Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Waste Management and Pollution

2,230 Questions

Waste management and pollution control address waste-to-energy technologies, hazardous disposal, and organic recycling methods. The questions cover landfilling, bioremediation, and marine debris indicators. This topic holds significant weight in UPSC, State PSC, and SSC general studies and environmental exams.

Waste-to-energy technologiesHazardous waste disposalBiogas storage methodsOrganic waste compostingPlastic pollution

Waste Management and Pollution Questions

Multiple choice biology wastewater story sewage treatment wastewater treatment - need and methods conservation

Cooking oil should not be thrown down the drain because

  1. They do not allow free flow of oxygen.

  2. They do not allow bacteria to decompose waste.

  3. They block the drainage pipes.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  • All the cooking oils should not be thrown in drains because it can harden and block the pipes. In an open drain, the fats clog the soil pores reducing its effectiveness in filtering water. 
  • Throw oil and fats in the dustbin.
  • Hence Cooking oil should not be thrown down the drain because they block the drainage pipes.
  • So, the correct answer is 'They block the drainage pipes'.
Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

What does soild waste management include?

  1. Dumping process

  2. Disposal process

  3. Throwing process

  4. Removing process
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Solid waste management encompasses the entire process of collecting, treating, and disposing of waste. Among the choices, disposal is the most comprehensive term for the final management stage.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which ethod has a relatively high initial cost?

  1. Landfillings

  2. Compositing

  3. Incineration

  4. Pulverization
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Incineration has a relatively high initial cost because it requires specialized high-temperature furnaces, pollution control systems, and ongoing maintenance. Landfilling and composting are generally less capital-intensive options.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Combustable garbage, rubbish and dead animals are:

  1. Dumped

  2. Burnt

  3. Landfill

  4. All of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Combustible materials, including rubbish and animal remains, are typically incinerated (burnt) to reduce volume and eliminate pathogens. While they can be landfilled, burning is the standard management practice for combustible waste.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which solid waste disposal method is suitable to indian conditions?

  1. Landfillings

  2. Incineration

  3. Pulverization

  4. Composition
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Composting is most suitable for Indian conditions because it's low-cost, environmentally friendly, and produces useful fertilizer. India's climate supports rapid aerobic composting, and it handles the high organic content in Indian waste.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which is the best method to dispose off biological wastes from hospitals ?

  1. Incineration

  2. Landfill

  3. Recycling

  4. Composting
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The burning of a substance at high temperature to form ash is called incineration. It is used to destroy biological waste. All the organic matter present in the waste is removed as carbon dioxide and water vapour.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which method of solid waste disposal is known as hygienic method?

  1. Incineration

  2. Landfilling

  3. Pulverization

  4. Composition
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Composting is considered the most hygienic solid waste disposal method because it converts organic waste into stable, pathogen-free compost through controlled microbial decomposition. It's environmentally friendly and produces useful fertilizer.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Biological processes for the treatment of industrial wastes for the safe disposal, can be categorized into aerobic as well anaerobic process.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
Microorganisms already present in wastewater treatment feed on the complex substances in the wastewater, converting them into simpler substances, improving treatment. Biological wastewater treatment is the use of bacteria to degrade and decompose organic materials during treatment. The microbial community is the heart of any wastewater treatment facility. If the treatment system is having a problem, it’s critical to target and fix the root cause: A microbial community that isn’t performing well.
Due to their growth, adaptability, and resilience, wastewater treatment systems rely on microorganisms to degrade organic material and produce clear effluent water. By harnessing the ability of microorganisms to tackle the source of larger issues—degrading odor-causing compounds, for example—biological wastewater treatment offers major advantages over alternative treatment strategies:
Lower operating costs compared to alternatives. Efficient degradation and removal of organic and inorganic compounds. Improved flexibility to handle a wide range of wastewater characteristics and flows.
However, the key to any biological treatment system is ensuring that the existing microbial community has the right conditions to grow.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

What measures should be taken for waste disposal?

  1. Segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

  2. Safe disposal of plastic bags.

  3. A compost pit for kitchen wastes.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Measures for disposal of wastes:
(a) Segregation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
(b) Safe disposal of plastic bags.
(c) Vegetable/fruit peels can be placed near trees/plants, which on decomposition will enrich the soil with nutrients.
(d) Give paper wastes for recycling.
(e) Prepare a compost pit for kitchen wastes.
Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Why is improper disposal of waste a curse to environment?

  1. Wastes pollute our environment

  2. Waste has very harmful effect on the living organisms

  3. Waste decreases the fertility of the soil

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Improper disposal of waste pollutes our environment (air, water and soil). Improper waste storage or disposal frequently contaminates surface ground water supplies. The radioactive waste causes harmful effect on the living organism. The non-biodegradable waste decreases the microbial flora of the soil.
So, the correct answer is option D.
Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which solid waste disposal mehod is cheaper and simpler?

  1. Pulverization

  2. Compositing

  3. Sanitary Landfilling

  4. Incineration
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sanitary landfilling is cheaper and simpler than incineration or specialized recycling. It involves compacting waste in lined pits and covering with soil daily, requiring minimal infrastructure compared to other methods.

Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which of the following statements is correct?   

  1. There are working 'EcoSan' toilets in many areas of Kerala and Sri-Lanka

  2. Municipal solid wastes are wastes from homes, offices, stores, schools, hospitals, etc. that are collected and disposed by the municipality

  3. In a sanitary landfill, wastes are dumped in a depression or trench after compaction and covered with dirt everyday

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
EcoSan toilet has emerged as a sustainable concept and is prevalent in Delhi, Kerala, and Mumbai for footpath and slum dwellers. These are solid wastes from home, offices, stores, schools, hospitals, hotels etc. These domestic solid wastes one usually, thrown in municipal garbage collecting cans. a depression or trench is made in the ground and wastes are dumped into it after compaction and covered with dirt every day. the above statements are correct.

So, the correct answer is 'All of these'.
Multiple choice biology waste generation and management disposal of waste safe disposal of waste solid waste and its management

Which method is used if suitable dumping areas are not available?

  1. Incineration

  2. Compositing

  3. Pulverization

  4. Disposal into the Sea
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When land is scarce or dumping areas are unavailable, incineration is the preferred method because it significantly reduces the volume of waste. This makes it ideal for urban areas with limited space.