4.1.11 Polymers - dealing with polymer waste

4.1.11 Polymers - dealing with polymer waste

1. Landfill

   • Large holes in landscape and rubbish is put in and compacted

2. Combustion

   • plastics are burnt and lead to CO2 being released and increasing greenhouse gases

3. Reusing

   • Reusing plastics i.e. plastic water bottles that last a long time

4. Recycling

   • Plastics are sorted into different types but this is expensive, they are melted and reshaped into new products

5. Organic Feedstock

   • breaks plastic up into smaller organic molecules and be used elsewhere in chemical industry

6. Biodegradable and Photodegradable

   • BIO: materials affected by the action of microorganisms and environmental conditions, leading to decomposition
   • PHOTO: materials affected by the action of sunlight, leading to decomposition