using resources - life-cycle assessment and recycling

Question 1

what does every product have an impact on

Answer 1

the environment

Question 2

what is a life cycle assessment

Answer 2

It attempts to put a number on the environmental impact of a product

Question 3

what do we need to assess the environmental impact of

Answer 3

extracting and processing raw materials

Question 4

how is plastic made

Answer 4

made from crude oil
- first the oil has to be extracted from the ground and then transported
- hydrocarbons have to be serrated and cracked
- polymer is produced

Question 5

as well as how the product was made what else do we have to think about for a life-cycle assessment

Answer 5

the disposal of the product at the end of tis useful life

Question 6

evaluate plastic bags

Answer 6

• made from chemicals produced by crude oil. this is non- renewable
• harmful to habitats
• large amount of energy to be processed
• strong and reused
• non biodegradable meaning it fills landfills and adds to litter

Question 7

evaluate paper bags

Answer 7

• made from wood from trees - this is renewable
• harmful to habitats
• rewires lots of water
• large amount of energy to be processed
• weak
• more energy to transport

Question 8

problems with life cycle assessments

Answer 8

• not entirely sure on the exact damage to the environment
• can be biased

Question 9

why is quarrying bad for the environment

Answer 9

• produces dust and destroys habitats

Question 10

why is mining bad for the environment

Answer 10

• destroys habitats

Question 11

how can we reduce our need for raw materials

Answer 11

by using and recycling helping to save energy, and limited resources, and waste

Question 12

what materials can be
- reused
- recycled

Answer 12

• glass
• plastic

Question 13

how can we recycle metals

Answer 13

melt them then recast them into different products