EVS – Question Bank

Module - 4
Solid Waste Management (SWM)

1. What does SWM stand for?

a) Solid Waste Management
b) Sustainable Waste Management
c) Safe Waste Methods
d) Systematic Waste Maintenance
Answer: a) Solid Waste Management

2. What is the primary goal of solid waste management?

a) Minimize waste generation
b) Proper collection, treatment, and disposal of waste
c) Promote reuse and recycling
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

3. Which of the following is a major source of solid waste?

a) Residential areas
b) Commercial establishments
c) Industrial processes
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

4. Which of the following is NOT a type of solid waste?

a) Biodegradable waste
b) Hazardous waste
c) Solid gases
d) E-waste
Answer: c) Solid gases

5. Which functional element of SWM involves the movement of waste from collection points
to disposal sites?
a) Waste segregation
b) Waste disposal
c) Waste transportation
d) Waste recycling
Answer: c) Waste transportation
6. Leachate is commonly associated with which waste management technique?
a) Incineration
b) Composting
c) Landfilling
d) Recycling
Answer: c) Landfilling

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 7. What is the most preferred option in the waste management hierarchy?
a) Landfilling
b) Energy recovery
c) Waste prevention
d) Recycling
Answer: c) Waste prevention

8. Which method of waste management involves decomposition of organic waste into

nutrient-rich soil?
a) Incineration
b) Landfilling
c) Composting
d) Recycling
Answer: c) Composting

9. What is the primary challenge in waste incineration?

a) High operational costs
b) Air pollution
c) Energy inefficiency
d) Limited waste types
Answer: b) Air pollution

10. Municipal solid waste includes:

a) Industrial sludge
b) Household waste
c) Mining debris
d) Hazardous waste
Answer: b) Household waste

11. What is the role of segregation in SWM?

a) Reducing waste volume
b) Simplifying recycling and disposal
c) Increasing landfill space
d) Collecting hazardous materials
Answer: b) Simplifying recycling and disposal
12. C&D waste refers to:
a) Chemical and debris waste
b) Construction and demolition waste
c) Commercial and domestic waste
d) Carbon and diesel waste
Answer: b) Construction and demolition waste

Biomedical Waste Management (BMW)

13. What percentage of hospital waste is considered hazardous?
a) 5%
b) 15%
c) 30%

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 d) 50%
Answer: b) 15%

14. Biomedical waste is primarily generated from:

a) Hospitals
b) Laboratories
c) Veterinary institutions
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

15. Which of the following is considered biomedical waste?

a) Expired medicines
b) Human anatomical waste
c) Contaminated gloves
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

16. The yellow color-coded bin is used for:

a) Chemical waste
b) Sharps
c) Infectious waste
d) General waste
Answer: c) Infectious waste

17. Biomedical waste must be treated within:

a) 12 hours
b) 24 hours
c) 48 hours
d) 72 hours
Answer: c) 48 hours

18. What is the recommended disposal method for sharp biomedical waste like needles?
a) Incineration
b) Deep burial
c) Autoclaving
d) Shredding
Answer: a) Incineration

19. Autoclaving of biomedical waste is a process that uses:

a) Chemicals
b) High-pressure steam
c) Incinerators
d) UV radiation
Answer: b) High-pressure steam

20. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of biomedical waste?

a) Infectious
b) Non-degradable
c) Hazardous
d) Odorless
Answer: d) Odorless

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 21. Which waste management method is the most effective for infectious biomedical waste?
a) Recycling
b) Composting
c) Incineration
d) Landfilling
Answer: c) Incineration

22. What is the main objective of biomedical waste management?

a) Protect the environment
b) Prevent the spread of infection
c) Ensure proper disposal
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

23. The white translucent bin in BMW is used for:

a) Plastic waste
b) Human anatomical waste
c) Sharps
d) General waste
Answer: c) Sharps

Environmental Legislation

24. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, require waste generators to segregate waste
into:
a) Two categories
b) Three categories
c) Four categories
d) Five categories
Answer: b) Three categories

