Assignment: ​ ​1st​ ​Partial​ ​Project​ ​Delivery

Professor: ​ ​Joel​ ​Martínez​ ​Camarillo

Names: ​ ​Daniela​ ​Benítez​ ​Castañeda

​ ​Mariana​ ​Castillo

​ ​Javier​ ​Cedillo

ID´s: ​ ​A01364888
​ ​A01365468
​ ​A01365328

Subject: ​ ​Chemistry​ ​I
Physical​ ​and​ ​Chemical​ ​Properties​ ​of​ ​Recyclable​ ​materials:

Recyclable​ ​Materials

● PET​: is a strong synthetic fibre. It’s highly resistant to deformation. It is produced by

the the polymerization of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid. The ethylene glycol is
a colourless liquid and the terephthalate acid are crystalline solids and when you
heat them, they produce PET in a viscous substance. PET maximum temperature is
70° C. It absorbs very little water. It's density is 1.38g/cm3 and its fusion point is 260º
C.
● Aluminium​: it’s shiny, strong and light in weight. It has very good solubility in diluted
acids and alkali metal hydroxides also dissolve metal aluminium. Its density is 2.7
g/mL. It has a fusion point of 933,47 K (660 °C) and a boiling point of 2519°C (2792
K).
● Paper​: it has a wet strength and that is its ability to maintain its tensile when wet.
They can retain 15% of their dry tensile strength. Fold ability is the ability to keep
tense while folding. It has a porosity that allows air to pass through it. If paper has a
low​ ​pH,​ ​it​ ​can​ ​interfere​ ​with​ ​the​ ​ink​ ​and​ ​if​ ​it​ ​has​ ​high​ ​pH,​ ​it​ ​can​ ​interfere​ ​with​ ​printing.

Non-recyclable​ ​Materials.

Cigarette​ ​Butts​ ​or​ ​Filters

Are the most commonly discarded piece of waste worldwide. It is estimated that 1.69 billion
pounds of butts wind up as toxic trash each year,
creating an enormous environmental, health, and
economic burden. is a huge environmental issue,
with a global impact -- it is both unsightly and
unhealthy.

Physically it consists of a tissue tube which holds a

filter and some remains of tobacco mixed with ash.
They are often moved along by the environment in which they are because they can go from
a​ ​street,​ ​to​ ​a​ ​river,​ ​or​ ​even​ ​getting​ ​to​ ​the​ ​beach,​ ​because​ ​they​ ​aren't​ ​biodegradable.
Chemically over 4000 chemicals may also be introduced to the environment via cigarette
particulate matter (tar) and mainstream smoke. Among of them are carbon monoxide,
hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons, ammonia, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde,
benzene, phenol, argon, pyridines and acetone, over 50 of
which​ ​are​ ​known​ ​to​ ​be​ ​carcinogenic​ ​to​ ​humans.

Snack​ ​Wrapper

Plastic​ ​wrappers​ ​and​ ​bags​ ​are​ ​made​ ​from​ ​three​ ​main

categories​ ​of​ ​plastics:​ ​polyethylene​ ​(PE),​ ​polyvinylidene
chloride​ ​(PVCD)​ ​and​ ​polyvinyl​ ​chloride​ ​(PVC).​ ​Plastic
resins​ ​are​ ​derived​ ​from​ ​petroleum.​ ​Plasticizers,​ ​colorants​ ​or​ ​anti-condensation​ ​compounds
could​ ​be​ ​added​ ​to​ ​the​ ​wrapper.

Alkaline​ ​Batteries

Chemically​ ​they​ ​are​ ​composed​ ​of​ ​Magnesium​ ​Oxide​ ​(MnO​2​)​ ​and

Zinc​ ​(Zn).​ ​Also​ ​it​ ​has​ ​an​ ​alkaline​ ​electrolyte​ ​of​ ​potassium
hydroxide.​ ​And​ ​physically​ ​they​ ​consist​ ​from​ ​a​ ​tube​ ​with​ ​2​ ​poles,
one​ ​positive​ ​and​ ​one​ ​negative.

