Problems with Polymers (Edexcel GCSE Chemistry)

Advantages

• Recycling is a more economically viable process than manufacturing from scratch
• It decreases the use of crude oil which allows it to be kept for other purposes
• It is better for the environment as plastic waste is being collected and reused, hence recycling reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases and other toxic gases produced during the manufacturing process
• It also reduces the amount of landfill sites needed
• Recycling is itself an entire industry which creates employment and economic growth

Disadvantages

• Sorting plastics by type of polymer is a tedious and labour intensive process which is costly
• Recycling counts on what is collected in as the raw material, therefore production of certain types of polymers may not be possible due to a lack of starting ingredients
• Melting polymers produces toxic gases that are harmful to plants and animals
• Polymers can only be recycled a number of times before they lose their properties and become useless
• Recycling runs the risk of mixing different polymers together, which again will affect their properties. This is particularly risky for polymers designed for specialist use such as aircraft or automobile parts, where safety is of utmost importance