SWM DEQ UPDATED Exam
1. What is the primary goal of Solid Waste Management (SWM)?
A. To increase landfill capacity
B. To incinerate all waste
C. To protect public health and the environment
D. To produce electricity from waste
✅ Answer: C. To protect public health and the environment
Explanation: SWM focuses on sustainable handling, treatment, and disposal of waste
in a way that minimizes negative environmental and health impacts.
2. According to the DEQ, which of the following is the correct hierarchy of solid
waste management?
A. Landfilling, recycling, source reduction
B. Source reduction, recycling, disposal
C. Recycling, composting, incineration
D. Incineration, landfilling, source reduction
✅ Answer: B. Source reduction, recycling, disposal
Explanation: This follows the EPA’s and most DEQs’ waste management hierarchy to
reduce environmental impact.
3. What is the purpose of a landfill liner system?
A. To allow water to enter the landfill
B. To prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater
C. To make waste decomposition faster
,D. To trap landfill gases
✅ Answer: B. To prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater
Explanation: Liners are critical in protecting soil and groundwater beneath the
landfill.
4. What is leachate?
A. Gas released from landfill waste
B. Solid residue from incineration
C. Liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill
D. Wastewater from treatment plants
✅ Answer: C. Liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill
Explanation: Leachate is often contaminated and must be collected and treated
properly.
5. Which type of waste is typically classified as hazardous under DEQ regulations?
A. Banana peels
B. Used motor oil
C. Cardboard boxes
D. Aluminum cans
✅ Answer: B. Used motor oil
Explanation: Used oil contains contaminants that are regulated under hazardous
waste laws.
6. What agency is responsible for enforcing solid waste regulations in most U.S.
states?
A. FBI
B. DOT
C. DEQ
D. CDC
,✅ Answer: C. DEQ
Explanation: The Department of Environmental Quality enforces environmental
regulations, including those related to solid waste.
7. What is the required frequency for daily cover at municipal solid waste landfills?
A. Once a week
B. After every rainstorm
C. At the end of each operating day
D. Once per month
✅ Answer: C. At the end of each operating day
Explanation: Daily cover reduces odors, litter, and pest problems.
8. Which of the following is considered a recyclable material?
A. Polystyrene foam
B. Glass bottles
C. Plastic bags
D. Soiled diapers
✅ Answer: B. Glass bottles
Explanation: Glass bottles are widely recyclable, unlike foam or contaminated
materials.
9. What type of facility is designed to reduce the volume of solid waste through
burning?
A. Landfill
B. Compost facility
C. Transfer station
D. Incinerator
✅ Answer: D. Incinerator
, Explanation: Incinerators thermally process waste to reduce its volume.
10. Which document outlines how a facility will manage waste in compliance with
DEQ standards?
A. Certificate of Occupancy
B. Management Control Plan
C. Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
D. Fire Safety Manual
✅ Answer: C. Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
Explanation: This plan describes procedures, technologies, and protocols for
handling solid waste.11. What is the primary purpose of a transfer station in solid
waste management?
A. To compost organic waste
B. To incinerate waste
C. To temporarily store and consolidate waste for transportation
D. To recycle electronic waste
✅ Answer: C. To temporarily store and consolidate waste for transportation
Explanation: Transfer stations serve as intermediate points where waste is
compacted and transferred to larger vehicles for long-haul transport to disposal or
processing facilities.
12. What is the main environmental concern related to landfill gas?
A. High water consumption
B. Production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
C. Spread of bacteria
D. Damage to landfill liners
✅ Answer: B. Production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
Explanation: Methane is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in
landfills and contributes significantly to climate change if not captured or flared.
1. What is the primary goal of Solid Waste Management (SWM)?
A. To increase landfill capacity
B. To incinerate all waste
C. To protect public health and the environment
D. To produce electricity from waste
✅ Answer: C. To protect public health and the environment
Explanation: SWM focuses on sustainable handling, treatment, and disposal of waste
in a way that minimizes negative environmental and health impacts.
2. According to the DEQ, which of the following is the correct hierarchy of solid
waste management?
A. Landfilling, recycling, source reduction
B. Source reduction, recycling, disposal
C. Recycling, composting, incineration
D. Incineration, landfilling, source reduction
✅ Answer: B. Source reduction, recycling, disposal
Explanation: This follows the EPA’s and most DEQs’ waste management hierarchy to
reduce environmental impact.
3. What is the purpose of a landfill liner system?
A. To allow water to enter the landfill
B. To prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater
C. To make waste decomposition faster
,D. To trap landfill gases
✅ Answer: B. To prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater
Explanation: Liners are critical in protecting soil and groundwater beneath the
landfill.
4. What is leachate?
A. Gas released from landfill waste
B. Solid residue from incineration
C. Liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill
D. Wastewater from treatment plants
✅ Answer: C. Liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill
Explanation: Leachate is often contaminated and must be collected and treated
properly.
5. Which type of waste is typically classified as hazardous under DEQ regulations?
A. Banana peels
B. Used motor oil
C. Cardboard boxes
D. Aluminum cans
✅ Answer: B. Used motor oil
Explanation: Used oil contains contaminants that are regulated under hazardous
waste laws.
6. What agency is responsible for enforcing solid waste regulations in most U.S.
states?
A. FBI
B. DOT
C. DEQ
D. CDC
,✅ Answer: C. DEQ
Explanation: The Department of Environmental Quality enforces environmental
regulations, including those related to solid waste.
7. What is the required frequency for daily cover at municipal solid waste landfills?
A. Once a week
B. After every rainstorm
C. At the end of each operating day
D. Once per month
✅ Answer: C. At the end of each operating day
Explanation: Daily cover reduces odors, litter, and pest problems.
8. Which of the following is considered a recyclable material?
A. Polystyrene foam
B. Glass bottles
C. Plastic bags
D. Soiled diapers
✅ Answer: B. Glass bottles
Explanation: Glass bottles are widely recyclable, unlike foam or contaminated
materials.
9. What type of facility is designed to reduce the volume of solid waste through
burning?
A. Landfill
B. Compost facility
C. Transfer station
D. Incinerator
✅ Answer: D. Incinerator
, Explanation: Incinerators thermally process waste to reduce its volume.
10. Which document outlines how a facility will manage waste in compliance with
DEQ standards?
A. Certificate of Occupancy
B. Management Control Plan
C. Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
D. Fire Safety Manual
✅ Answer: C. Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP)
Explanation: This plan describes procedures, technologies, and protocols for
handling solid waste.11. What is the primary purpose of a transfer station in solid
waste management?
A. To compost organic waste
B. To incinerate waste
C. To temporarily store and consolidate waste for transportation
D. To recycle electronic waste
✅ Answer: C. To temporarily store and consolidate waste for transportation
Explanation: Transfer stations serve as intermediate points where waste is
compacted and transferred to larger vehicles for long-haul transport to disposal or
processing facilities.
12. What is the main environmental concern related to landfill gas?
A. High water consumption
B. Production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
C. Spread of bacteria
D. Damage to landfill liners
✅ Answer: B. Production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas
Explanation: Methane is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in
landfills and contributes significantly to climate change if not captured or flared.
