220-1102 Practice Question: During a software deployment, a technician must…

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

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  Throw them in the general office trash bin.

  Why it's wrong here

  Disposing of optical media like CDs or DVDs in general office trash bins is environmentally irresponsible. These discs are primarily made of polycarbonate plastic, which is not biodegradable and will persist in landfills for hundreds of years, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. Furthermore, they may contain trace amounts of metals or dyes that can leach into the environment. Proper disposal methods involve recycling or reuse to minimize ecological impact.

• ✗

  Shred them and put the pieces in the recycling bin.

  Why it's wrong here

  Shredding optical media before placing it in a standard recycling bin is generally ineffective and can even be counterproductive. Most municipal recycling facilities are designed to process larger, identifiable plastic items, and the small, irregular pieces created by shredding can jam machinery or be misidentified. These fragments often fall through sorting screens, ending up as residual waste or contaminating other recyclable streams, making them unrecyclable. Specialized recycling programs are typically required for optical media.

• ✓

  Donate them to a local school or non-profit that can use them.

  Why this is correct

  Donating functional optical media, such as software installation discs or educational content, to local schools or non-profit organizations is an excellent and environmentally responsible disposal method. This practice promotes reuse, significantly extending the lifecycle of the media and reducing the demand for new manufacturing. It directly minimizes electronic waste (e-waste) by diverting items from landfills and provides valuable resources to organizations that can benefit from them, aligning with sustainability principles.

• ✗

  Burn them in an incinerator to generate energy.

  Why it's wrong here

  Burning optical media, even in an incinerator, is an environmentally hazardous disposal method due to the release of toxic substances. When polycarbonate plastics and their coatings combust, they can release harmful chemicals such as dioxins, furans, and heavy metals into the atmosphere. These pollutants pose significant health risks and contribute to air pollution and acid rain. This method is not recommended for general disposal, especially for small quantities without specialized industrial emission controls.

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