Question

Identify the non-biodegradable wastes from the following:

[I.] Thermal power plants which produce fly ash

[II.] Wastes generated by cotton mills

[III.] Wastes produced by food processing units

[IV.] Slag produced from blast furnace

• A. I \& IV only
• B. II \& III only
• C. I \& III only
• D. II \& IV only

Hint:

Non-biodegradable wastes do not decompose or break down naturally and can cause environmental pollution if not handled properly. Identifying these types of wastes is crucial for proper waste management and environmental protection.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Analyze the nature of the waste from each source.
I. Thermal power plants which produce fly ash: Fly ash is a byproduct of burning pulverized coal in electric power generating plants. It is non-biodegradable because it consists mostly of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and calcium oxide (CaO), which do not break down organically.
II. Wastes generated by cotton mills: These are primarily biodegradable as they include organic cotton fibers and other biodegradable matter.
III. Wastes produced by food processing units: Such wastes are typically biodegradable because they consist of organic food residues.
IV. Slag produced from blast furnace: Slag is a stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore. It is non-biodegradable due to its mineral composition.
Conclusion: The non-biodegradable wastes are those from sources I (Thermal power plants which produce fly ash) and IV (Slag produced from blast furnace), aligning with option (1).