recycling polymers Flashcards
(7 cards)
1
Q
recycling polymers
A
- conserves finite fossil fuels
- decreases the amount of waste going into landfill
- costly to sort by hand
- mixing of polymers makes them unusable
2
Q
PVC recycling
A
- release toxic hydrogen chloride and dioxides when burnt
- solvent used to dissolve the polymer
- the solvent is then recovered by precipitation and used again
3
Q
using waste polymers as fuel
A
- can be incinerated to produce heat with generates steam to turn the turbines which produces electricity
4
Q
feedstock recycling
A
- reclaiming monomers from waste polymers
- can be used as raw materials for the production of new polymers
5
Q
bioplastics
A
- made from plant based materials
- renewable and sustainable
6
Q
biodegradable polymers
A
- broken down by bacteria into water, carbon dioxide and other biological compounds
7
Q
photodegradable polymers
A
- contain bonds that are weakened by absorbing light
