WASTE MANAGEMENT I & II

Q1. What is waste? Name two sources of waste.

A1. The term 'waste' refers to any material that is discarded because it has served its
purpose and is no longer useful. Two sources of waste are-
1. Domestic waste like food leftovers, bits of paper etc.
2. Industrial waste like paints, sand, fly ash etc.
Q2. How is the 'use and throw' concept responsible for the increase in waste generation?
A2. The 'use and throw' concept means to use any product only once and then dispose it.
For example, suppose we purchase a pen. After the ink is finished, we throw it away
and buy a new pen instead of buying a refill and reusing the pen. If this example is
followed by many people, the amount of waste will definitely increase in volume.
Thus, the 'use and throw' concept is responsible for the increase in waste generation.
Q3. What is biomagnification? What can be its effects on humans?
A3. Biomagnification refers to the increase in the concentration of various toxic substances
along the food chain.
Toxic substances at the level of primary producers get concentrated at each trophic
level as they move up the food chain. The phenomenon of concentrated toxic
deposition at the higher trophic level is known as bio-accumulation.
For example, if there are traces of toxic chemicals in water, then their concentration in
algae will be much higher. When fish eat the algae, the concentration of toxins will
increase further. Therefore, accumulation of a small amount of toxic chemicals in
water can have a serious impact on the fish that live in it. Further, when the fish are
consumed by humans and other animals, these toxins can cause various kinds of
diseases in them.
Q4. Explain briefly the need for management of waste.
A4. The problem with waste is that it remains in our environment. We move waste from
one place to another but never get rid of it completely. Nature has recycled waste
materials for millions of years. However, human population has increased so rapidly
during the last century that the environment is now threatened by our activities and the
wastes they produce. Much damage is done to the environment by the pollution of air,
degradation of soils and contamination of water sources like rivers, lakes etc.
There is a close connection between the waste, pollution and the damage to the
environment. Waste causes pollution, which in turn causes the damage. The dangers
posed by global pollution due to accumulation of wastes, threaten the survival of the
ecosystem and call for the need to manage waste.
Q5. Why is the handling of solid wastes a major problem?
A5. The handling of solid waste is a problem because most disposal methods cause harm
to the environment. Both open dumps and landfills may contain toxins that seep into
the soil and the water bodies and cause soil and water pollution respectively.
The uncontrolled burning of waste creates smoke and other air pollutants that release
toxic substances into the environment and cause air pollution. Scavengers and stray
animals invade the open garbage dumps and spread the waste over a large area,
thereby, spreading germs and diseases as well as destroying the beauty of the place.
Q6. What do you mean by segregation of waste? How does it ensure safe waste disposal?
A6. Segregation of waste means dividing the waste into different categories like dry and
wet or biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
 When waste is segregated, there occurs a reduction in the volume of waste that reaches
the landfills. Air and water pollution is considerably reduced and it becomes easier to
apply different processes of waste disposal like composting, recycling and
incineration.
Q7. What is meant by open dumping of waste? Why is open dumping not considered as an
environment friendly method?
A7. In open dumping, waste materials are dumped in open low lands far away from the
city.
This method is not environment friendly as the open pits spoil the sight of the area and
become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, insects, etc., that are the carriers of
harmful diseases. They give out foul odour. The burning of waste material in the open
dumps pollutes the air.
Another danger of open dumping is that rainwater could carry the harmful substances
to the nearby streams, ponds or lakes and if the water seeps down it could pollute the
groundwater.
Q8. What is a sanitary landfill?
A8. Sanitary landfill is a way of disposing refuse on land without creating nuisances or
hazards to public health and safety. The waste disposal is carried out with minimal
environmental damage and in areas already spoiled or in need of restoration.
Q9. What is biodegradable waste? Name two useful products which can be made from
biodegradable domestic waste.
A9. Waste which is organic in nature and can be decomposed or broken down by living
organisms is called biodegradable waste. For example- stale food, rotten fruits and
vegetables etc. Two useful products which can be made from biodegradable domestic
waste are compost and biogas.
Q10. State three steps that should be taken by the municipal authorities for the safe disposal
of solid waste.
A10. The following three steps should be taken by the municipal authorities for the safe
disposal of solid waste-
1. Organising house to house collection of municipal solid wastes.
2. Biomedical waste and industrial waste should not be mixed with municipal solid
waste. The waste should be segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
3. Stray animals should not be allowed to move around waste disposal facilities.
Q11. What is composting? Give two advantages of using compost.
