Dealing with Polymer Waste

Question 1

why have we become more reliant on polymers in terms of how theyre produced

Answer 1

• they can be manufactured on a large scale

- they can have a variety of complex shapes and physical properties

Question 2

what is an advantage of using polymers rather than the traditional materials we used to use in terms of their properties

Answer 2

they are lighter in weight than traditional alternatives

Question 3

why is it better to have polymers rather than wood or metal for long periods of time

Answer 3

• they are unreactive
• so they can be used to contain substances safely for long periods
• whereas metal corrodes and wood rots

Question 4

what is the main reason why polymers have become such a widely used material

Answer 4

they are relatively cheap to mass produce and therefore buy

Question 5

why has the dumping of polymers in landfill reduced over the years recently

Answer 5

• there is limited space in landfill sites since they have been used for so long
• there are also rules in place to decrease the use of landfill

Question 6

how has the general public contributed to the reduced amount of polymers entering landfill

Answer 6

• there are designated wheelie bins where you can put plastics in to be recycled
• more people go to their local recycling centre

Question 7

what is the first and easiest step to reducing the problem of polymer waste

Answer 7

not using them unecessarily

Question 8

what is an example of how the unecessary use of polymers has been decreased

Answer 8

• supermarkets discouraging the use of free plastic bags by placing a price on them
• and encouraging the use of bags for life that can be used many times

Question 9

what is the second main method that is used to reduce polymer waste

Answer 9

not to throw it away but to put it to other uses

Question 10

what are the three ways that you can put polymers to other uses

Answer 10

• recycling
• incineration
• using as a chemical feedstock

Question 11

what does recycling simply mean in terms of polymers

Answer 11

converting into other materials

Question 12

what is the first step to the process of recycling and why is it important

Answer 12

• sorting
• its important because there are many types of polymer in use
• so mixtures of these types cannot be effectively processed together

Question 13

what is a drawback that comes with sorting and how has this been alleviated

Answer 13

• it is done by hand
• which is tedious and inefficient
• but polymers used to make most plastics can be identified by a code which helps the sorting process

Question 14

what is the second stage in recycling and what does it involve

Answer 14

• processing

- which involves chopping the waste into small pieces and washing it

Question 15

what is done to the polymers after they have been processed

Answer 15

• they are used to make new materials

- through methods like melting, moulding and fibre production

Question 16

what elements are most present in polymers and why

Answer 16

• carbon and hydrogen

- because they are made from monomers that are usually hydrocarbons

Question 17

why could you use polymers in an incinerator

Answer 17

• because hydrocarbons usually make good fuel

- and as polymers are made up of them so can they

Question 18

what does an incinerator do

Answer 18

• takes in polymer waste and converts it to heat energy

- which can be used to heat homes, factories or generate electricity

Question 19

why is there very little solid waste left after incineration

Answer 19

• because most of the atoms in the polymer end up in gaseous products
• which pass into the atmosphere through a chimney

Question 20

what is a disadvantage that comes with incineration

Answer 20

it causes are pollution

Question 21

why is incineration especially a big contributor to it

Answer 21

• as well as hydrogen and carbon there are other elements in polymer waste
• such as chlorine or toxic heavy metals from pigments used for colouring
• these pollutants are difficult to remove from the gas released

Question 22

how are polymers used as chemical feedstock

Answer 22

• the polymer waste is broken down into gases (H2 and CO)

- this produces feedstock that can be used in other chemical reactions, often to make new polymers

Question 23

why are polymers in landfill even a concern in the first place

Answer 23

• because they dont break down

- so they just take up space or harm the environment around them

Question 24

what are biodegradable polymers and where are they used

Answer 24

• polymers that can be broken down by microbes in the environment
• they are used in stitches and in drug delivery

Question 25

what are the disadvantages of biopolymers

Answer 25

• they are often made with plant material, so land is needed to grow them in the first place
• as they break down in the environment, the H or C atoms cant be directly used
• no recycling, incineration of use as chemical feedstock is possible

Question 26

why are life cycle analysis’ of polymers carried out

Answer 26

• to make decisions about the management of polymer waste
• to reduce the long term impact on the environment
• to compare different polymer uses