Recycling​ ​Steps

Recycling can be defined as the beneficial process consisting in the collection and
processing of materials that are considered waste and turning them into a complete new and
innovative​ ​product​ ​that​ ​helps​ ​cover​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​needs​ ​in​ ​our​ ​everyday​ ​lives.

There are several benefits to recycling materials; among

the most important benefits we have that by using our
waste we will be able to reduce the size of landfills, which
are the source of many health problems, pollution and
landscape​ ​poisoning.​ ​Also​ ​we​ ​will​ ​b
e able to conserve our natural resources, as recycling or
junk less natural resources (such as water, oil, gas,
minerals,​ ​coal​ ​and​ ​timber)​ ​will​ ​be​ ​exploited.

It is also important to mention that recycling plays a huge role in reducing the greenhouse
gas emissions, this is because when you reuse these products you save energy, which
results in less gas emissions, leading to the reduction of air and water pollution and a
reduction​ ​in​ ​global​ ​warming.

Last but not least, recycling helps to reduce the loss of biodiversity, since less raw material
will be needed. By this mining activities, (which are considered to be dangerous for mine
workers) may be reduced; also soil erosion and water pollution will reduce, helping protect
and conserve local plants and animals, helping stabilize and
conserve​ ​the​ ​biodiversity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​region​ ​and​ ​planet.

Steps​ ​to​ ​Recycling

The first step to any recycling process is the collection of

waste/ recyclable materials. There are several ways
collection can take place. One way is curbside collection,
which consists of a service in urban and suburban areas
where their household trash is picked up by personnel and a
redesigned vehicle. Another way of collecting recyclable
waste​ ​is​ ​in​ ​drop-off​ ​centers​ ​and​ ​deposit​ ​or​ ​ ​refund​ ​programs.
​ ​After​ ​collection​ ​takes​ ​place,​ ​these​ ​materials​ ​are​ ​sent​ ​to​ ​a​ ​facility​ ​in​ ​which​ ​they​ ​are​ ​cleaned,
and​ ​sorted​ ​out​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​manufacture​ ​new​ ​products.​ ​Its​ ​is​ ​important​ ​to​ ​mention​ ​that​ ​these
materials​ ​are​ ​sold​ ​as​ ​raw​ ​materials​ ​would​ ​be,​ ​and​ ​their​ ​rate​ ​prices​ ​may​ ​vary​ ​depending​ ​on
their​ ​demand​ ​and​ ​offer.

The next step in the recycling process of any material is the manufacture of a whole new
product, integrating recyclable waste as their raw material.It is important to point out that
objects such as newspapers, paper towels, soft drink containers, steel cans, plastic laundry
detergent​ ​bottles,​ ​benches,​ ​asphalt​ ​and​ ​carpeting​ ​come​ ​from​ ​recyclable​ ​materials.

Last but most importantly, it is important to know that in order to complete the recycling
process/ cycle we must purchase products which´s raw materials are waste. There are two
types of these: products that can be easily recycled or products that contain recycled
content. The recycled content products are products manufactured with recycled materials
which​ ​were​ ​either​ ​collected​ ​or​ ​recovered​ ​during​ ​the​ ​manufacturing​ ​process.
In the recyclable product, waste can be collected, processed, sorted and manufactures into
another​ ​product.​ ​However,​ ​these​ ​products​ ​do​ ​not​ ​always​ ​contain​ ​recyclable​ ​materials.

Recyclable​ ​Materials

A​ ​recyclable​ ​material​ ​can​ ​be​ ​defined​ ​as​ ​a​ ​raw​ ​or​ ​processed​ ​material​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​recovered
from​ ​a​ ​waste​ ​stream​ ​for​ ​reuse.​ ​(Business​ ​Dictionary)
Some​ ​of​ ​the​ ​materials​ ​we​ ​can​ ​recycle​ ​are:

Plastic: In order to recycle plastic it needs to go through a variety of stages. The first stage is
sorting, which is practically every plastic separated
by​ ​its​ ​make​ ​and​ ​type.
● The second stage to this process is
cleaning, after being sorted out, these plastic
waste needs to be properly cleansed in order to
remove impurities (washed) in order to be properly
processed.
● Then it enters the shredding phase, where
plastic (after being washed) is loaded into
conveyer belts that take the plastic through
different shredders. These shredders tear up the
plastic​ ​into​ ​small​ ​pieces​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​reused​ ​for​ ​other​ ​products.
● After this comes the identification of plastic, where the shredded pieces are tested in
order​ ​to​ ​classify​ ​them​ ​into​ ​quality​ ​and​ ​class.
● At last, these classified shredded pieces are melted, as a result several different
plastic/polymer​ ​products​ ​can​ ​be​ ​made.

