Life Cycle of Materials 26 Mine Extraction End of Life Transport Recycling
Factory manufactures metal sheet
Scrapyard
Distribution
Production and Use
Fig. 6 The life cycle of metals. SL
Science in Society Research how one metal is extracted and processed. Find out about the environmental and societal impacts of the methods used. Relate your findings to two or three other students and listen to what they have learned from their research.
Plastics Plastics are produced from crude oil. Plastics are long lasting, easy to mould and suitable for many uses. For these reasons plastics are used for an incredible range of items from plastic bags, disposable cutlery and lunchboxes to medical instruments, furniture, window and door frames, warehouse walls and roofs, television cases and car interiors. Plastics are very important materials but their production and disposal have a significant environmental impact. There is a risk of oil spills during the extraction and transport of oil. Plastics are not usually biodegradable so they remain in the environment and if they are burned they may release toxic fumes.
Biodegradable A substance that can break down in nature without producing harmful substances.
