Polymers: Environment & Ethics
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 5.1.2
Environment & Ethics
When manufacturing any product it is important to think about how the material choice can impact our planet.
Non-renewable
- Polymers are manufactured from crude oil which means they are a non-renewable source.
Biodegradation
- Polymers take a long time to biodegrade which impacts the planet and our environment.
- It is estimated that some polymers can take hundreds of years to biodegrade.
Pollution
- Polymers give off toxic gas if burnt.
- Polymers pollute our water, rivers, and oceans.
Recyclable
- Thermoforming polymers such as acrylic and HIPS can be recycled.
- A lot of companies now use recycled polymers to manufacture their products.
- Not all polymers can be recycled which has a greater impact on the planet.
Test yourself on Polymers: Environment & Ethics
What are polymers manufactured from?
How many years does it take for polymers to biodegrade?