Q.1 Which of the following is considered biodegradable waste?
Plastic bottles
Glass jars
Vegetable peels
Metal cans
Explanation - Biodegradable waste is organic matter that can decompose naturally, such as vegetable peels, fruit scraps, and food waste.
Correct answer is: Vegetable peels
Q.2 What is the primary goal of waste segregation?
To increase landfill usage
To separate different types of waste for proper disposal
To make waste heavier
To burn all waste
Explanation - Waste segregation involves separating waste into categories like biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and hazardous to facilitate recycling and safe disposal.
Correct answer is: To separate different types of waste for proper disposal
Q.3 Which method is most suitable for disposing of hazardous chemical waste?
Composting
Landfilling in regular sites
Incineration in controlled conditions
Open dumping
Explanation - Hazardous chemical waste must be treated carefully; controlled incineration destroys harmful chemicals without releasing toxins into the environment.
Correct answer is: Incineration in controlled conditions
Q.4 E-waste primarily refers to which type of waste?
Organic waste
Electronic and electrical equipment
Plastic bottles
Paper waste
Explanation - E-waste includes discarded electronic devices like computers, phones, and batteries, which contain hazardous substances that require special handling.
Correct answer is: Electronic and electrical equipment
Q.5 Which of the following is an example of non-biodegradable waste?
Banana peels
Leaves
Plastic bags
Food scraps
Explanation - Non-biodegradable waste does not decompose naturally, and plastic bags can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.
Correct answer is: Plastic bags
Q.6 Which practice helps reduce waste generation at the source?
Landfilling
Recycling
Reusing materials
All of the above
Explanation - Reusing items reduces the amount of waste generated by extending the life of materials before disposal.
Correct answer is: Reusing materials
Q.7 Composting is a method primarily used for which type of waste?
Hazardous waste
Organic waste
Plastic waste
Electronic waste
Explanation - Composting converts organic waste such as food scraps and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil, reducing landfill usage.
Correct answer is: Organic waste
Q.8 Which of the following is a disadvantage of landfilling?
It generates electricity
It reduces recycling
It can cause groundwater pollution
It is a cheap disposal method
Explanation - Landfills can leach harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater, posing environmental and health risks.
Correct answer is: It can cause groundwater pollution
Q.9 Which of these materials is easiest to recycle?
Glass
Food scraps
Styrofoam
Ceramics
Explanation - Glass can be melted and remolded indefinitely without losing quality, making it one of the easiest materials to recycle.
Correct answer is: Glass
Q.10 Which international day raises awareness about waste reduction and management?
World Environment Day
World Recycling Day
International Waste Awareness Day
Earth Day
Explanation - World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5th, promotes awareness about environmental issues including waste reduction and sustainable practices.
Correct answer is: World Environment Day
Q.11 What is 'zero waste' primarily focused on?
Eliminating all forms of recycling
Minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource reuse
Sending all waste to landfills
Burning all waste
Explanation - Zero waste is a sustainable approach aimed at redesigning products and consumption to prevent waste entirely.
Correct answer is: Minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource reuse
Q.12 Which gas is primarily released from decomposing organic waste in landfills?
Oxygen
Methane
Nitrogen
Carbon monoxide
Explanation - Decomposing organic matter in anaerobic conditions produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Correct answer is: Methane
Q.13 Which of the following is an example of hazardous household waste?
Plastic bottles
Expired medicines
Vegetable peels
Paper waste
Explanation - Expired medicines contain chemicals that can be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment if disposed of improperly.
Correct answer is: Expired medicines
Q.14 What is the main benefit of recycling paper?
It reduces water pollution
It reduces deforestation
It generates energy
It increases landfill waste
Explanation - Recycling paper reduces the need to cut down trees, thereby conserving forests and protecting biodiversity.
Correct answer is: It reduces deforestation
Q.15 Which type of waste requires special treatment before disposal due to biological risks?
Plastic waste
Biomedical waste
Glass waste
Paper waste
Explanation - Biomedical waste, including used syringes and medical gloves, can carry pathogens and must be treated to prevent infection.
Correct answer is: Biomedical waste
Q.16 Which method is commonly used to convert waste into energy?
Incineration
Composting
Landfilling
Open dumping
Explanation - Incineration burns waste at high temperatures to generate heat, which can be converted into electricity.
Correct answer is: Incineration
Q.17 Plastic recycling is challenging because:
It melts at low temperatures
It is often contaminated and comes in different types
It is biodegradable
It reacts with water
Explanation - Plastic recycling is difficult because plastics vary in chemical composition, and contamination can reduce the quality of recycled material.
Correct answer is: It is often contaminated and comes in different types
Q.18 Which of the following is NOT a component of solid waste management?
Collection
Transportation
Composting
Waste reduction policies
Explanation - Solid waste management involves the collection, transportation, processing, and disposal of waste, but composting is a treatment method, not a management component by itself.
Correct answer is: Composting
Q.19 Which of the following best describes 'leachate' in landfills?
A type of gas produced during decomposition
Liquid that drains from a landfill containing harmful substances
Solid waste material
Compost material
Explanation - Leachate is contaminated liquid formed when rainwater filters through landfill waste, potentially polluting soil and groundwater.
Correct answer is: Liquid that drains from a landfill containing harmful substances
Q.20 Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a concept that encourages:
Consumers to dispose of waste properly
Producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products
Government to landfill all waste
Burning of hazardous waste
Explanation - EPR policies require manufacturers to manage the disposal and recycling of their products to reduce environmental impact.
Correct answer is: Producers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products
Q.21 Which is the largest source of plastic waste in the oceans?
Industrial discharge
Agricultural runoff
Single-use plastic products
E-waste
Explanation - Single-use plastics like bags, bottles, and straws make up the majority of marine plastic pollution due to their widespread use and improper disposal.
Correct answer is: Single-use plastic products
Q.22 Which technology is used to monitor and manage waste in smart cities?
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors
Wind turbines
Solar panels
GPS navigation for cars
Explanation - IoT sensors help monitor waste levels in bins, optimize collection routes, and improve urban waste management efficiency.
Correct answer is: Internet of Things (IoT) sensors
Q.23 Which of the following is an environmental impact of improper waste burning?
Improved soil fertility
Air pollution and respiratory problems
Increase in biodiversity
Reduction in greenhouse gases
Explanation - Open burning of waste releases toxic gases and particulate matter, which harm human health and contribute to air pollution.
Correct answer is: Air pollution and respiratory problems
Q.24 Which waste management hierarchy is considered most sustainable?
Landfilling > Recycling > Reuse
Recycling > Landfilling > Incineration
Reduce > Reuse > Recycle > Recovery > Disposal
Incineration > Composting > Landfilling
Explanation - The waste management hierarchy prioritizes reducing waste first, followed by reusing, recycling, recovery, and finally safe disposal.
Correct answer is: Reduce > Reuse > Recycle > Recovery > Disposal