Environmental Science 13 Module 21: Solid Waste and Sewage Treatment

What is the primary cause of leachate formation in landfills?

What is the primary byproduct of the anaerobic degradation of organic matter in landfills?

What is the purpose of flares in modern landfills?

What is the main issue with older solid waste combustion facilities?

What is the main objective of the three R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) in waste management?

What is the primary issue with incomplete decomposition of the waste pile in landfills?

What is the main purpose of a sanitary landfill?

What is the main problem associated with sanitary landfills?

What percentage of household waste is considered 'true waste'?

What type of waste is excluded from the definition of solid waste in the text?

What is the main purpose of the learning objectives outlined in the text?

Solid Waste

Solid waste is the total of all materials thrown away from homes and commercial establishments, excluding hazardous wastes and industrial non-hazardous wastes.
Waste disposal methods include recycling, sanitary landfills, and incineration.
The majority of waste materials, particularly paper products, could be recycled or composted.
Only 10% of materials households get rid of qualify as true waste.

Sanitary Landfills

In sanitary landfills, waste is put in the ground, covered with dirt, and left to decompose.
This method is still widely used today, often handling 50% or more of waste in North America.
Problems with this approach include:
- Generation of leachate, which can contaminate groundwater if the landfill site is not properly designed.
- Production of methane (CH4), a byproduct of anaerobic degradation of organic matter, which is noxious and highly flammable.

Modern Landfills and Alternatives

Modern landfills are equipped with flares to burn methane generated by the waste pile.
Methane can be collected as a source of energy and used to generate electricity.
Novel landfill designs address issues with incomplete decomposition and leachate collection.
Landfill alternatives include garbage combustion, but this has its own set of issues, such as pollution and hazardous ash residue.

The Three R's

The objectives of the three R's are to decrease the amount of disposable waste produced and the consumption of virgin resources.
The three R's stand for reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Reducing waste production is the most effective manner to manage waste.

This quiz covers the topics of solid waste and sewage treatment in Module 21 of Environmental Science 13. Learn about the processing methods, challenges, and alternatives for treating solid waste and sewage, as well as the wastewater treatment process.