A11. Composting of waste in an aerobic method of decomposing solid wastes. The organic
wastes from households are made to undergo decomposition in such a way that
bacteria and other micro-organisms break them down and produce a safe, clean and
soil like material called compost.
Two advantages of using compost are-
1. It enhances soil nutrients and water retention capacity of soil.
2. It suppresses plant diseases.
Q12. What are the three R's of waste management?
A12. The three R's of waste management are-
1. Reducing the waste
2. Reusing the waste
3. Recycling the waste
Q13. What is meant by recycling of waste effectively? Give one example.
A13. Recycling is a process by which wastes are converted into reusable products, thereby
reducing the usage of raw material and energy and controlling air, water and soil
pollution.
Recycling of waste effectively means to recycle an item till it cannot be recycled
further and cannot be utilised any more.
For example, in India, we have tonnes of bagasse from sugarcane during a particular
season. Bagasse is used in the manufacture of paper pulp and this helps to save trees
which are normally used for making paper pulp.
Q14. What is acid rain? State its impact on the environment.
A14. Acid rain means the presence of excessive acids in rainwater.
Burning of coal, wood and petroleum produce sulphur and nitrogen. These two react
with oxygen and are converted into their respective oxides- sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen dioxide, which are soluble in water.
During rain, these oxides react with large quantities of water vapour in the atmosphere
to form acids like sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, nitric acid and nitrous acid. These
acids, when they precipitate together with rain or snow form acid rain.
Impact of acid rain on the environment are as follows-
1. Acid rain increases the acidity in the soil and destroys forests and crops; It corrodes
buildings, monuments, statues, bridges, fences and railings; It poses a serious threat to
human health, since it contaminates air and water; Aquatic species are affected due to
acid rain; Acid rain affects plant growth. Plant leaves get burnt and dry.
Q15. What is meant by Ozone layer depletion? How is it harmful?
A15. Ozone layer depletion is the thinning of the ozone layer present in the upper
atmosphere. This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere
come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules.
It is harmful because the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet rays of the sun. But depletion
of ozone layer allows the ultraviolet rays of the sun to reach the Earth directly without
any obstacle or filtration.
Ultraviolet rays can harm the environment in the following ways-
1. They cause many diseases like skin cancer and cataract; They can cause genetic
disorders which ultimately affect heredity; They disturb the ecological balance in
marine ecosystem; They can damage physical and chemical properties of any complex
chemical substance.
Q16. What is E-waste? Why is it increasing at a fast rate?
A16. E-waste or electronic waste refers to various forms of electric and electronic
equipment that have ceased to be of any value to its users because they have exhausted
their utility value due to redundancy, replacement or breakage.
With advancement in Information Technology, new electronic goods are being
produced at a fast rate and this results in an increase in volume of obsolete electronic
products. In fact, e-waste is one of the fastest growing waste, constituting more than
5% of all municipal solid waste.
Q17. Explain briefly how does the industrial waste reach the human beings and affect their
health.
A17. Industries dealing with chemicals, pulp and paper, food processing, etc. produce
various kinds of waste material. The smoke coming out from the factories has small
particles of dust, carbon, metals, other solids, liquids and radioactive materials which
get mixed in smoke and pollute the air.
 The burning of sulphur in coal or heavy oil in thermal power plants releases sulphur
dioxide in the air. Sulphur dioxide combines with oxygen and water to form sulphuric
acid in the atmosphere which is a health hazard. Besides, it produces acid rain.
In winter, smog, a combination of smoke and fog envelopes many cities creating
health hazards and traffic problems. Smog is harmful for health as it causes asthma,
bronchitis, shortness of breath, eye and nose irritation, etc. It also reduces visibility
and leads to problems in traffic movement.
Industrial waste like heavy metals or synthetic organic compounds reach water bodies
either through direct discharge or by leaching from waste dumps. Among the heavy
metals, cadmium, lead, mercury, copper, chromium etc., get into water.
The industrial waste mixed with water makes it poisonous and unhygienic. It may also
cause various diseases in humans and animals, if consumed without treatment.
Q18. Name two toxic particulate materials. State the effect of each on human health.
A18.1. Lead — It affects blood system, causes behavioural disorders and can also
cause death.
2. Nickel — It causes respiratory problems and lung cancer.
Q19. Explain how eutrophication affects aquatic life.
A19. Eutrophication is the process of depletion of oxygen from water bodies occurring
either naturally or due to human activities.
