Disposal of Addition Polymers (Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Modular))
Revision Note
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 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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