Activities

1. Define incineration.
   
   
2. Define recycling.

3. Describe the process of composting.  Identify factors that affect this process.
   
   
4. Identify two ways you can recycle.

5. Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of sewage treatment.
   
   
6. Describe the environmental harm landfills can have on the environment. Include at least two effects.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Incineration is the process of burning wastes to ashes.
   
   
2. Recycling is the process of converting waste to useable products.
   
   
3. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
   Composting biodegrades wastes and turns it into fertilizer.  Microorganisms break the wastes down into simpler products. Factors that affect the process include but are not limited to: temperature, particle size, moisture, oxygen, etc.

4. Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:

• Participate in community’s curbside recycling program
• Return pop bottles to grocery stores
• Participate in drop-off recycling initiatives, such as paper bins and electronic recycling
• Buy rechargeable batteries

5. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

Advantages:     

• Helps keep water reusable
• Maintains clean water
• Creates jobs (at treatment plants)
• Many help eliminate some contaminants from water

Disadvantages:

• Maintaining plants can be expensive
• Difficult to keep plant components clean
• Need space to build plants
• Handling of sledge

6. Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:

• Attract pests, and cause noise and odor
• Causes air pollution
• Contaminants to groundwater and soil
• Can emit greenhouse gases.