C1:10 Polymer problems Flashcards
1
Q
What can be added to poly(ethene) to make it biodegradable?
A
starch. When wet bacteria break down the starch, causing the plastic to crumble into tiny pieces.
2
Q
what two methods are there of disposing of non-biodegradable plastics?
A
Landfill and incineration
3
Q
Why is recycling plastics expensive?
A
because sorting the various plastics often has to be done by hand.
4
Q
Why is burning plastics a waste of a valuable resource?
A
because they were derived from crude oil which is a scares resource. I should be burnt in a way that conserves the energy as heat or electricity.
