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Milk bottles can be made from glass or from a polymer - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Question 3
Milk bottles can be made from glass or from a polymer. Table 2 shows information about milk bottles of equal volume. Table 2 | Glass | Polymer ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Milk bottles can be made from glass or from a polymer - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2022 - Paper 2
Step 1
Raw materials
Answer
The production of glass requires raw materials such as limestone, sand, and sodium carbonate. Conversely, polymers are derived from crude oil, which is a finite resource. This means that, while polymer production consumes non-renewable resources, glass production requires the extraction of materials that can cause environmental damage through quarrying.
Step 2
Energy Consumption
Answer
The energy needed to process the raw materials is significantly higher for glass, at 6750 kJ, compared to just 1710 kJ for polymers. Additionally, manufacturing a glass bottle consumes 750 kJ versus only 90 kJ for a polymer bottle, highlighting the higher energy footprint associated with glass. This increased energy use translates into greater greenhouse gas emissions unless renewable energy sources are utilized.
Step 3
Usage Efficiency
Answer
Glass bottles can be reused approximately 25 times, making them more efficient over their lifespan compared to polymer bottles, which are typically used only once. This reuse inherently conserves resources and energy in the long run, reducing the environmental impact associated with the production of new bottles.
Step 4
Disposal Methods
Answer
At the end of their life cycle, both glass and polymer bottles are recyclable, which helps in conserving natural resources and lessening landfill waste. However, the recycling of glass bottles tends to be more effective in conserving finite resources compared to the recycling of polymers. Furthermore, recycling glass significantly conserves energy as it reduces the need for new glass production.
Step 5
Overall Evaluation
Answer
In conclusion, while glass bottles require more energy and raw materials in their initial production compared to polymer bottles, their reusability and recyclability present a compelling case for their environmental benefits in life cycle assessments. The total energy required for glass bottles over their entire life cycle is greater; however, the repeated use and resource conservation during recycling make glass a more sustainable option in long-term assessments.