Question

many communities have started programs to dispose of evergreen trees after the holiday season. these programs allow individuals to bring these trees to be shredded, and the resulting chips are spread around parks and recreational areas as mulch. these programs benefit the environment by
(1) increasing pollution in parks
(2) taking up more space in landfills
(3) returning materials to the environment
(4) increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

Explanation:

• Option (1): Increasing pollution in parks is harmful, not a benefit, so this is incorrect.
• Option (2): Taking up more landfill space is negative, not a benefit, so this is incorrect.
• Option (3): Shredding trees into chips and using them as mulch returns organic material to the environment, which is beneficial (e.g., improves soil, recycles nutrients).
• Option (4): Increasing carbon dioxide is harmful (contributes to climate change), not a benefit, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

(3) returning materials to the environment