IB ESS SL 7.3.4 Waste impacts Question Bank
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 7.3.4 by applying waste impacts concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Course
- ESS SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB ESS SL/HL 7.3.4 by applying waste impacts concepts to exam-style environmental systems questions.

Figure Total carbon impacts of Scotland's 2018 household waste
Describe one possible reason why paper waste has double the overall carbon impact than that of metal waste in Figure.
Describe one possible reason why paper/cardboard waste has double the overall carbon impact of that of metal waste in Figure.
a. Metal waste is recycled while paper is not/is recycled less (in Scotland, not in general) / metal recycling is easier/more effective than recycling paper;
b. More paper waste is put into landfill than metal waste / landfill increases the overall carbon impact due to decomposition/methane release;
Note to examiners: Do not credit reference to production of paper vs. metal waste, as these values are equal.