Recycling
Chemistry: Cambridge International A Level, topic 1.4.10
Reducing the Use of Resources
Our use of resources can be reduced by reusing and recycling existing materials or by encouraging people to use them less. This could:
Reduce waste production
- If materials are not reused or recycled, the materials are "waste" and accumulate in landfill sites.
Reduce environmental damage
- Resource extraction can cause significant environmental damage.
- More recycling and reusing materials can reduce resource extraction (like mining).
Increased efficiency
- Increased efficiency in terms of both cost and energy consumption.
Sustainability
- Ensure the preservation of raw materials for use by future generations.
Recycling Metals
The process of recycling involves melting metals before reshaping them. Recycling is preferable to mining and extracting new resources for the following reasons:
Less energy required
Fewer waste rock heaps
Reduced burning of fossil fuels
Conserves finite resources
Reducing the Use of Glass
Some glass products, such as bottles, can be reused as they are (in their current form). Glass products that can’t be reused can be recycled to make other glass products. The process of recycling glass involves four steps:
Sort
- Glass products are sorted for recycling by colour and chemical composition.
Crush
Melt
Reshape
Test yourself on Recycling
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of reducing the use of resources?
When compared with mining and extracting, recycling metals...
What are the steps in the process of recycling metals?
Which of the following is not a factor used to sort glass products for recycling?
What do glass products get sorted by before being recycled?