Under normal conditions, algae and phytoplankton use carbon dioxide, inorganic
nitrogen and phosphate from the water as food. They serve as food for the
zooplankton, which in turn are eaten by fish.
When nutrients become abundant due to waste accumulation, the growth of
phytoplankton and algae increases. They reduce the penetration of oxygen, light and
heat into the water body. As a result, the aquatic plants are unable to carry out
photosynthesis reducing the content of oxygen in the water. This causes death of most
of the aquatic organisms, draining water of all its oxygen.
Q20. What harm is done by dumping of waste near water bodies?
A20. Waste dumped near a water source percolates through the soil into the water bodies
and contaminates the water. This results in the accumulation of toxic substances in the
water bodies and further in the food chain through plants and animals that feed on it.
The contaminated water may cause various water borne diseases like typhoid, cholera
etc., if the water is consumed without treatment.
Q21. Name two diseases which occur because of waste accumulation on land.
A21. Two diseases which occur because of waste accumulation on land are-
1. Malaria; 2. Dengue
Q22. Name two common diseases caused as a result of gaseous pollution.
A22. Two common diseases caused as a result of gaseous pollution are-
1. Bronchitis; 2. Lung cancer
Q23. Name three water-borne diseases.
A23. Three water-borne diseases are-
1. Diarrhoea; 2. Cholera; 3. Typhoid
Q24. Name the gas produced by the decomposition of accumulated waste. Why is this gas
harmful?
A24. Methane gas is gas produced by the decomposition of accumulated waste.
This gas is highly inflammable, and can cause an explosion if not managed properly.
Q25. What is Global Warming? Name any two Greenhouse Gases?
A25. The rise in average mean temperature of the earth on account of enhanced
concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is known as global warming.
Two Greenhouse gases are-
1. Carbon dioxide; 2. Methane
Q26.i. What is a sanitary landfill?
i. Sanitary landfill is a way of disposing refuse on land without creating nuisances or
hazards to public health and safety. The waste disposal is carried out with minimal
environmental damage and in areas already spoiled or in need of restoration.
ii. How is waste disposed of in a sanitary landfill?
ii. In sanitary landfill, the waste undergoes the following five phases for safe disposal-
1. In the first phase of operation, aerobic bacteria deplete the available oxygen and
causes the temperature to rise.
2. In the second phase, anaerobic conditions get established and lead to the evolution of
hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
3. Phase three establishes population of bacteria and the beginning of methanogenic
activity, i.e., production of methane from the decomposition of organic matter.
4. In the fourth phase, the methanogenic activity becomes stabilised.
5. The fifth phase depletes the organic matter, and the system returns to aerobic state.
Q27. What service is indirectly done by the rag-pickers for the disposal of waste?
A27. The poor rag pickers make a living by sorting out reusable and recyclable items from
discarded solids. They do a good job by removing much of the waste from the garbage
dumps. Pieces of metal, glass, rubber, plastics etc., are removed to be recycled to get
finished products. Thus, they segregate the waste and make waste disposal easier.
Q28. State three steps that should be taken by the municipal authorities for the safe disposal
of solid waste.
A28. The following three steps should be taken by the municipal authorities for the safe
disposal of solid waste-
1. Organising house to house collection of municipal solid wastes.
2. Biomedical waste and industrial waste should not be mixed with municipal solid
waste. The waste should be segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
3. Stray animals should not be allowed to move around waste disposal facilities.
Q29. What is composting? Give two advantages of using compost.
A29. Composting of waste in an aerobic method of decomposing solid wastes. The organic
wastes from households are made to undergo decomposition in such a way that
bacteria and other micro-organisms break them down and produce a safe, clean and
soil like material called compost.
Two advantages of using compost are-
1. It enhances soil nutrients and water retention capacity of soil; 2. It suppresses
plant diseases.
Q30. What are the three R's of waste management?
A30. The three R's of waste management are-
1. Reducing the waste; 2. Reusing the waste; 3. Recycling the waste
Q31. Explain how reusing waste can reduce the burden of waste disposal.
A31. One way to prevent waste generation, improve our communities, and increase the
material well-being of our citizens is to take useful products discarded by those who
no longer want or need them and provide them to those who do. Reusing an item
means that it continues to be a valuable, useful, productive item, and replaces new
 items that would utilize more water, energy, timber, petroleum, and other limited
natural resources in their manufacture. For example, instead of discarding old or torn
shoes, they can be given to under-privileged or poor people for use.
Hence, if we reuse products, we ultimately avoid the generation of waste and reduce
the burden of waste disposal.
