Disposal of Addition Polymers (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry: Double Science)

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Disposal of polymers

  • Addition polymers are formed by the joining up of many small molecules with strong C-C bonds
  • This makes addition polymers unreactive and chemically inert so don’t easily biodegrade

Disposal of polymers, Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry

Disposal of addition polymers is an environmental problem

Landfills

  • Waste polymers are disposed off in landfill sites but this takes up valuable land, as addition polymers are non-biodegradable so micro-organisms such as decomposers cannot break them down
  • This causes sites to quickly fill up

Incineration

  • Polymers release a lot of heat energy when they burn and produces carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change
  • Polymers that contain chlorine such as PVC release toxic hydrogen chloride gas when burned
  • If incinerated by incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide will be produced which is a toxic gas that reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

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Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.