8.3 - SOLID DOMESTIC WASTE

Question 1

What is solid domestic waste?

Answer 1

Municipal solid waste, rubbish, includes paper, organic materials, glass, plastics, dust, metals, textiles, paint, electronic waste, etc.

Question 2

When is something considered waste?

Answer 2

When it has no value to the consumer or producer. (In LEDCs waste is collected tp reuse or resell).

Question 3

What are the problems with plastic?

Answer 3

Non-biodegradable, it is building up in oceans, mistaken for food by animals, release toxins, made from fossil fuels

Question 4

Examples of changes being made towards plastic use?

Answer 4

Charge for bags or ban on disposable plastic cutlery (France)

Question 5

Difference between linear and circular economies

Answer 5

Linear = take –> make –> distribute –> consume –> dump (current global economy, unsustainable)
Circular = produce–> distribute –> consume –> recycle (aims to use renewable energy and eliminate waste)

Question 6

What are ways of managing SDW?

Answer 6

Reduce (materials and packaging)
Reuse (second-hand materials)
Recycle
Composting (biodegradable materials)