Q32. What is meant by recycling of waste effectively? Give one example.
A32. Recycling is a process by which wastes are converted into reusable products, thereby
reducing the usage of raw material and energy and controlling air, water and soil
pollution.
Recycling of waste effectively means to recycle an item till it cannot be recycled
further and cannot be utilised any more.
For example, in India, we have tonnes of bagasse from sugarcane during a particular
season. Bagasse is used in the manufacture of paper pulp and this helps to save trees
which are normally used for making paper pulp.
Q33. What is waste?
A33. Waste is the material which is not required and is thrown away carelessly.
Q34. Name four important agricultural sources of waste.
A34. The four important agricultural sources of waste are: Crops residues, rotten fruits,
waste vegetables and animal wastes.
Q35. What is Eutrophication?
A35. Sewage, fertilizer and other chemicals pour into the sea, seaweeds and algae spread
and use up all the oxygen that fish and other aquatic animals need to stay alive.
Depletion of oxygen from water bodies is termed as Eutrophication.
Q36. How does waste accumulation affect the environment?
A36. The waste accumulation affects the environment in the following ways:
a) It spoils the landscape; b)It causes pollution of water, air and soil; c) It provides a
safe breeding ground for flies, insects, rodents etc.
Q37. What is acid rain? Mention two of its effects.
A37. Acid rain is a corrosive type of air pollution which occurs when oxides of sulphur and
nitrogen combine with the moisture of atmosphere. Its effects are:
a) Corrosion of monuments and buildings; b) When acid rain pours on soil, it destroys
the nutrients of the soil and reduces its fertility.
Q38. What is Global warming? Name any two Greenhouse gases.
A38. The increase in average surface temperature of the earth is known as Global warming.
The two main gases are carbon dioxide and methane.
Q39. What is Bio-magnification?
A39. Increase in the concentration of various toxic substances along the food chain is
termed as Biomagnification.
Q40. How does fresh water get polluted?
A40. Sewage from municipalities and tanneries discharged into the rivers, canals and lakes
etc. carry many species of bacteria and other microbes which cause diseases in
humans and animals.
Q41. Name any three sources of marine pollution.
A41. Three sources of marine pollution are:
a) Massive oil spills; b) Growth of marine algae; c) Discharge of harmful
pesticides.
Q42. What harmful effects do radiations from toxic waste have on human health?
A42. Toxic wastes released in the atmosphere causes cancer, it also leads to serious birth
defects, lung diseases etc.
Q43. What do you mean by the following terms?
a) Segregation- It is one of the ways in which waste can be disposed. In this method the
waste is separated and collected according to their characteristics. For example,
plastics, metals etc are kept in separate bags or containers of different colours.
Disposal of waste then becomes easier.
b) Composting - is the making of manure by decomposing organic biodegradable matter
like green leaves from trees in the garden, leftover food, animal excreta, crop husks
etc.
c) Open Dumping- is the most common method of disposing of waste at the site which is
located outside the cities and towns. These accumulations contain dangerous
chemicals, paints, poisonous gases and toxic liquids which pollute the underground
water.
Q44. How can waste be reduced? Explain with the help of an example.
A44. Re-using includes the practice of using the things instead of throwing them away. For
example, soft drinks can be sold in glass bottles that can be reused, rather than tetra
packs.
Q45. Why is open dumping considered harmful for the environment?
A45. The waste at such sites contains dangerous substances like chemicals and paints. The
poisonous gases, like methane are harmful to the environment. The toxic liquids
pollute the underground water.
Q46. Give any three advantages of Composting.
A46. The advantages are: It suppresses plant diseases; It rejuvenates poor soils by adding
humus; It enhances the water retention capacity of soils. (Any other relevant point)
Q47. What are the 3 R’s of Waste Management?
A47. The three R’s of waste management are: Reducing the waste; Reusing the waste;
Recycling the waste
Q48. “Recycling of waste to produce paper can reduce deforestation”. Give a reason.
A48. Bagasse from sugarcane is used for the manufacturing of paper pulp. This helps to
save trees which are normally used for making paper pulp.
Q49. Name two common diseases caused as a result of gaseous pollution.
A49. Asthma, Asbestosis, Lung Cancer.
Q50. Name two diseases which occur because of waste accumulation on land.
A50. Diarrhoea, Typhoid, Plague.
Q51. Name three water borne diseases.
A51. Cholera, Amoebiosis, Dysentery
Q52. What is Global Warming? Name any two Greenhouse gases.
