Materials Flashcards
What are the three restrictions for a sustainable use of materials?
The three restrictions for a sustainable use of materials are:
- limited availability of non-renewable resources
- limited assimilation capacity of emitted substances
- limited space (land and sea).
Present an example of a material connected to the restriction limited availability of non-renewable resources and explain why it is important to recycle it
Rare earth metals like neodymium and dysprosium, used in wind turbines, electric vehicle motors, and electronics, are finite and often sourced from a few geographic locations, such as China.
These metals are crucial for green technologies, but their limited availability and concentrated supply chains pose significant risks to long-term resource sustainability. Recycling rare earth metals from discarded electronics (e-waste) can reduce the strain on natural reserves and decrease the need for environmentally harmful mining processes.
By recycling rare earth metals, we can ensure their continued use in critical technologies without depleting these non-renewable resources
Present an example of a material connected to the restriction limited assimilation capacity of emitted substances and explain why it is important to recycle it
Plastics, particularly single-use plastics, are derived from petrochemicals and often end up in landfills or oceans, taking hundreds of years to break down. The environmental pollution caused by plastics highlights the ecosystem’s limited capacity to assimilate emitted substances.
The planet’s natural systems (e.g., oceans, soil) cannot absorb the vast quantities of plastic waste being produced without serious ecological damage. Recycling plastic helps limit the emission of plastic pollutants, reducing the load on ecosystems and lowering carbon emissions by using recycled material instead of virgin petrochemicals.
Present an example of a material connected to the restriction limited space and explain why it is important to recycle it
Aluminum is a widely used material in packaging, transportation, and construction. Although abundant, aluminum production requires significant space for mining bauxite ore, the primary source of aluminum, and also creates large amounts of waste, including red mud.
Recycling aluminum can drastically reduce the space needed for both mining and waste disposal. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be reused without losing quality. By recycling, we reduce the need for new mining sites and prevent the accumulation of waste in landfills.
What is dissipative use of materials?
Dissipative use of materials refers to the use of materials in a way that leads to their permanent loss or degradation after their initial use, meaning they cannot be recovered or recycled efficiently. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of sustainability and resource management, as dissipative uses can contribute to resource depletion and environmental pollution.
Which are the four socio-ecological principles?
- Substances extracted from the lithosphere must not systematically accumulate in the ecosphere
- Society-produced substances must not systematically accumulate in the ecosphere
- The physical conditions for production and diversity within the ecosphere must not systematically be deteriorated
- The use of resources must be efficient and just with respect to meeting human needs
Describe one main challenge for the use of materials that is in connection to one of the four socio-ecological principles: Substances extracted from the lithosphere must not systematically accumulate in the ecosphere:
Accumulation(=gradvis, öka över tid) of heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury) and fossil fuel emissions.
Many materials are extracted from the Earth’s crust (lithosphere) and then released into the environment. For example, the extraction and use of fossil fuels release CO₂ and other pollutants, leading to global warming and ocean acidification. To follow this principle, we need to reduce the use of materials that cannot be safely assimilated by nature, such as through reducing reliance on fossil fuels or developing technologies to capture and recycle hazardous emissions.
Describe one main challenge for the use of materials that is in connection to one of the four socio-ecological principles: Society-produced substances must not systematically accumulate in the ecosphere
Accumulation of synthetic chemicals and plastics in ecosystems
Synthetic chemicals like pesticides, industrial pollutants, and plastics are created by society and do not break down easily in natural ecosystems. The increasing concentration of these substances in the environment disrupts food chains and ecosystems, leading to loss of biodiversity and contamination of natural resources. For instance, microplastics are found in oceans, soil, and even in living organisms. This principle calls for reducing the production of persistent, harmful substances, and prioritizing the use of biodegradable or recyclable materials that do not accumulate in nature.
Describe one main challenge for the use of materials that is in connection to one of the four socio-ecological principles: The physical conditions for production and diversity within the ecosphere must not systematically be deteriorated
Deforestation and habitat destruction due to material extraction and production.
The extraction of raw materials (like timber, minerals, and fossil fuels) often leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and the destruction of habitats. This not only diminishes biodiversity but also reduces the ecosystems’ ability to provide services like carbon sequestration and water purification. To align with this principle, material use and production processes must protect ecosystems, restore biodiversity, and prevent over-exploitation of natural resources. For example, sustainable forestry practices and reducing land-use impacts in mining are necessary.
challenge for the use of materials that is in connection to one of the four socio-ecological principles: The use of resources must be efficient and just with respect to meeting human needs
Inequitable access to resources and inefficient use of materials.
