Recycling & Waste Management
UI 360
Spring 2012
Study Guide for Final Exam at Noon on Tuesday, May 8
1.
What are the four properties that make a consumer product hazardous? Give examples of consumer
products for each of the four categories of hazard.
2.
What are typical signal words found on hazardous consumer products?
3.
Describe the lack of regulation of product labeling in the U.S. regarding use of terms such as: nontoxic, all natural, all organic, and earth friendly.
4.
Provide several tips or suggestions covered in class for each of the following areas of consideration
regarding hazardous consumer products:
A. Think before you buy
B. Use it safely
C. Store it safely
5.
What are reasons for concern regarding storage of hazardous products in the home?
6.
What problems or difficulties are associated with special HHW collections?
7.
Describe essential steps for setting up a home recycling program as discussed in class.
8.
What have been motivating factors for industry to improve their generation and management of
hazardous chemicals?
9.
Describe methods used by industry to reduce or manage the problem of chemical wastes including:
process manipulation, in-plant reuse, resale and industrial "swaps", biodegradation, incineration,
deep well injection, vitrification, and super secure (Subtitle C) landfills.
10.
Discuss the provisions of Subtitle D of RCRA regarding municipal solid waste landfills. You should
include consideration of location restrictions, financial assurance requirements, requirement for
owner/operator to demonstrate compliance, the ability of citizens to bring lawsuits, record keeping
requirements, and remediation requirements.
11.
Discuss the provisions of Subtitle D of RCRA regarding design criteria for MSW landfills including
the structure and function of the bottom liner, leachate collection system, leachate treatment,
methane management, monitoring wells, and cover liner.
12.
What is composting? Explain how composting is a natural form of recycling. What categories of
solid wastes can and should be composted?
13.
What types of organisms are responsible for decomposition of wastes in a compost pile? Why is it
important to encourage the growth of aerobic bacteria in a compost pile?
14.
What are the three critical needs of organisms in a compost pile?
15.
How are carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) used by organisms of the compost pile? What are some good
carbon sources for the pile and what are some good nitrogen sources for the pile?
16.
Approximately how big should a compost pile be to get rapid decomposition? Approximately how
moist or wet should compost be to get rapid decomposition? Why should the compost pile be
turned periodically to get rapid decomposition?
17.
Give some examples of common waste items that should be in a compost pile. Give some examples
of common waste items that should not be in a compost pile.
18.
How do you know when compost is done? Describe the appearance of finished compost. Describe
uses for finished compost.
19.
If you do everything right and work hard at it, approximately how quickly can you get finished
compost? If you do everything wrong and don't work at it, approximately how long will it take to get
finished compost? Explain the phrase, "compost happens".
20.
Concisely define or explain the following terms with regard to wastewater treatment: biochemical
oxygen demand (BOD), primary treatment, secondary treatment, sludge (biosolids), and suspended
solids.
21.
Based upon your tour of the Cape Girardeau wastewater treatment plant describe the operation and
purpose of the following: (a) bar screen and grit chamber: (b) primary sedimentation tanks; (c)
secondary treatment by the trickle filter; (d) final clarifiers; (e) sludge thickener; (f) lime
stabilization tank.
22.
How does the City of Cape Girardeau currently dispose of sludge (biosolids)? What are advantages
of this disposal method?
23.
What laboratory tests are routinely conducted by personnel of the plant as the wastewater passes
through the facility? What additional tests does a contract laboratory conduct? What state and
federal agencies monitor performance of wastewater facilities?
24.
What events prompted Congress to pass the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA), adding Subtitle J
to RCRA?
25.
Describe the similarity in approach between Subtitle J and Subtitle C. What are the institutional and
commercial generators of regulated wastes? What types of wastes are included? Describe the pretransportation requirements of MTWA regarding collection, storage, and packaging of regulated
wastes. What companies can transport medical wastes? What companies can accept medical
wastes? How are medical wastes destroyed?
26.
Describe the four-part MWTA tracking form. What happens to each of the four copies of this form?
What is the purpose of this procedure?
27.
How has the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) affected management of
solid wastes by medical and health care facilities? What types of materials are covered by HIPAA
regulations? Describe the management and disposal of HIPAA wastes.
28.
Why are construction and demolition (C & D) wastes sometimes called the “hidden component” of
MSW wastes? What are some categories of C & D wastes? Why has it been difficult to collect
accurate data on generation of C & D wastes? Describe factors that affect the generation of C & D
wastes. Distinguish between high-end and low-end salvage of C & D wastes
29.
Describe what your learned or gained from the field trips that helped you better understand or
appreciate topics covered in the course:
A.
Cape Girardeau Alternative Fuels – Buzzi Unicem Cement Plant
B.
City of Cape Girardeau wastewater treatment plant
C..
Southeast Missouri Hospital
D.
City of Jackson Recycling Center