IB ESS HL 7.3.7 Waste Disposal Options Questions

Strengths of using incineration: [3 max]
cheaper/costs;
reduces amount of waste more quickly than recycling/incineration can be faster/quicker;
ash may be used as a raw material (e.g. road building/fertilizers);
can deal with waste that cannot be recycled;
can kill disease agents;
can reduce the toxicity of waste;
can produce energy;


Weaknesses of using incineration: [3 max]
residues still require disposal /residues require landfill space;
residues/ash from combustion can be toxic;
may produce undesirable air pollutants (such as carbon dioxide/GHGs/dioxins linked to cancer/linked to health problems);
transportation concerns/costs;
capacity limitations;
reluctance of some owners/operators/residents;
it does not reduce resource use as recycling does;

Appraisal / Conclusion which adequately considers both strengths and weaknesses of incineration and implies which side is stronger based on evidence provided. [1 max]