3.3.12.2 disposal of polymers

• disadvantages of polymers


  hard to get rid of as waste products
• polyalkenes (addition polymers)


  very inert with non-polar bonds - not easily broken down by species in nature
• addition polymers are non-biodegradable
• they have to be broken down by burning which produces harmful products e.g. SO2 or CO2 which can lead to acid rain
• how can polyesters and polyamides be broken down?

  hydrolysis - due to the polarity within the polymer molecules
• polyesters - biodegradable


  can be broken down easily in nature by naturally occurring water or moisture
• what can happen with polyesters and polyamides?

  can be put into landfill and will gradually break down
• recycling 


  some plastics can be recycled to save natural resources and reducing the amount of waste that has to be put in landfill
• troubles of recycling 


  difficult and time consuming process as all the plastics have to be sorted and washed before they can be recycled
• disposal of polymers