Define solid waste, garbage, and rubbish (or trash). Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic processes; combustion and pyrolysis

Give the approximate percentages of agricultural, mining, and urban wastes as part of the entire solid waste problem.

Give the approximate percentages of the components of urban solid wastes and discuss why these percentages vary with season, location, etc. What, if any, shifts have been observed over the last 10, 20, or 30 years.

Distinguish between total and net waste generation (or disposal).

Explain the basis for the waste strategy hierarchy; waste reduction (prevention), reuse, recycling, incineration with waste heat recovery, and sanitary landfill. Especially explain why waste reduction is so much better than recycling; also explain how previous steps in the process affect later steps.

List and discuss at least 4 or 5 methods of waste prevention (minimization).

Define compost and list its attributes and the critical parameters for its formation.

Discuss collection and separation of wastes. Explain the role of psychology and economics in recycling; also discuss different strategies for collecting and dealing with recyclables and other wastes.

Discuss different methods that can be used to separate and process wastes and the applicability of them. Discuss air and water classifiers and their use in solid waste management. Discuss MRF's and methods used with them.

Discuss the purpose and operation of the basic parts of an incinerator including refuse pit, loading cranes or chutes, grates, boilers, and air pollution controls.

Discuss the pollution problems with bottom ash, flyash, dioxins, and furans; i.e. their sources and controls for them.

Discuss heat content of wastes and compare them with fuels such as coal and petroleum.

Discuss methods of waste heat recovery, particularly generation of steam heat and use of RDF. Give advantages and disadvantages associated with them.

Discuss how a sanitary landfill differs from an open dump or refuse fill. Discuss in detail cells, covers, liners, leachate, and gas formation together with appropriate siting and monitoring.

Explain how thermodynamics can be used to conduct life cycle analyses and assessments. Give and discuss the thermodynamic property R.S. Berry used for his analyses and why he used it. Explain in reasonable detail the conclusions he reached from his study of the auto. Define his waste factor and its interesting relationship to manufacturing processes.

Explain the results of applying this type of analysis to beverage containers and the potential flaws in such an analysis.

Explain the difference between a closed and open earth and its relationship to concepts of solid waste management (and the Law of Conservation of Matter).

Define home, prompt industrial and obsolete scrap. Explain some of the problems with scrap and recycling. Discuss some of the discrimination encountered by the scrap industry.