Using Resources

Question 1

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to assess the impact on the environment caused by what ?

Answer 1

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to assess the impact on the environment caused by:
1. getting and processing raw materials
2. making the product (and any packaging)
3. using, reusing and maintaining the product
4. disposing of a product at the end of its useful life

Question 2

How is a LCA carried out ?

Answer 2

An LCA is carried out by:
1. listing all the energy and material inputs and outputs into the environment
2. evaluating the potentiial environmental impacts from these inputs and outputs
3. interpreting results to help make decisions about using one material, process, product or service over another

Question 3

Outputs in a LCA are what ?

Answer 3

Outputs in a LCA are:
1. atmospheric emissions
2. Waterbourne Wastes
3. Solid Wastes
4. Coproducts

Question 4

Why do LCAs Exists ?

Answer 4

LCAs will highlight environmental impacts when comparing products but they don’t take into account any differences in costs or performance

Question 5

Name one disadvantage of the LCA Cycle

Answer 5

Disadvantage of LCAs is that they can be biased.

Question 6

What does “disposing of a product at the end of its useful life” mean

Answer 6

The total energy used to extract materials, make the product, distribute it and any transport involved

Question 7

What is the life cycle of a product ?

Answer 7

Raw material extraction –> manufacture –> Use/Reuse/Maintenance –> Recycle/Waste Management

Question 8

Why is recycled aluminium better than extracted aluminium ?

Answer 8

Compare recycled aluminium with extracted aluminium, there is 95% energy saved

Question 9

What is the aim of reduce ,reuse, recycle campaign ?

Answer 9

The aim of the reduce, reuse recycle campaign is to reduce our use of:
1. limited resources
2. our use of energy
3. the waste we produce

Question 10

Why is recycling metals better than extracting them ?

Answer 10

• Recycling metals reduces the need to mine the metal ores, and prevents pollution problems from extractions and reduces habitats being destroyed from mining

Question 11

what is rusting

Answer 11

Rusting - the corrosion of iron

Question 12

what is the chemical reaction for rusting

Answer 12

Rusting = iron + oxygen + water–> hydrated iron (III) oxide

Question 13

Name 5 ways of preventing rust

Answer 13

You can prevent rust with:
1. paint
2. oil/grease
3. plastic
4. a less reactive material
5. a more reactive material - Iron is galvanized (coated with zinc) for sacrificaial protection