NYC Sanitation MCQ Exam 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under NYC law, which of the following materials is classified as e-waste and must NOT be placed in regular refuse?
- Cardboard boxes
- Old televisions and computers (Correct answer)
- Metal food cans
- Plastic shopping bags
Correct answer: Old televisions and computers
Electronic waste (e-waste) such as TVs and computers contains hazardous materials and must be disposed of through designated NYC e-waste programs.
Question 2: What is the purpose of the NYC DSNY 'snow alert' system?
- To notify residents of delayed trash collection
- To mobilize sanitation workers for snow removal operations (Correct answer)
- To warn workers about slippery loading dock conditions
- To schedule additional recycling pickups
Correct answer: To mobilize sanitation workers for snow removal operations
A snow alert activates DSNY's snow removal operations, deploying sanitation workers and equipment to plow and salt city streets.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes a 'residential zone' designation in NYC sanitation routing?
- Any area with more than 10 apartment buildings
- Areas served by curbside pickup rather than container service (Correct answer)
- Zones where collection occurs only on weekdays
- Streets with a speed limit under 25 mph
Correct answer: Areas served by curbside pickup rather than container service
Residential zones are served by curbside collection where residents place bags or bins at the curb, as opposed to commercial container service.
Question 4: A sanitation worker receives a noise complaint from a resident during an early morning collection. The worker should:
- Stop collecting and wait until 8 AM
- Acknowledge the complaint politely and continue following the authorized schedule (Correct answer)
- Issue the resident a noise ordinance warning
- Report the resident to a supervisor
Correct answer: Acknowledge the complaint politely and continue following the authorized schedule
NYC sanitation collection is authorized during early morning hours; workers should be courteous but continue their legally scheduled work.
Question 5: What is the function of a 'salt spreader' used by NYC DSNY during winter operations?
- It distributes sand to improve truck traction
- It disperses salt or brine on road surfaces to prevent ice formation (Correct answer)
- It melts snow using heated water spray
- It marks plowed road boundaries for traffic control
Correct answer: It disperses salt or brine on road surfaces to prevent ice formation
Salt spreaders distribute de-icing agents on road surfaces to lower the freezing point of water and prevent or break up ice accumulation.
Question 6: NYC Local Law 199 of 2019 requires commercial establishments to do which of the following by 2024?
- Use only clear plastic bags for refuse
- Place all refuse in containers rather than bags on the sidewalk (Correct answer)
- Compost 50% of all food waste generated
- Hire private carting companies exclusively
Correct answer: Place all refuse in containers rather than bags on the sidewalk
Local Law 199 mandates containerization of commercial waste to reduce sidewalk clutter and improve sanitation worker safety.
Question 7: During collection, a sanitation worker discovers a bag containing what appears to be medical waste (syringes). The correct action is to:
- Use puncture-resistant gloves and collect it normally
- Leave it and report it to a supervisor for hazmat handling (Correct answer)
- Place it in a separate compartment of the truck
- Dispose of it in the nearest public litter basket
Correct answer: Leave it and report it to a supervisor for hazmat handling
Medical waste including sharps requires special handling by certified hazmat personnel and must not be collected through regular sanitation routes.
NYC Sanitation MCQ Exam 3
Under NYC law, which of the following materials is classified as e-waste and must NOT be placed in regular refuse?