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Flip to reveal answersState two global trends in municipal solid waste (MSW).
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All 15 Flashcards — Waste generation and types
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Question
State two global trends in municipal solid waste (MSW).
Answer
Global MSW generation is increasing rapidly and is projected to rise substantially by 2050; per-capita waste generally increases with income and urbanisation.
💡 Hint
Rising total + income link.
Question
What is the overall global trend in waste generation?
Answer
Global waste generation is increasing rapidly and is projected to continue rising strongly without major changes in consumption and management.
💡 Hint
Overall increasing.
Question
Define municipal solid waste (MSW).
Answer
Municipal solid waste is household and commercial waste such as food, paper, plastics, glass, and metals collected by local authorities.
💡 Hint
Household + commercial.
Question
Give three examples of hazardous waste.
Answer
Examples include chemicals, batteries, medical waste, solvents, or materials that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, or reactive (any three correct examples).
💡 Hint
Toxic/flammable/corrosive/reactive.
Question
How does waste generation differ between HICs and LICs?
Answer
HICs generally produce much more waste per person and more packaging/electronics, while LICs produce less waste per person and a higher proportion of organic waste.
💡 Hint
HICs: more, more packaging.
Question
Give two differences in waste between HICs and LICs.
Answer
HICs have higher per-capita waste and more packaging/electronics; LICs have lower per-capita waste and more organic composition with weaker collection systems.
💡 Hint
Per-capita + composition.
Question
What is e-waste and why is it a problem?
Answer
E-waste is discarded electronic equipment. It is a problem because it contains both valuable metals and toxic substances (e.g., lead, mercury), and is often poorly recycled, causing pollution and health risks.
💡 Hint
Valuable + toxic.
Question
Why does urbanisation often increase waste production?
Answer
Urban living increases consumption of packaged goods and concentrates waste generation; higher incomes and access to consumer products also increase waste.
💡 Hint
Urban = consumption + packaging.
Question
Name four main waste categories by source.
Answer
Municipal solid waste, industrial waste, agricultural waste, and construction and demolition waste are key categories by source (mining waste also common).
💡 Hint
MSW, industrial, agricultural, C&D.
Question
What happens to waste composition as countries develop?
Answer
Waste composition typically shifts from mostly organic materials toward more packaging, plastics, and electronic waste as consumption rises.
💡 Hint
Organic → plastics/e-waste.
Question
Why is e-waste a “favourite exam topic”?
Answer
Because it links to rapid consumption growth, valuable resource recovery, hazardous pollution and health risks, and global inequality through waste export.
💡 Hint
Growth + toxins + inequality.
Question
Distinguish between non-hazardous and hazardous waste.
Answer
Non-hazardous waste is typical municipal waste that is not toxic or reactive, while hazardous waste has properties (toxic, flammable, corrosive, reactive) that require special handling and disposal.
💡 Hint
Hazardous needs special handling.
Question
Why is informal e-waste recycling in LICs risky?
Answer
Informal recycling often involves burning or acid leaching without protection, releasing toxic fumes and contaminating soil and water, causing serious health impacts.
💡 Hint
Burning + toxins.
Question
In data questions, what two things should you always describe about waste graphs?
Answer
Describe both the quantity (total or per capita) and composition (types of waste), and link differences to development level or policy.
💡 Hint
Quantity + composition.
Question
In a “describe waste data” question, what should you link differences to?
Answer
Link patterns to income/development level, consumption, urbanisation, and waste management infrastructure/policy differences.
💡 Hint
Always explain why differences exist.
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Topic 7.3 hub
Solid waste
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