IB ESS SL 7.3.7 Waste disposal options Question Bank

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]

Note to examiners: An isolated statement eg "incineration has been better" or an unjustified opinion eg "I think incineration has been better" should not be considered as a valid conclusion. The conclusion must be supported/justified by points raised that must have at least addressed both sides of the argument. A valid conclusion may, however, be stated within the body of the response rather than at the end, and may involve some balanced decision.