Green Environment — Practice

Question 1

What is biodegradable waste? Give three examples.

Accepted Answer

Waste broken down naturally by bacteria and fungi. Vegetable peels, paper and dry leaves.

Question 2

Give three examples of non-biodegradable waste.

Accepted Answer

Plastic, glass and metal (also thermocol and e-waste).

Question 3

Name the three Rs.

Accepted Answer

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

Question 4

Which colour bin is used for biodegradable waste?

Accepted Answer

The green bin.

Question 5

About how long does a plastic bag last in the environment compared with a vegetable peel?

Accepted Answer

A vegetable peel breaks down in one or two weeks, while a plastic bag lasts for hundreds of years.

Question 6

Give one example each of reduce, reuse and recycle.

Accepted Answer

Reduce: carry a cloth bag instead of taking a plastic one. Reuse: wash and refill a glass bottle. Recycle: send used paper to be made into new paper.

Question 7

Name four things that can go into a compost pit and say how long composting takes.

Accepted Answer

Vegetable peels, fruit waste, used tea leaves and eggshells. It takes about two to three months.

Question 8

Why should batteries and old electronics not go into the ordinary bin?

Accepted Answer

They are hazardous waste and leak harmful chemicals into the soil and water. They need separate, safe disposal.

Question 9

Why must plastic waste never be burnt, and what should be done instead?

Accepted Answer

Burning plastic releases poisonous gases called dioxins and furans, which cause cancer and lung disease. Instead we should reduce the plastic we use and recycle what we do use.

Question 10

Why are the three Rs given in the order Reduce, Reuse, Recycle rather than any other order?

Accepted Answer

They run from best to least good. Waste that is never created needs no handling at all, so reducing comes first. Reusing needs almost no extra energy. Recycling comes last because, although far better than throwing away, it still uses energy to process the material.

Question 11

Explain why mixing wet kitchen waste with dry paper defeats recycling.

Accepted Answer

Wet waste soaks and soils the paper and cardboard, and soiled paper cannot be recycled. So the mixture goes to landfill instead, which is why waste must be separated at home, at the source.

Practice — Green Environment

Sign in to save attempts to your dashboard and track your accuracy over time

Find a verified tutor

Join a live course

Browse coaching centres

About

Categories

Support

Documentation

Get Study Tips & Updates

Download Our App

Download for iOS

Download for Android

Popular Cities