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Subjects · Leaving Cert Home Economics

Leaving Cert Home Economics: The environment

How often The environment comes up on the Home Economics papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

OL Asked on 4 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026.

The environment, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on The environment.

(a)Crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on an electrical product means?
  1. It is made from recycled plastic and metal parts
  2. It must not be put in general household waste
  3. It can go in the brown bin with food waste
(b)Rule when a shop sells a new fridge and the buyer has an old one?
  1. The shop only takes it back if it still works
  2. The shop may charge any fee it sets to take it
  3. The shop must take back the old fridge free of charge
(c)Top priority in the waste hierarchy?
  1. Prevention, avoiding waste in the first place
  2. Disposal in a well-managed landfill site
  3. Recycling, turning the waste into new products
Show the answers

(a) It must not be put in general household waste

(b) The shop must take back the old fridge free of charge

(c) Prevention, avoiding waste in the first place

Your turn: Higher Level questions on The environment.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025Not asked
2024A14
2023A11
2022A14
2021Not asked
2019A11, A12
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016A12

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More The environment questions

The environment, 3 marks

Meaning of the Green Dot symbol on packaging?

  1. The packaging is made entirely from recycled material
  2. The packaging is fully biodegradable and can be composted at home
  3. The producer has paid towards the recovery and recycling of packaging
Show the answer

The producer has paid towards the recovery and recycling of packaging

The Green Dot does not mean the pack itself can be recycled. In Ireland the fee goes to Repak, which funds packaging recycling.

The environment, 2 marks

What does the EU Ecolabel (the flower symbol) show?

  1. The product has been given an A grade on the EU energy label
  2. The product has a reduced environmental impact across its whole life cycle
  3. The product was made in the EU from certified organic ingredients
Show the answer

The product has a reduced environmental impact across its whole life cycle

The flower is awarded to goods such as detergents, paints and paper that meet strict EU standards from raw materials through to disposal.

The environment, 3 marks

Why is food waste in landfill harmful to the environment?

  1. It rots without oxygen and gives off methane, a greenhouse gas
  2. It stops the plastic and paper from breaking down in the landfill
  3. It releases CFCs that damage the ozone layer as it rots
Show the answer

It rots without oxygen and gives off methane, a greenhouse gas

Food rotting in landfill makes methane and polluting liquid called leachate. Composting it in the brown bin turns it into useful compost instead.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 4 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026A11
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021A11
2019A12
2018Not asked
2017A12
2016Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More The environment questions

The environment, 2 marks

The symbol of three arrows chasing each other in a loop means?

  1. The item is organic
  2. The item is safe for children
  3. The item can be recycled
Show the answer

The item can be recycled

This is the recycling symbol. If a percentage is printed inside it, that shows how much recycled material the item contains.

The environment, 3 marks

The Green Dot on packaging means?

  1. The food inside is organic and free of additives
  2. The maker has paid towards recycling packaging
  3. The pack is made of glass that can be reused
Show the answer

The maker has paid towards recycling packaging

The Green Dot shows the company has paid a fee to Repak, which funds packaging recycling in Ireland. It does not prove the pack is recyclable.

The environment, 2 marks

Which is an example of air pollution?

  1. Smoke from burning coal
  2. Litter on a beach
  3. Loud music at night
Show the answer

Smoke from burning coal

Car exhaust, factory fumes and smoke from coal fires pollute the air. Litter is land pollution and loud music is noise pollution.

Other Home Economics topics

All of Leaving Cert Home Economics