Engineers

Question 6

What is the purpose of a liner system in a sanitary landfill?

Accepted Answer

To prevent leachate from migrating into the soil and groundwater

Answer

To reduce odors from the landfill

Answer

To contain landfill gas emissions

Answer

To stabilize the landfill surface for equipment