Ways of reducing the use of resources Flashcards – AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Chemistry — Higher

How does reducing material use affect resource and energy needs?

Using less material in the first place means fewer resources and less energy are needed overall.

How can reusing a product reduce the need for new products?

Using it again instead of throwing it away after one use can avoid making a replacement.

How can recycling keep materials in use when products cannot be reused?

Used materials are processed so they can be made into new products.

What two broad benefits do reducing, reusing and recycling have?

They cut waste and reduce the need to extract fresh raw materials.

What three approaches to reducing resource use can be compared?

Reducing use, reusing products and recycling materials.

What four factors should be considered when evaluating a resource-reduction method?

• Need for new raw materials
• Energy use
• Waste avoided
• Environmental damage from extraction and processing

Why is no single resource-reduction method always the best option?

The best choice depends on the material and circumstances, so advantages and disadvantages must be weighed.

What are two ways a metal product can be recycled into a new product?

It can be melted and recast into a new shape, or reformed into a different product.

How does recycling metals affect the need for new metal from raw materials?

It reduces the amount of new metal that must be obtained from raw materials.

What two factors determine how much sorting and purification are needed when recycling a metal?

The metal being recycled and the properties required in the final product.

How does a final product’s tolerance of mixed material affect the separation needed in metal recycling?

If it can tolerate some mixed material, less separation may be acceptable.

How can scrap steel be used to reduce the amount of iron extracted from iron ore?

Some scrap steel can be added to iron from a blast furnace.