IB ESS HL 7.3.3 Waste variation Question Bank

a. Slovakia has more campaigns to educate the public on the reduction of waste;
b. Slovakia has laws to require less material used in packaging/reusing materials / stricter laws/regulations regarding littering;
c. Slovakia taxes/charges a higher fee on waste disposal;
d. Slovakia subsidizes home composters / citizens compost more at home (reducing organic material wasted);
e. Malta has more packaging due to higher levels of imported goods;
f. Malta may have a higher consumerism attitude/cornucopian / Slovakia may favor a self-sustained life-style/ecocentric;
g. Malta receives more tourists (per capita) than Slovakia;
h. Malta authorities estimate/measure waste weight more accurately;
i. Less gardens in Slovakia generate less yard trimmings; j. Slovakia may have more efficient technology that produces less waste;

Note to examiners: No credit for economic reasons, as the two countries have practically the same income level.
No credit for reference to differences in waste disposal methods, as these would not reduce per capita waste production; only manage them more efficiently.
No credit if statement does not indicate the higher amount of waste produced in Malta.
No credit for difference in population size, as this does not impact "per capita" value.

a. As incomes rise incineration plants become more affordable / incineration requires huge initial investment/entails high maintenance cost;
b. Technological advances allow for waste to energy production (available only in higher income countries);
c. As incomes rise, there is more waste that needs to be dealt with/landfills would fill up faster, increasing the need for incineration;
d. Higher skilled workers required (available only in higher-income countries);
e. As incomes rise, EVS may shift/better education promotes sustainability/decrease in the environmental impacts of landfills/open dumps;
f. because land values might increase, resulting in a desire for more space efficient solutions;

Note to examiners: Accept ECF only if the reason linked is valid for the response in 1c(i).