Activity Investigate the effect of water and rainwater on the following materials: paper, cardboard, aluminium, an iron nail and plastic.
1. Put each of the materials into a beaker of water and into a beaker of weak acid (rainwater).
2. Leave the experiment set up for two weeks. 3. Observe how each material has changed. 4. What do your observations tell you about the breakdown of these materials?
Fig. 11 Rusting oil drums.
Fig. 12 Rubbish in the sea.
26.4 Recycling materials In Ireland the following items and materials are commonly recycled: paper and cardboard, aluminium and steel cans, glass bottles, plastic packaging, textiles, print cartridges, household appliances, batteries, paint, light bulbs, gas canisters, fire extinguishers and waste oils. Most of our recycling waste is shipped abroad.
