Why Recycling Matters-Physics Behind Pollution and Solutions
Environmental Pollution and Recycling
Environmental pollution has been a major concern for centuries, but it was only during the industrial revolution of the 19th century when it became significant.
Pollution happens when the environment can't destroy or degrade an object that causes harm to it.
It is a global challenge where hazardous materials are degraded very slowly by wild animals. The advanced molecular biological tools, when applied to the conventional approach, help us rapidly degrade hazardous materials from the environment.
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Environmental pollution is a desirable change that affects the physical, biological, or chemical characteristics of the components of the environment.
This causes a harmful effect on the environment.
How is the Environment Polluted?
Environmental pollution is an essential threat to the environment that we are facing today. With each passing year, it is increasing and causing irreparable damage.
The urbanization of the society, an increasing number of vehicles, factories, household waste, sewage, industrial waste, etc. is increasing day by day, thereby causing environmental pollution.
The discharge of the industrial, domestic, factory, and other waste in the waterways is a major source of pollution. Throwaway of tons of solid and other particulate waste also results in various environmental pollution.
How does Pollution Affect the Environment?
Till now, we have discussed only the causes of pollution. Let us now try to know about the negative effects that are caused to the environment:
a. Effects on Humans
Environmental pollution can cause severe diseases and organ malfunction in humans. These effects can also cause long-term neuro-affections in the body.
Respiratory problems, skin allergies, asthma, irritation of the eyes, and nasal passages are the common issues that are caused in humans.
b. Effects on Animals
Environmental pollution makes the living environment of animals toxic and inhabitable. Acid rain mainly changes the composition of sea and rivers, making it poisonous for aquatic animals.
A high quantity of ozone in the lower part of the atmosphere causes serious lung problems for animals.
c. Effects on Plants
Acid rain affects not only animals but also plants and trees. When the plants are affected, it also causes an indirect impact on the animals.
The growth and development of plant life requires minerals and nutrients, which is unusually destroyed by pollution.
d. Effects on the Ecosystem
Environmental pollution altogether causes damage to the ecosystem by causing a negative impact on it. Most of the environmental pollution is caused by human activities.
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Benefits of Recycling Plastic
There are many benefits of recycling plastic, and we have mentioned here six benefits of recycling plastic:
i. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)
ii. High Economic Impact
Recycling plastic waste generates twice the economic impact compared to just disposing of it in a landfill.
iii. Energy Conservation
The industrial and factory manufacture of any product consists of a number of processes like:
Extraction of raw materials
Processing
Manufacturing
Removing unwanted waste, and
Disposal, etc.
iv. Saving Petroleum
Plastic is usually made from either natural gas or the derivatives of crude oil. Production of plastic requires a large huge array of petroleum products.
Experiments show that up to 40% of oil consumption can be reduced by recycling plastic waste. According to this figure, recycling a ton of plastic waste can save around 16 barrels of oil.
v. Reduction of CO2 Emission
If the consumption of oil is reduced, it reduces the emission of CO2 and other harmful greenhouse gases.
The emission of greenhouse gases is also caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which can be reduced to an extent.
vi. Saving Landfill Space
Recycling helps in waste management, as it saves the space available for landfills.
They require a lot of space as the waste generated is very high and increasing day by day.
Waste Paper Recycling Process
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Recycling of waste paper and its management is one of the most demanded businesses. This is because the paper is the most recycled product in the world.
Paper scrap can be used to produce a new paper product, which in turn benefits the economy significantly.
The recycling process of paper is mentioned below:
a. Collection
The first step of the recycling process is the collection of used paper products. Paper to be recycled is gathered from many different sources and products, and it is kept apart from other types of waste because contaminated papers cannot be recycled.
b. Transportation
After collection, the paper is transferred to a paper recycling plant by an or a truck. The transportation team provides their exceptional service for quick pickup of waste materials.
c. Sorting
Sorting is a process in which paper is arranged in different categories like cardboard, newspapers, papers, office papers, magazines, etc.
d. Pulping
In the next step, the transported paper is slushed into a pulp and removes large non-fibrous contaminants like staples, plastic, glass, etc.
e. De-Inking
De-inking of paper is done to increase its whiteness and purity. It is done through a combination of mechanical processes that involves shredding and the addition of chemicals.
f. New Paper-Making
This is the final process of paper recycling. A new paper is made in this process. The clean paper pulp is ready to be utilized after this process.
FAQs on Environmental Pollution and Recycling: Physics Concepts Made Easy
1. What is environmental pollution and what are the main types of pollutants?
Environmental pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or energy into the natural environment, causing adverse change. These harmful substances are known as pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash, or man-made (anthropogenic), such as industrial waste, sewage, and plastic. They degrade the quality of our air, water, and soil, posing a threat to human health and ecosystems.
2. What are the major types of environmental pollution?
The major types of environmental pollution are categorized based on the part of the environment they affect. Key examples include:
- Air Pollution: The contamination of air by harmful gases, dust, and smoke, primarily from vehicle emissions and industrial processes.
- Water Pollution: The contamination of water bodies like rivers, lakes, and oceans, often caused by industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of sewage.
- Soil Pollution: The degradation of land quality due to the presence of chemicals or other alterations, such as industrial waste, pesticides, and deforestation.
- Noise Pollution: The presence of excessive or disturbing noise that can harm the activity or balance of human or animal life, originating from traffic, machinery, and loud music.
3. What is recycling and why is it an important method for controlling pollution?
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. Its importance in controlling pollution is significant because it provides a direct solution to waste management. By recycling, we reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, which in turn lowers soil and air pollution. It also conserves natural resources like timber, water, and minerals, and often saves energy compared to producing new materials from raw sources.
4. What are some common materials that can be recycled and how does this process help the environment?
Many everyday materials can be recycled, helping to reduce environmental strain. Common examples include:
- Paper and Cardboard: Recycling paper saves millions of trees from being cut down, conserves water, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Plastics: Recycling plastics, such as PET bottles and HDPE containers, reduces the need for new petroleum extraction and minimises the amount of plastic ending up in oceans and landfills.
- Glass: Glass can be recycled endlessly without any loss in quality. This saves energy and reduces the consumption of raw materials like sand.
- Metals: Recycling metals like aluminium and steel uses significantly less energy than producing them from virgin ore, cutting down on mining-related pollution.
5. What is the difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants?
The key difference lies in their ability to be broken down by natural processes. Biodegradable pollutants are substances that can be decomposed by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi over time. Examples include food waste, paper, and sewage. In contrast, non-biodegradable pollutants cannot be broken down by natural agents. They persist in the environment for thousands of years, causing long-term harm. Examples include plastics, synthetic fibres, and heavy metals.
6. How does the '3 R's' principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) work together to minimise environmental impact?
The '3 R's' represent a hierarchy of actions for sustainable waste management. Reduce is the most effective step, involving consuming less and generating less waste in the first place. Reuse is the next best option, which means using items multiple times before discarding them, like using a refillable water bottle. Recycle is the final step, where waste materials are processed to create new products. They work together by providing a comprehensive strategy: reducing the source of waste is paramount, reusing extends an item's life, and recycling handles the waste that is still generated.
7. Does recycling completely solve the problem of pollution?
No, recycling does not completely solve the pollution problem, but it is a crucial part of the solution. While highly beneficial, the recycling process itself requires energy and can produce its own byproducts. Furthermore, not all materials are recyclable, and many can only be recycled a limited number of times before their quality degrades. Therefore, while recycling is essential for managing waste, the most effective strategies for combating pollution are reducing consumption and reusing items whenever possible.
