Reducing waste

• Life Cycle Assessment

  Analysis of the impact products have on the environment
• Stages of Investigation

  • Raw materials needed
  • Manufacturing
  • Use of product
  • Disposal of product
• Phytomining


  1. Plants absorb mineral ions through their roots

  2. Reduces the need for mining

  3. Conserves limited supply of high-grade ores

  4. Reduces toxic waste from traditional mining

  5. Reduces waste and the need for fewer quarries for finite resources
• Phytomining


  Reduces the need for mining
• Phytomining


  Conserves limited supply of high-grade ores
• Phytomining


  Reduces rock waste from traditional mining
• Bioleaching


  1. Bacteria break down low-grade ores to produce an acidic solution containing different ions, e.g., copper ions

  2. Little energy required

  3. Produces toxic substances that could damage the environment
• Bioleaching


  Produces toxic substances that could damage the environment
• Solution formed is leachate and the process is bioleaching
• The Haber Process


  Produces ammonia used to make fertilisers
• Nitrogen and hydrogen are pumped through pipes
• Pressure is increased to 200 and heated to 450°
• Iron catalyst is added
• Mixture is cooled and ammonia made liquefies
• Unreacted nitrogen and hydrogen are recycled