3.4.3 EXTRA - environmental effects of addition polymers (OCR/Edexcel)

pros of the lack of reactivity of addition polymers

cons of the lack of reactivity of addition polymers

it makes them useful molecules, e.g. they can be used for containers for food and drinks without the polymer reacting with the contents

it makes them non-biodegradable, meaning they can pollute the environment for decades or longer and can cause harm to wildlife, e.g.

• seabirds can become tangled in polymer waste or consume it, which can be fatal.

1. combust waste polymers to generate energy, instead of sending them to landfill:

2. polymer waste can be sorted then recycled into new products:

3. feedstock recyling

- waste polymers are converted back into simpler hydrocarbons that can then be cracked and converted into different polymers.

pros:

• less waste in landfill

pros:

• reduces the use of crude oil

• less waste in landfill

pros:

• the waste polymers do not need sorting.

• one polymer can be converted into a different polymer.

cons:

• can release harmful chemicals, e.g. combusting PVC releases HCl gas, which is corrosive.

cons:

• could be time consuming

cons:

• could be time consuming