8.3 Solid Domestic Waste

Significant Ideas

• Solid domestic waste (SDW) is increasing as a result of growing human populations and consumption.

• Both the production and management of SDW can have significant influence on sustainability.

Knowledge & Understanding

1. There are different types of SDW, the volume and composition of which changes over time.

2. The abundance and prevalence of non-biodegradable pollution (such as plastic, batteries or e-waste) in particular has become a major environmental issue

3. Waste disposal options include landfills, incineration, recycling and composting.

4. There are a variety of strategies that can be used to manage SDW (refer to figure 3) influenced by cultural, economic, technological and political barriers. These strategies include:

   • altering human activity—for example, through a reduction of consumption and composting of food waste.

   • controlling the release of pollutant—governments create legislation to encourage recycling and reuse initiatives and impose taxes for SDW collection and on disposable items.

   • reclaiming landfills, using SDW for waste-to-energy programmes, implementing initiatives to remove plastics from the Great Pacific garbage patch (clean-up and restoration).

Textbook Reading and/or Activities

• Pages 238-242, 223-230

  • Exercises (p.239)

  • Case Study (p.226-228)

  • Exercises (p.230)

Notes

i-Biology Notes (Not available)

A detailed set of notes, created by Stephen Taylor, examining U1 - U8 and A1 - A4.

i-Biology Study Questions (Not available)

A series of questions, created by Stephen Taylor, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.

Bioknowledgy Notes (Not available)

A detailed set of notes, created by Chris Paine, examining all of the IB learning expectations.

Bioknowledgy Study Questions (Not available)

A series of questions, created by Chris Paine, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.

Learning Activities

Linked Activity

This activity, prepared by XXXXX, will help you better understand ... (specific U/A/S).

Supplemental Reading

The Story of Capannori - A Zero Waste Champion

This article, by Zero Waste Europe, outlines the process by which the City of Capannori, in Northern Italy, has undergone a change toward becoming a zero waste community.

MOL Bubi Bike Sharing

This service, offered by BKK here in Budapest, is an urban bike sharing program designed to offer simple, cheap and renewable transportation options within the city centre.

Avalon Car Sharing

This service, offered by Avalon Car(e) Services, is a car sharing program designed to offer convenient and affordable transportation on a short-term basis reducing the need for everyone to own a car.

Applications & Skills

1. Evaluate SDW disposal options.

2. Compare and contrast pollution management strategies for SDW.

3. Evaluate, with reference to figure 3, pollution management strategies for SDW by considering recycling, incineration, composting and landfills.

Guidance

1. SDW includes household waste such as paper, glass, metal, plastics, organic (kitchen or garden), packaging, construction debris, and clothing.

2. Students should consider the amount and source of non-biodegradable pollution generated within a chosen locality and how it is managed.

3. The adoption of the circular economy provides an alternative approach to waste and sustainability.

Key Vocabulary

• HERE

What will you do to be part of the solution?

This video examines human impact on our planet as viewed primarily through the waste we have (and will) produce.