In many cases, resources are consumed disproportionately by wealthier countries, leaving lower-income nations with fewer resources or limited access to vital materials like clean water, energy, or food. Additionally, inefficient use of materials, such as excessive waste in production or consumer goods that are quickly discarded, increases resource demand and environmental pressure. This principle emphasizes the need for a fair distribution of resources and the efficient use of materials to ensure that all people can meet their basic needs sustainably. Addressing this challenge may involve reducing material consumption in developed countries, improving recycling efforts, and promoting circular economy models globally.
For which types of materials can a “dissipative use” be especially problematic from a sustainability perspective? You should also explain why.
Dissipative use refers to the application of materials in a way that they become widely scattered in the environment, making recovery difficult or impossible. From a sustainability perspective, dissipative use is particularly problematic for the following types of materials:
- Toxic metals (e.g. mercury)
- Plastics and microplastics
- Phosphorus and Nitrogen in fertilizers
- Rare earth elements (REEs)
What is dematerialization?
Dematerialization refers to the reduction of material use in products and processes while maintaining or improving functionality. It involves minimizing the amount of raw material used and extending product life, promoting efficiency, and reducing waste generation.
What is transmaterialization?
Transmaterialization involves substituting environmentally harmful or scarce materials with more sustainable or abundant alternatives. This often means replacing materials that are resource-intensive, non-renewable, or toxic with those that are renewable, recyclable, or less harmful.
What are appropriate materials and applications for dematerialization?
- Metals and minerals
- Plastics
- Consumer electronics
- Automotive and aviation
- Packaging
What are appropriate materials and applications for transmaterialization?
- Non-renewable or toxic materials
- Scarce or non-recyclable materials
- Construction materials - cement
- Packaging and consumer goods - single use plastics
- Energy storage - cobalt in batteries
What can the indicator ”static life time” for reserves say and what can it not say and why?
The static life time of reserves is an indicator that estimates how long known reserves of a resource (e.g., minerals, fossil fuels) will last at current rates of production. It is calculated as the ratio of the total known reserves of a resource to the current annual production rate. For example, if a country has 100 million tons of a resource and extracts 10 million tons per year, the static life time would be 10 years.
It can say:
- Current reserve longevity
- Resource management indicator
It can’t say:
- Changes in production or demand
- Technological changes
- Substitution of resources
What could be the future challenges with mining of metals and why?
- Reduced concentrations in ore - most easily accessible mineral deposits are exhausted
- Increased energy use - mining deeper and more remote
- Increased environmental pressure - deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution from chemicals
- Increased cost - by all of the above
Describe the four material management strategies, which have been presented in the course, and how these can be used in the management of limited non-renewable resources.
- Transmaterialization
- Dematerialization
- Circular economy
- Extended product life
Describe in which three different ways there can be a limited availability of non-renewable resources
- Physical scarcity
- Economic scarcity
- Geopolitical scarcity
Explain the five factors in the following equation: I=imu*P
- I (Impact): This is the total environmental impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, or pollution.
- i (Impact per unit of material or energy use): This factor reflects the environmental impact per unit of material or energy used. For example, the amount of CO2 emitted per ton of steel produced.
- m (Material or energy intensity per unit of service): This represents the amount of material or energy required to provide one unit of service. For instance, how much fuel is needed per kilometer driven in a car.
- u (Service intensity per capita): This is the number of units of service used per person. For example, how many kilometers a person travels in a year.
- P (Population): The number of people consuming services or goods. More people generally mean more consumption and a greater environmental impact.
Describe four different types of strategies to reduce the factors i and m in the equation I=imu*P and give examples for each one of them
Strategies to reduce i and m: often technology based such as:
Increase Efficiency (Reduce 𝑚).By making processes more efficient, the amount of material or energy required to produce a given service or product is reduced, thus lowering material/energy intensity (𝑚). Example: fuel-efficient vehicles
Switch to Lower-Impact Materials or Energy Sources (Reduce 𝑖) by substituting. This strategy involves substituting materials or energy sources with alternatives that have a lower environmental impact per unit. Example: Switching from coal (high carbon impact) to renewable energy sources
Design for Material Reduction or Circular Economy (Reduce 𝑚). Reducing the material intensity by designing products that use fewer raw materials or by adopting practices like recycling and reuse. This lowers the material needed for each service or product. Example: Lightweighting vehicles by using advanced materials like aluminum or carbon fiber reduces the material per car produced
Improve Product Longevity and Durability (Reduce 𝑚). By designing longer-lasting products, the frequency of material and energy use is reduced over time, decreasing overall material intensity per service. Example: Durable appliances, such as refrigerators that last 20 years instead of 10
How can the recycling rates improve?
- charges and subsidies ex. charge for landfilling
- Legislation ex. extended producer liability: producers are responsible for taking care of and recycling their products after use
- Increased collection rates of discarded products
- Improved design for recycling
- Enhanced deployment of modern recycling methodology
