Disposing polymers

• What is the main issue with disposing of old plastic bottles and packaging?

  It impacts the environment significantly
• What are polymers made from?

  Crude oil
• Why is crude oil considered a finite resource?

  It will eventually run out
• How does increased use of crude oil resources affect its price?

  It increases the price of crude oil products
• What are some uses of crude oil besides making plastics?

  Used for petrol and heating homes
• How much plastic waste is generated each year in the UK?

  Over 2 million tonnes
• What is a key environmental concern regarding plastic waste?

  Finding ways to reduce this waste
• What happens to a lot of plastic waste?

  It gets dumped in landfill sites
• Why is it difficult to separate different polymers in landfills?

  They are mixed together
• What is a consequence of losing valuable land due to plastic waste?

  It quickly gets used up for landfills
• What is a major characteristic of most polymers?

  They are non-biodegradable
• How long can polymers sit in landfills?

  For years
• What is one method of disposing of polymers?

  Combustion
• What is a downside of burning plastics?

  It produces toxic gases
• What can uncontrolled burning of plastics lead to?

  Toxic gas release
• What is a potential benefit of burning plastics?

  Generating electricity
• What must be controlled when burning plastics?

  Release of toxic gases
• What happens if toxic gases are not managed during combustion?

  They can harm the environment
• What is a significant challenge in managing plastic waste?

  Finding effective disposal methods
• What is one way to mitigate plastic waste issues?

  Recycling polymers
• How does recycling polymers help the environment?

  It reduces landfill waste
• What is a key factor in the environmental impact of polymers?

  How they are disposed of
• What is a common use of chlorinated polymers?

  Used in various applications
• What is the environmental concern with chlorinated polymers?

  They can release toxic gases
• What is the dilemma regarding the remaining oil resources?

  How to use them sustainably
• What is a potential solution to the polymer waste problem?

  Recycling and reusing materials
• What is the impact of plastic waste on the environment?

  It causes significant harm
• Why is it important to find ways to reduce plastic waste?

  To minimize environmental damage
• What is the relationship between polymer disposal and environmental sustainability?

  Improper disposal harms sustainability
• What is a significant challenge in recycling plastics?

  Different types are hard to separate
• What is a common method of disposing of polymers?

  Landfilling
• What is the consequence of polymers being non-biodegradable?

  They persist in the environment
• How does the disposal of polymers affect future generations?

  It creates long-term environmental issues
• What is a potential environmental benefit of recycling plastics?

  It reduces landfill waste
• What is a key factor in the sustainability of polymer use?

  Effective disposal methods
• What is the impact of plastic waste on wildlife?

  It can harm or kill animals
• What is the significance of managing plastic waste effectively?

  It protects the environment and health
• What is a common misconception about burning plastics?

  It is always environmentally friendly
• What is a potential risk of burning plastics?

  Release of toxic gases
• What is a key takeaway regarding polymer disposal?

  It requires careful management