Question

The "State of Garbage in America" survey shows how much municipal solid waste (MSW) U.S. residents generate. Results vary from state to state. In 2006, the daily average was 7.56 pounds MSW per person. By comparison, other high-income nations generate 2.64 pounds of waste a day. The world average is 1.47 pounds per day. Calculate the amount of MSW generated in 1 day and in 1 year by each of the groups if they generated waste at the rate of the U.S., other high-income nations, and the world average. For the U.S., convert the pounds of MSW to tons. (Divide pounds by 2000.) Suppose your town of 50,000 people generated the same amount of MSW as the world average. How many tons of MSW would the town generate per day? per year? How much longer would a landfill of the same capacity serve the town?

Answer 1

The amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in 1 day and 1 year can be calculated using the given rates for the U.S., other high-income nations, and the world average. For a town of 50,000 people, the amount of MSW generated per day and per year can also be calculated. The landfill capacity cannot be determined without additional information.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in 1 day and 1 year by each group, we need to use the given rates:

U.S. residents: 7.56 pounds MSW per person per day

Other high-income nations: 2.64 pounds MSW per person per day

World average: 1.47 pounds MSW per person per day

To calculate the amount generated in 1 day:

U.S. residents: 7.56 pounds/person/day * 1 ton/2000 pounds = 0.00378 tons/person/day

Other high-income nations: 2.64 pounds/person/day * 1 ton/2000 pounds = 0.00132 tons/person/day

World average: 1.47 pounds/person/day * 1 ton/2000 pounds = 0.000735 tons/person/day

For 50,000 people:

World average: 0.000735 tons/person/day * 50,000 people = 36.75 tons/day

For 1 year:

World average: 36.75 tons/day * 365 days/year = 13,418.75 tons/year

By using the rates for the U.S. and other high-income nations, you can calculate the amounts generated in 1 day and 1 year for those groups as well. As for the landfill capacity, that information is not given in the question, so it cannot be determined.