Disposing of polymers

Question 1

What is the biodegradability of polyalkenes like?

Answer 1

They are non-biodegradable

Their bonds are non-polar so they are not susceptible to attack from nucleophiles such as water

Question 2

What is the biodegradability of condensation polymers like?

Answer 2

Biodegradable

Their bonds are polar so they are susceptible to attack from nucleophiles such as water

Question 3

What are three options for waste plastics?

Answer 3

Burying in landfill
Burning as fuel
Recycling

Question 4

Why might plastics be buried in landfill?

Answer 4

If they are difficult to separate from other waste
Not in sufficient quantities to make it financially worthwhile
Too difficult to recycle technically

Question 5

Why are plastics burnt?

Answer 5

They can be burned and the heat released can be used to generate electricity

Question 6

What is the issue with burning plastics?

Answer 6

Waste gases need to be passed through scrubbers, as they may be toxic, which will neutralise them
Waste gases will still contribute to greenhouse effect

Question 7

What are the different ways to recycle plastics?

Answer 7

After sorting, some can be melted and remoulded.

Others can be cracked into monomers and then they can be used to make other chemicals

Question 8

What are advantages of recycling plastic?

Answer 8

Reduces the amount of waste going into landfill
Saves raw materials
Cost of recycling plastics is lower than making plastics from scratch
Produces less CO2 emissions than burning them

Question 9

What are disadvantages of recycling plastic?

Answer 9

Technically difficult
Collecting, sorting and processing the plastic is more expensive than landfill and burning
Cant remake the plastic you started with, have to make something else
Plastic can be easily contaminated