Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Waste Management and Pollution

2,184 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

Which of the following is an incorrect statement?

  1. It is difficult to dispose plastic.

  2. Recycled plastic bags are harmful for storing food.

  3. The burning of plastic gives out harmful gases.

  4. Plasticware cannot be used in the kitchen to store food items.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Plasticware can be used in the kitchen to store food items. 

Multiple choice

What is/are the best way(s) to minimise plastic waste?

  1. Make minimum use of plastic bags.

  2. Burn all the plastic waste.

  3. Dump all the plastic waste.

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

 The best way to minimise plastic waste is to make minimum use of plastic bags and other plastic commodities.

Multiple choice

How should the students help keep their school clean?

  1. They will put waste materials in the appropriate dustbin in order to dispose of the waste properly.

  2. They should put waste materials in the appropriate dustbin in order to dispose of the waste properly.

  3. They should put waste materials on the appropriate dustbin in order to dispose of the waste properly.

  4. They should put waste materials in the appropriate dustbin for dispose of the waste properly.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Should' is used to recommend or to suggest. Garbage is put 'in' the dustbin.

Multiple choice

It is advised not to burn plastic materials because

  1. they stick to the ground and do not burn completely

  2. they release poisonous fumes

  3. they vigorously react on heating and cause accidental burns

  4. they decompose quickly

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Plastics do not get burnt easily and release a lot of poisonous fumes in the atmosphere causing air pollution. Hence, it advised not to burn plastic materials.

Multiple choice

Organic wastes come under the category of

  1. physical pollutants

  2. chemical pollutants

  3. biological pollutants

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Correct Answer: chemical pollutants Those water pollutants which effect the properties of water are categorised as chemical pollutants. For example, urea is an organic pollutant, which is basic in nature and thus increases the pH of the soil. 

Multiple choice

Why is plastic considered a non-biodegradable substance?

  1. Because it is not obtained from natural resources.

  2. Because it releases lot of poisonous fumes on burning.

  3. Because it is not decomposed by natural processes.

  4. Because it is a poor conductor of heat and electricity.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Plastic is said to be non-biodegradable because it is not easily decomposed by natural processes.

Multiple choice

Fill blank (iii).

Directions: Read the following passage having some numbered blanks.

Biogas ______(i)_____ obtained from animal dung and other agricultural wastes.  Animal dung and other agricultural wastes are mixed with water and ________(ii)_______ into a digester. In the absence of air, the biomass ________(iii)_______ to give a combustible gas, _________(iv)_______ is a mixture of gases like methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and hydrogen sulphide.

  1. decomposes

  2. will decompose

  3. might decompose

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

The sentence is in simple present tense. Hence, the use of simple present tense of the word decompose (decomposes) is used.

Multiple choice

As per colour coding of plastic bags for biomedical wastes, match the List – I with List – II and choose the correct answer from the codes given below: List – I (Colour Code) List – II (Option for disposal) A. Yellow plastic bags 1. Disposal in secured land fills B. Black plastic bags 2. Incineration and deep burials C. Blue/White plastic bags 3. Autoclaving and chemical treatment D. Red plastic bags 4. Microwave treatments and destruction

  1. A- 4 B- 3 C-2 D-1

  2. A- 1 B-4 C-3 D-2

  3. A- 2 B-1 C-4 D-3

  4. A-3 B-2 C- 1 D-4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 (c)