25. Who is responsible for implementing SWM Rules, 2016, at the local level?
a) State Pollution Control Boards
b) Urban Local Bodies
c) Central Government
d) Recycling companies
Answer: b) Urban Local Bodies

26. The SWM Rules, 2016, mandate the collection of non-biodegradable waste for recycling by:
a) Private entities
b) Municipal authorities
c) Waste generators
d) NGOs
Answer: b) Municipal authorities
27. Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016, were introduced to:
a) Manage solid waste
b) Prevent infectious diseases
c) Regulate hazardous waste transportation

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 d) Monitor air pollution
Answer: b) Prevent infectious diseases

28. Who is responsible for compliance with BMW rules?

a) Hospitals and clinics
b) Research institutions
c) Veterinary clinics
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

29. Under BMW Rules, which agency monitors compliance?

a) Pollution Control Boards
b) Local municipalities
c) Central Government
d) Private hospitals
Answer: a) Pollution Control Boards

30. What is the penalty for non-compliance with BMW or SWM rules?
a) Warning
b) Monetary fines and/or imprisonment
c) Suspension of operations
d) Both b and c
Answer: d) Both b and c

Case studies on waste management options

1. What is the primary purpose of studying case studies in waste management?
a) To learn about the types of waste
b) To understand real-world applications of waste management methods
c) To memorize waste management rules
d) To assess laboratory waste data
Answer: b) To understand real-world applications of waste management methods

2. Which case study is an example of successful waste-to-energy conversion?

a) Sweden's national waste management program
b) India's solid waste landfill projects
c) E-waste recycling initiatives in Africa
d) Composting projects in South America
Answer: a) Sweden's national waste management program
3. What is a key lesson from the "Zero Waste" initiative in San Francisco?
a) Landfilling is more effective than recycling.
b) Segregation at the source is critical for achieving zero waste goals.
c) Incineration is the best way to manage waste.
d) Hazardous waste should be buried in landfills.
Answer: b) Segregation at the source is critical for achieving zero waste goals.

4. Which waste management strategy was implemented in the Alappuzha (India) waste-free
city project?
a) Incineration
b) Decentralized composting

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 c) Open dumping
d) Importing waste for energy production
Answer: b) Decentralized composting

5. The "Kamikatsu Zero Waste" case study in Japan demonstrates the importance of:
a) Landfilling hazardous waste
b) Implementing strict waste segregation practices
c) Using only incinerators for waste disposal
d) Avoiding public involvement in waste management
Answer: b) Implementing strict waste segregation practices

6. What is a notable benefit of the Pune (India) SWaCH cooperative for waste pickers?
a) Elimination of landfills
b) Formalization and improved working conditions for waste pickers
c) Transition to automated waste collection systems
d) Increase in open dumping practices
Answer: b) Formalization and improved working conditions for waste pickers

7. Which of the following is an outcome of effective waste management case studies?

a) Improved waste disposal techniques
b) Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
c) Increased public awareness about waste management
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
8. What lesson can be drawn from the Curitiba (Brazil) waste management case study?
a) Public participation plays a critical role in sustainable waste management.
b) Landfilling is the best option for waste disposal.
c) Recycling facilities are not cost-effective.
d) Waste segregation is unnecessary if incineration is used.
Answer: a) Public participation plays a critical role in sustainable waste management.

9. In which country is 99% of household waste recycled or used for energy, setting a global
example for waste management?
a) India
b) Sweden
c) China
d) USA
Answer: b) Sweden

10. What was a key feature of the Milan (Italy) case study on organic waste collection?
a) Separate collection of biodegradable waste for composting
b) Use of large-scale incinerators for all waste
c) Combining organic waste with general waste
d) Exporting waste for processing
Answer: a) Separate collection of biodegradable waste for composting

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Module 5
E-Waste Composition and Generation

1. What does "E-waste" stand for?

a) Environmental waste
b) Electronic waste
c) Energy waste
d) Electrical waste
Answer: b) Electronic waste

