Materials Recycling and Reuse Concepts

Part I - Selection/Re-use & Recycling of Materials

• Freecycling: Recycling waste products by giving them to others for free.
• Non-biodegradable, reusable material: Materials like glass can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality.
• Materials cycle: A process involving raw materials, synthesis, processing, manufacture, assembly, application, and waste. The cycle is often represented as Earth → Raw Materials → … → Application → Waste → Earth.
• Glass composition: Glass is typically made of soda-lime, and borosilicate, but not alkaline materials.
• Creative Reuse: The purpose of recycling used waste product
• Deconstruction: Is a form of reusing existing materials; it involves breaking down items into their constituent components.
• Recycling alternatives: Natural gas, trees, and mineral ores are natural resources used as substitutes for raw materials in recycling. However, geothermal heat is presented as an exception.
• Reuse types: Downcycling, a type of reuse, is mentioned. It is distinguished from recycling and demolition.

Part II - Specific Recycling Questions

• Polypropylene recycle code: The recycle code for polypropylene is 5.
• High-density polyethylene recycle code: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) has a recycle code of 2.
• Polysterene recycle code: The recycle code for polystyrene is 6.
• Waste hierarchy second option: The second option in the waste hierarchy is reuse.
• Closed system: The environment, in terms of material resources, is a closed system.
• Typical recycled materials: Iron and steel scrap, aluminum cans, and glass bottles are often recycled.

This quiz covers essential concepts related to the selection, reuse, and recycling of materials. Explore topics such as freecycling, the materials cycle, and creative reuse. Test your knowledge on the properties and composition of materials like glass and understand the various types of recycling alternatives.