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Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

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Atom Symbol

Chapter 1 - Models Of The Particulate Nature Of Matter

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 Globe with Meridians

Chapter 3 - Classification Of Matter

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Fire

Chapter 4 - What Drives Chemical Reactions?

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Rocket

Chapter 5 - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

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Test Tube

Chapter 6 - What Are The Mechanisms Of Chemical Change?

<ul>
	<li>Recycling plastics is the third approach for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics, after reduction and reuse.</li>
	<li>Challenges in recycling plastic include the energy-intensive nature of the process. Plastic waste must be sorted, cleaned, broken up, and melted.</li>
	<li>Some plastics release atmospheric pollutants when heated, making them unsuitable for recycling.</li>
	<li>Unlike glass and aluminium, recycled plastics often deteriorate in quality.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Most plastic waste is not recycled and is either incinerated or disposed of in landfills.</li>
	<li>Discarded plastics often end up in the oceans, persisting for long periods of time and posing risks to wildlife.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>There is growing interest in designing plastics that are durable for use but can biodegrade over time.</li>
	<li>Biodegradable plastics can facilitate bacterial action by having increased surface area, shorter polymer chains, or functional groups attractive to bacteria or light-sensitive.</li>
	<li>Hydro-biodegradable plastics, derived from plants, contain carbohydrates that can undergo hydrolysis. However, they must be disposed of in environments with adequate oxygen to avoid slow decomposition or production of harmful products like methane.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Microplastics are very small fragments of plastic, less than 5mm in size, that result from the breakdown of larger plastics.</li>
	<li>This is not biodegradation, as the plastics remain chemically unchanged.</li>
	<li>Due to their small size, microplastics can enter the food chain and be found in unexpected places.</li>
	<li>In 2022, microplastics from PET, polystyrene, and polyethylene were discovered in human blood. Their health impact is still unknown.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Consider a plastic water bottle. If not properly recycled, it might end up in the ocean, affecting marine life.</li>
	<li>Biodegradable plastics can be useful for items with a short lifespan, like food packaging. A good example is the use of cornstarch to make biodegradable cutlery.</li>
	<li>Microplastics could originate from broken-down plastic bags, which can then be ingested by fish, eventually making their way into the food chain and even into the human body.</li>
</ul>

Note: It is important to understand that while recycling and biodegradable plastics are better options than single-use plastics, reducing plastic consumption altogether is the most effective solution.

Plastic's Challenge: Recycling, Degradation, And The Environment

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Standard Level

Chemistry SL

Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

Plastic's Challenge: Recycling, Degradation, And The Environment

Table of content

Recycling challenges

Plastic waste disposal

Biodegradable plastics

Unlock the Full Content!

Chapter 2 - Models Of Bonding & Structure

Plastic's Challenge: Recycling, Degradation, And The Environment

Table of content

Recycling challenges

Plastic waste disposal

Biodegradable plastics

Unlock the Full Content!