A52. The increased concentration of greenhouse gases leads to the increase in temperature
on the earth, called Global warming. Greenhouse gases: Carbon dioxide, Methane,
Nitrogen oxide.
Q53. Name the gas produced by the decomposition of accumulated waste. Why is this gas
harmful?
A53. Methane gas is produced by the decomposition of accumulated waste. It is highly
inflammable and may cause explosions if not handled properly.
Q54. Give three effects of Acid Rain.
A54. The three effects of Acid Rain are:
• It corrodes buildings, monuments, statues, bridges etc.
• Acid rain increases acidity in the soil and destroys forest and crops.
• It affects the human nervous system by causing neurological diseases.

Q55. Give a reason for each of the following:

i. Marine animals and turtles are found dead in many coastal areas.
i. Marine animals and turtles are found dead in many coastal areas due to plastic debris
in the ocean. More than 80% of this plastic comes from land. It washes out from the
beaches and streets. It travels through storm drains into streams and rivers. It flies
away from landfills into seas. In the ocean, this plastic waste breaks down into smaller
pieces, which are easily ingested by marine animals causing blockages in their
digestive tracts and eventual death. Marine turtles are more susceptible to the effects
of consuming marine debris because they have downward facing spines which prevent
the possibility of regurgitation.
ii. Radioactive waste is more harmful than other waste.
ii. Radioactive waste is more harmful than other waste because radioactive wastes cause
pollution and damage the environment and the high-level products of nuclear wastes
remain in the environment for several hundred years.
iii. Uncontrolled burning of waste causes air pollution.
iii. Uncontrolled burning of waste creates smoke and other air pollutants that release toxic
substances into the environment and cause air pollution.
iv. 'Use and throw' concept generates more waste.
iv. 'Use and throw' concept generates more waste because this concept means to use any
product only once and then dispose it. Therefore, after using a product only once, it is
neither re-used nor recycled, but disposed once and for all. And since people are using
this concept in modern times, the generation of waste is increasing to new levels.

v. Run off from fields leads to death in adjacent water bodies.

v. Run off from fields leads to death in adjacent water bodies because the fertilisers and
pesticides used in the fields have chemicals. When they reach the water bodies, the
toxins present in the waste can kill aquatic organisms directly by sufficiently changing
the pH of water, covering the water surface and causing a reduction in dissolved
oxygen. The aquatic organisms may also become victims of bio-magnification and
bio-accumulation.
vi. Birds feeding on agricultural waste are at the brink of extinction.
vi. Birds feeding on agricultural waste are at the brink of extinction because feeding on
agricultural waste affects them adversely. Such birds have thinner and weaker egg
shells and increased mortality.
vii. Vehicles used for transporting waste should be covered.
vii. Vehicles used for transporting waste should be covered as this prevents the wastes
from being scattered. Waste should not be visible to public, nor exposed to open
environment.
viii. Waste segregation is key to waste management.
viii. Waste segregation is key to waste management as when waste is segregated, there
occurs a reduction in the volume of waste that reaches the landfills. Air and water
pollution is considerable reduced and it becomes easier to apply different processes of
waste disposal like composting, recycling and incineration.
ix. Roads from plastic waste are environment friendly.
ix. Roads from plastic waste are environment friendly because of the following reasons-
1. It overcomes the growing problem of plastic waste disposal in the country. Since a
large amount of plastic waste is required for a small stretch of road, the amount of
waste plastic strewn around gets tremendously reduced.
2. This road construction process is eco-friendly with no toxic gases being released.
x. Recycling of waste to produce paper can reduce deforestation.
x. Recycling of waste to produce paper can reduce deforestation as in India, we have
tonnes of bagasse from sugarcane during a particular season. Bagasse is used in the
manufacture of paper pulp and this helps to save trees which are normally used for
making paper pulp.
xi. Sugarcane waste can be recycled into useful products.
xi. Bagasse is a waste product from the sugar industry. In India, we have tonnes of
bagasse from sugarcane during a particular season. Bagasse is used in the manufacture
of paper pulp and this helps to save trees which are normally used for making paper
pulp. Bagasse is also used for making packaging material for dairy products. Hence,
sugarcane waste can be recycled into useful products.
xii. We should avoid using polythene carry bags.
xii. We should avoid using polythene carry bags because plastic is non-biodegradable.
Plastic has to be incinerated, recycled or buried in landfills. The polythene carry bags
are made from recycled plastic. They are harmful because the melting of plastic and
plastic products breaks some polymer chains into smaller units which are harmful.