Here is the full data for the question.
Each person in the state of Texas generate roughly 7.5 pounds of municipal solid waste each day. Of this amount, roughly 35 percent of the waste is currently recycle in Texas. Studies have shown that the maximum amount of waste that could be realistically recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill is 50 percent.
(NOTE: for tons, use I ton -2,000 pounds unless otherwise specified)
11. For a community/service area of 200,000 people, calculate the amount:
Total MSW each year, in pounds? ? Tons?
II. Total MSW currently recycled each year, in pounds? Tons?
III Amount of the MSW that could realistically be diverted from the landfill if recycling was maximized to the nearest pound.
12. Using the current recycling rate, calculate the amount of MSW sent to a landfill over 15 years period to the nearest pound.
13. If a landfill has a density of 1,200 pounds per cubic yard, what would be the volume required for 15- years worth of MSW to the nearest cubic yard?
Answer:
Explanation:
11)
I) The amount of total MSW generated per day in pounds is = 1,500,000 Pounds
The total MSW generated per day in tons is = 750 Tons
The amount of the total MSW generated per year in pounds will be:
= 1,500,000 × 365
= 547,500,000 Pounds
The amount of the total MSW generated per year in tons is
= 750 × 365
= 273,750 Tons
II)
The amount of the total MSW currently recycled per day is pounds
= 1,500,000 × (35/100)
= 525,000 Pounds
Total MSW currently recycled per day in tons is
= 750 × 35/100
= 262.5 Tons
The amount of the total MSW currently recycled per year in pounds is
= 525,000 × 365
= 191,625,000 Pounds
The amount of the total MSW currently recycled each year in tons is
= 262.5 × 365
= 95812.5 Tons
III) The required amount of MSW which could realistically be diverted from the landfill suppose that the recycling was maximized (for each person) is
= 7.5 × (50/100)
= 3.75 Pounds
≅ 4 Pounds
The required amount of MSW which could realistically be diverted from the landfill suppose recycling were maximized (for the total population) is:
= 1,500,000 × (50/100)
= 750,000 Pounds
12)
Applying the current rate of recycling, the amount of MSW sent to landfill over a 15 year period (for each person) is:
= 7.5 × (100-35)/100
= 4.875 Pounds each day
= 4.875 × 365 × 15
= 26690.625 Pounds/ 15 years/person
≅ 26,691 Pounds/ 15 years/person
For 1 year period:
By applying the current rate of recycling, the required amount of MSW sent to landfill over (for total population) is:
= 547,500,000 × (100-35)/100)
= 355,875,000 Pounds
For 15 years period:
By applying the current rate of recycling, the amount of MSW sent to landfill (for total population) is:
= 355875000 × 15
= 5,338,125,000 Pounds
13)
The volume required for the landfill for 15 years worth of MSW is:
= 5,338,125,000/1,200
= 4,448,437.5 Cubic yard
≅ 4,448,438 Cubic yard