Solid waste recycling reduces which pollutant emissions?

Solid waste recycling reduces which pollutant emissions?

• A. Nitrogen emissions
• B. Nitrogen dioxide emissions
• C. Carbon monoxide emissions
• D. Sulfur dioxide emissions

Answer: (B)

Recycling saves energy, and using less energy means burning fewer fossil fuels in factories and power plants. When fossil fuels are burned, nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), form at high temperatures. Since NO2 is a major pollutant linked to smog and urban air quality, cutting energy use through recycling directly lowers NO2 emissions. The other options are not as directly tied to the energy savings from recycling. A vague term like nitrogen emissions doesn’t specify the pollutant form, and while carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide can also be reduced with lower energy use, NO2 best captures the direct relationship between recycling and reduced combustion-related emissions.

Recycling saves energy, and using less energy means burning fewer fossil fuels in factories and power plants. When fossil fuels are burned, nitrogen oxides (NOx), including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), form at high temperatures. Since NO2 is a major pollutant linked to smog and urban air quality, cutting energy use through recycling directly lowers NO2 emissions.

The other options are not as directly tied to the energy savings from recycling. A vague term like nitrogen emissions doesn’t specify the pollutant form, and while carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide can also be reduced with lower energy use, NO2 best captures the direct relationship between recycling and reduced combustion-related emissions.