Question

Open burning dumps for the disposal of solid wastes are not preferred because

• A. burning reduces the volume of the waste
• B. burning increases the volume of the waste
• C. burning completely reduces the wastes to ash
• D. they often serve as breeding ground for rats and flies

Answer 1

The correct option is D they often serve as breeding ground for rats and flies

Municipal solid wastes include all the wastes generated from homes, offices, stores, schools, etc. These are collected and disposed of by the municipality. Examples of municipal solid wastes include food wastes, e-wastes such as discarded batteries, paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc.
These wastes are often disposed of by burning in open dumps to reduce their volume and turn them to ash. Open burning dumps are, however, not preferred because often the wastes do not burn to completion thus leading to air pollution. They also serve as breeding gounds for flies and rats.
Sanitary landfills were introduced as substitutes to open burning dumps. These are areas where solid wastes are compacted, dumped into trenches dug in the ground and covered with dirt everytime new waste is dumped.