2. Which of the following is NOT an example of e-waste?

a) Mobile phones
b) Old televisions
c) Plastic bottles
d) Computer keyboards
Answer: c) Plastic bottles
3. What is the primary component of e-waste?
a) Plastics
b) Metals
c) Glass
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

4. Which country generates the highest amount of e-waste globally?

a) India
b) USA
c) China
d) Germany
Answer: c) China

5. Which sector contributes most to e-waste generation?

a) Residential
b) Agricultural
c) Industrial and IT sector
d) Construction
Answer: c) Industrial and IT sector

E-Waste Pollutants and Hazardous Properties

6. Which hazardous material is commonly found in old CRT monitors?

a) Lead
b) Mercury
c) Cadmium

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 d) Arsenic
Answer: a) Lead

7. What toxic substance is found in fluorescent bulbs?

a) Mercury
b) Chromium
c) Cadmium
d) Nickel
Answer: a) Mercury

8. Which material in e-waste is a known carcinogen?

a) Copper
b) Chromium VI
c) Silicon
d) Aluminum
Answer: b) Chromium VI

9. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in e-waste releases harmful:

a) Dioxins and furans
b) Lead and zinc
c) Arsenic compounds
d) Ammonia gas
Answer: a) Dioxins and furans

10. Which hazardous metal in e-waste is most harmful to the nervous system?
a) Lead
b) Mercury
c) Cadmium
d) Beryllium
Answer: b) Mercury

Effects of E-Waste Pollutants

11. Which health issue is commonly caused by cadmium in e-waste?

a) Bone diseases
b) Liver damage
c) Kidney damage
d) Neurological disorders
Answer: c) Kidney damage

12. Exposure to lead in e-waste affects primarily the:

a) Respiratory system
b) Nervous system
c) Digestive system
d) Reproductive system
Answer: b) Nervous system

13. Burning e-waste releases which harmful gases?

a) Methane and CO2
b) Dioxins and furans

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 c) Ozone
d) Sulfur dioxide
Answer: b) Dioxins and furans

14. Which of the following is an environmental impact of e-waste pollutants?

a) Soil contamination
b) Water pollution
c) Air pollution
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

15. Improper e-waste disposal in landfills leads to:

a) Release of greenhouse gases
b) Heavy metal leaching into groundwater
c) Increased recycling rates
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Heavy metal leaching into groundwater

Domestic E-Waste Disposal

16. What is a common domestic method for disposing of e-waste in developing countries?
a) Open dumping
b) Landfilling
c) Burning
d) Recycling by informal sectors
Answer: d) Recycling by informal sectors

17. Which is the most sustainable way to manage e-waste at the household level?
a) Burning
b) Landfilling
c) Recycling through authorized channels
d) Storing unused devices
Answer: c) Recycling through authorized channels

18. What is the main challenge in domestic e-waste disposal?

a) Lack of awareness
b) Insufficient recycling infrastructure
c) High cost of proper disposal
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

19. In India, e-waste from households is primarily handled by:

a) Authorized recycling companies
b) Informal sector
c) Municipal corporations
d) Government agencies
Answer: b) Informal sector
20. What practice is encouraged to reduce domestic e-waste generation?
a) Buying new devices frequently

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 b) Extending the lifespan of devices through repair
c) Dumping e-waste in landfills
d) Exporting waste to other countries
Answer: b) Extending the lifespan of devices through repair

Principles and Components of E-Waste Management

21. The first step in e-waste management is:

a) Transportation
b) Disposal
c) Collection and segregation
d) Landfilling
Answer: c) Collection and segregation

22. The "3Rs" in e-waste management stand for:

a) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
b) Remove, Reprocess, Recycle
c) Reuse, Repair, Recycle
d) Reduce, Repair, Replace
Answer: a) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

23. Which of the following is NOT a component of e-waste management?

a) Collection
b) Incineration
c) Recycling
d) Landfilling of hazardous components
Answer: b) Incineration

