Solid domestic waste often contains non-biodegradable materials and toxic substances that can reduce the soil fertility

Explain how waste management strategies can stop this from happening and protect soil fertility [7 marks]

Indicative Content

Guidance

Waste management strategies can conserve soil fertility in the following ways:

Any seven from the following:

Implementation of proper waste separation at source → reduces amount of non-biodegradable material entering landfills; [1 mark]
→ prevents leaching of harmful substances into soil, preserving its fertility; [1 mark]
Recycling / waste reduction → decreases the release of non-biodegradable materials/toxins into soils; [1 mark]
→ by reducing the quantity of non-biodegradable materials/toxins manufactured; [1 mark]
Promoting more selective consumerism → encourages people to choose less toxic /safer/more environmentally friendly products; [1 mark]
→ helps avoid toxic products in domestic waste; [1 mark]
Better education / stricter regulations → encouraging proper disposal of hazardous waste reduces its impact on soil fertility; [1 mark]
→ fines/laws can play an important role in ensuring appropriate waste management / disposal of hazardous domestic waste in correct collecting facilities; [1 mark]
Incineration aids in breaking down non-biodegradable/toxic substances; [1 mark]
→ mineral content from incineration can sometimes be used to enhance soil fertility; [1 mark]
Ensuring landfills have effective lining → limits the release of non-biodegradable materials/toxins into the soil / prevent contamination of soils; [1 mark]
Deep well injection → injection of hazardous wastes deep undergound / into porous rock layers; [1 mark]
→ prevents soil toxification; [1 mark]
→ also preserves soil fauna/flora that are important for soil fertility; [1 mark]
Hazardous waste treatment → specialised methods for treating hazardous waste; [1 mark]
→ prevents direct disposal of toxic substances into soils; [1 mark]
Composting can restore/improve soils by providing nutrients / improving fertility / enhancing soil structure (although cannot break down non-biodegradable material/toxins); [1 mark]

The command word ‘explain’ requires you to give a detailed account, including reasons or causes

Always read the question carefully - here you are asked to discuss waste disposal strategies (plural) - so you need to include at least two different strategies in your answer in order to gain full marks

You will always have to answer two 7 mark questions from Section B in your IB ESS SL Paper 2 exam

Solid Domestic Waste (SL IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

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