Waste Management and Sustainability Flashcards
7 cards from real CEH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Waste Management and Sustainability flashcards as text
What is 'source reduction' in the context of hotel waste management?
Answer: Minimizing waste generation before it occurs by changing purchasing or practices
Source reduction targets waste prevention upstream — reducing how much waste is created in the first place rather than managing it after the fact.
A guest requests that their linens not be changed daily. Which waste management and sustainability benefit does this practice most directly support?
Answer: Lower water, energy, and chemical use in the laundry operation
Skipping daily linen changes reduces laundry loads, saving water, energy, and detergent chemicals per guest stay.
What does 'universal waste' refer to in U.S. EPA regulations relevant to hotels?
Answer: Common hazardous items like batteries, fluorescent lamps, and electronics managed under simplified rules
The EPA's Universal Waste Rule covers commonly generated hazardous items such as batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides, providing streamlined disposal requirements.
Which approach to chemical procurement best supports both waste reduction and cost savings in housekeeping?
Answer: Buying concentrated chemicals and diluting on-site with dispensing systems
Concentrated chemicals used with on-site dilution systems reduce packaging waste, lower shipping emissions, and cut per-unit chemical costs.
In a hotel's recycling program, what is 'contamination' and why is it problematic?
Answer: Non-recyclable materials placed in recycling bins that can ruin entire loads
Contamination occurs when non-recyclables are mixed into recycling, potentially causing haulers to reject and landfill the entire batch.
A hotel is auditing its laundry operation for sustainability. Which factor has the greatest impact on reducing energy waste in commercial laundry?
Answer: Ensuring washers run at full capacity and using cold-water cycles where appropriate
Full-load washing reduces energy per pound of laundry processed, and cold-water cycles significantly cut the energy used for water heating.
Which third-party certification program specifically recognizes hotels for their environmental and waste management practices in the United States?
Answer: Green Seal GS-33 or LEED for Operations and Maintenance
Green Seal GS-33 and LEED O+M are established third-party programs that certify hotels for environmental performance including waste management.