24. Which is a key principle of sustainable e-waste management?

a) Circular economy
b) Open dumping
c) Shortening device lifespan
d) Use of non-recyclable materials
Answer: a) Circular economy

25. Urban mining refers to:

a) Extracting minerals from urban areas
b) Recovering valuable materials from e-waste
c) Disposing waste in cities
d) Reducing landfill usage
Answer: b) Recovering valuable materials from e-waste

E-Waste Legislation

26. The E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, were introduced under:
a) Environment Protection Act, 1986
b) Water Act, 1974
c) Air Act, 1981

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 d) Hazardous Waste Rules, 2008
Answer: a) Environment Protection Act, 1986

27. What is a key feature of the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022?

a) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
b) Abolishment of recycling laws
c) Ban on e-waste export
d) No responsibility for manufacturers
Answer: a) Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

28. Under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2011, producers are responsible for:
a) Selling devices
b) Managing the end-of-life of their products
c) Collecting data on device usage
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Managing the end-of-life of their products

29. The 2022 E-Waste Rules emphasize:

a) Formalizing the informal sector
b) Preventing e-waste imports
c) Phasing out toxic substances in electronics
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above

30. What is the target recycling rate for e-waste as per the E-Waste (Management) Rules,
2022?
a) 20%
b) 50%
c) 70%
d) 100%
Answer: c) 70%

E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2023

1. What is the primary focus of the E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2023?
a) Increasing landfill space for e-waste
b) Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance
c) Banning electronic imports
d) Eliminating recycling targets
Answer: b) Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance

2. Which organization is responsible for monitoring EPR compliance under the 2023 rules?
a) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
b) Ministry of Electronics and IT
c) National Green Tribunal (NGT)
d) State Pollution Control Boards
Answer: a) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

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 3. What is the main objective of introducing recycling certificates in the 2023 amendment?
a) To encourage informal recycling
b) To track and verify e-waste recycling
c) To reduce the need for EPR compliance
d) To ban exports of e-waste
Answer: b) To track and verify e-waste recycling

4. Under the 2023 rules, manufacturers must ensure:

a) Immediate disposal of electronic waste
b) Collection and recycling of a certain percentage of their e-waste
c) Collaboration with informal recyclers
d) Zero e-waste generation
Answer: b) Collection and recycling of a certain percentage of their e-waste

5. The 2023 amendment focuses heavily on:

a) Increasing penalties for non-compliance
b) Formalizing the recycling sector
c) Reducing electronic imports
d) Stopping the use of hazardous chemicals in devices
Answer: b) Formalizing the recycling sector

E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2024

6. What new provision is included in the 2024 amendment to improve e-waste management?
a) Mandatory tracking of e-waste using digital tools
b) Elimination of recycling targets
c) Complete ban on informal recycling
d) Subsidies for electronic imports
Answer: a) Mandatory tracking of e-waste using digital tools

7. The 2024 rules emphasize:

a) Decentralized e-waste collection systems
b) Strengthened penalties for illegal dumping
c) Reduced producer responsibilities
d) Incentives for discarding old electronics
Answer: b) Strengthened penalties for illegal dumping
8. What is the expected role of consumers under the 2024 rules?
a) Avoid returning old devices
b) Segregate and deposit e-waste at collection points
c) Directly recycle devices at home
d) Ignore e-waste disposal guidelines
Answer: b) Segregate and deposit e-waste at collection points

9. One significant change in the 2024 rules is the inclusion of:

a) Targets for phasing out hazardous substances in devices
b) Elimination of compliance reporting
c) Reduction in penalties for e-waste mismanagement

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 d) Permission for informal sector processing
Answer: a) Targets for phasing out hazardous substances in devices

10. What is the long-term goal of the 2023 and 2024 amendments?
a) To achieve zero e-waste by 2030
b) To enhance the circular economy and resource recovery
c) To eliminate e-waste tracking systems
d) To reduce government involvement in e-waste management
Answer: b) To enhance the circular economy and resource recovery

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