Practice 7.3 Solid waste with authentic IB Environmental systems and societies (ESS) exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1, 2 structure, covering key topics like ecosystems, human impact, and sustainability. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Management of solid domestic waste in England, 2001–2018
Source: https://www.commercialwastequotes.co.uk/blog/uk-waste-data-insights/
1.[1]
With reference to Figure 1, identify the recycling rate in England in 2018.
2.[1]
Outline one reason for the shape of the recycling rate curve from 2013 to 2018.
3.[1]
Estimate the reduction in solid domestic waste (in million tonnes) going to landfill from 2001 to 2018.
4.[3]
Describe three reasons why the proportion of solid domestic waste being recycled/ composted and incinerated has changed.
5.[1]
Outline one reason why there has been an overall change in recorded total solid domestic waste between 2001 and 2018.
Question 2
HLPaper 2
1.[5]
Describe three principles of a circular economy as they apply to solid waste management.
Question 3
HLPaper 2
1.[6]
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of incineration as a solid waste disposal option.
Question 4
SLPaper 2
1.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two inputs to these storages.
2.[2]
The soil system includes storages of inorganic nutrients.
Identify two outputs from these storages.
3.[7]
Solid domestic waste may contain non-biodegradable material and toxins that have the potential to reduce the fertility of soils.
Explain how strategies for the management of this waste may help to preserve soil fertility.
4.[9]
The provision of food resources and assimilation of wastes are two key factors of the environment that determine its carrying capacity for a given species.
To what extent does the human production of food and waste each influence the carrying capacity for human populations?
Question 5
SL & HLPaper 2
1.[4]
Distinguish between domestic and agricultural sources and types of waste.
2.[7]
Using named examples, discuss the usefulness of consequentialist ethics in helping us make decisions regarding our choice of energy source.
3.[9]
Strategies for energy conservation are mainly ecocentric, while those for energy efficiency are mainly technocentric. Discuss this statement in relation to the strategies needed to achieve energy security.
Question 6
HLPaper 2
1.[3]
Suggest three sustainable options for managing solid domestic waste in urban areas.
Question 7
SL & HLPaper 2
Collected waste in England from 2000–2020
(Source: Data from Progress report on recycling and recovery targets for England 2020, Department for Environment Food & Rural affairs, can be accessed through www.gov.uk)
1.[1]
Estimate the amount of waste that was recycled in 2010.
2.[2]
Outline two reasons for the decrease in waste going to landfills.
3.[2]
Evaluate one of the waste disposal options shown in the graph.
Question 8
SLPaper 2
Figure 1: Domestic waste disposal for selected countries
1.[1]
Referring to figure 1, state the country that has the highest level of recycling/composting.
2.[2]
Outline two potential reasons for greater use of landfills in the United States compared to European countries.
3.[2]
Identify two problems associated with one of the waste disposal choices of Germany.
4.[2]
State two strategies for reducing the environmental impact of landfill sites.
Question 9
SLPaper 2
1.[4]
Outline two factors that enable a human population to increase its local carrying capacity.
2.[7]
Explain how the growth in human population can affect local and regional water resources.
3.[9]
To what extent would different environmental value systems be successful in reducing a society’s ecological footprint?
Question 10
SLPaper 2
Figure 3 shows the food loss and waste (in million tonnes per year) in a North American food production system.
1.[1]
(a) With reference to Figure 3, identify the stage that represents the greatest food loss and waste in North America.
2.[2]
Outline two strategies to reduce food waste at the 'distribution and retail' stage in North America.
3.[2]
With reference to a stage in Figure 3, describe one reason for a difference between food loss and waste in a less economically developed country (LEDC).
4.[6]
Discuss the sustainability of two solid domestic waste disposal strategies that can be used to manage food waste.