FIRST & LAST NAME _________________________________________
PERIOD ________
TALKING TRASH: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TRASH/SOLID WASTE VOCABULARY
TERM
BIODEGRADABLE
NONBIODEGRADABLE
HAZARDOUS WASTE
PICTURE
something that can be broken
down by living things over
time; example orange peel
something that will not be
broken down by living things
over time; example: plastic &
styrofoam
wastes that are toxic or highly
corrosive or that explode easily
INCINERATION
burning solid waste material
LEACHATE
water that contains toxic
chemicals dissolved from
wastes in a landfill
DEPLETION
reduction in the number or
quantity of something.
LOVE CANAL
SANITARY LANDFILL
a toxic waste dump that caused
an entire New York
neighborhood to suffer health
problems
sites where waste is isolated
from the environment until it is
safe; a clay liner is used
WASTE MANAGEMENT
The collection, transportation,
and disposal of garbage,
sewage, and other waste
products.
WASTE-TO-ENERGY
Incineration process in which
solid waste is converted into
thermal energy to generate
steam that drives turbines for
electricity generators.
METHANE
colorless, odorless, poisonous
gas emitted in landfills
MULCH
A protective covering, usually of
organic matter such as leaves, straw, or
peat, placed around plants to prevent
the evaporation of moisture, the
freezing of roots, and the growth of
weeds.
NATURAL RESOURCE
Materials found in nature that
are useful or necessary for
humans
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA)
The EPA is an agency of the
United States federal
government whose mission is
to protect human and
environmental health.
intended to be used once, or
until no longer useful, and then
thrown away.
DISPOSABLE
REUSE
use more than once
RECYCLE
to treat or process (used or
waste materials) so they can be
into useful products
COMPOST
a mixture of various decaying
organic substances, as dead
leaves, food or manure, used
for fertilizing soil
CONSERVATION
the protection of animals,
plants, and natural resources
STYROFOAM
a light, usually white plastic
used to make containers, it
takes 500 years to breakdown
DECOMPOSE
to break down into smaller
pieces, decay
COMBUSTION
the process of burning
WHAT ARE THE 3 R’S OF RECYCLING?
1.
2.
3.
4. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE A STYROFOAM CUP TO BREAK DOWN/DECOMPOSE IN A LANDFILL?
5. WHAT CATEGORY IS MOST OF OUR TRASH?
6. HOW MANY TREES ARE SAVED BY RECYCLING A TON OF PAPER?
7. TO PRODUCE AN ALUMINUM CAN FROM BAUXITE NEEDS A LOT OF ELECTRICITY. HOW MUCH ENERGY IS
SAVED WHEN RECYCLED ALUMINUM CANS ARE USED?
8. RECYCLING COULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF OF HOUSEHOLD TRASH BY __________%!!!!!!!!!