Glass:
● The first step in the process of glass recycling is the separation from other waste
products;​ ​you​ ​must​ ​place​ ​it​ ​in​ ​your​ ​special​ ​curbside​ ​bin​ ​or​ ​take​ ​it​ ​to​ ​a​ ​drop-off​ ​centre.
 ● Then glass is collected and delivered; all colors of glass are sorted together. These
loads​ ​are​ ​carefully​ ​inspected​ ​for​ ​contamination​ ​or​ ​hazardous​ ​materials/​ ​substances.
● Later on, glass goes through various sorting stations. The first couple are dedicated
to sort out contaminants such as ceramics, pyrex, aluminum cans, light bulbs,
cardboard, etc. The other two stages sort out non-brown glass which is later
processed.
● After the classification has been made, loads of glass are carried around conveyor
belts, until the glass meets 24
hammers which spin quickly
around an axle, breaking glass
into​ ​tiny​ ​particles​ ​for​ ​future​ ​sorting.
● these particles are passed and
spinned around a screen in which
they are sorted by sizes. In this
screen there are several fans that
blow away the labels; also items
that do not shatter such as caps or
liquids​ ​are​ ​later​ ​recollected​ ​and​ ​recycled.
● Then it enters a drier which has an integrated vibratory system. In this drier the glass
is heated up to 190° F, where the sugar, bacteria and glue are burned and loosened.
The​ ​residue​ ​is​ ​sucked​ ​away​ ​by​ ​a​ ​vacuum.
● Later on, the dried and cleaned glass is screened once again to be sorted out into
specific sizes for different customers. If the particles are too big to fit a particular
screen,​ ​it​ ​goes​ ​through​ ​another​ ​36​ ​hammers​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​be​ ​pulverized​ ​and​ ​sorted​ ​out.
● The glass cullets are classified by sizes which can vary from pebble, sand and even
powder.

Metals:​ ​ ​The​ ​recycling​ ​of​ ​metals​ ​differs​ ​from​ ​any​ ​other​ ​process,​ ​since​ ​metals​ ​scrap​ ​value​ ​is
much​ ​higher​ ​than​ ​any​ ​other​ ​waste.
● The first step in this process is sorting out the metals. Magnets and sensors are used
to​ ​aid​ ​in​ ​this​ ​material​ ​separation.
● Then the processing takes place, this consists on
shredding metals to make easy the melting process, since
complete or larger metal scrap occupy bigger volumes. By
shredding metals a lot of energy can be saved in this
process.
● Later on the scrap metal is melted, each metal is
taken to a particular furnace designed for a certain type of
metal.​ ​This​ ​process​ ​can​ ​take​ ​from​ ​minutes​ ​up
● to hours, depending on the size of the furnace, the
type​ ​ ​and​ ​size​ ​of​ ​metals.
● After melting takes place, purification takes care of ensuring that the new metal has
the quality and has no contaminants as demanded. One of the most common
methods​ ​of​ ​purification​ ​is​ ​Electrolysis.
 ● The solidifying happens. Here metals are carried by conveyor belts to cool and
solidify. Here scrap metals are solidified into specific forms and shapes such as bars,
which​ ​can​ ​be​ ​easily​ ​used​ ​for​ ​consumers.
● Lastly the transportation of these metal bars occur. Once these metals are solidified,
they are transported to different factories where they are used as raw materials for
new​ ​products.

Organics:​ ​There​ ​are​ ​several​ ​ways​ ​organic​ ​waste​ ​can​ ​be​ ​reused.
● One of the most common ways organic waste is reused is for “Animal feed” , here
non hazardous, poisonous or
harmful organic waste with
specific amount of nutrients,
minerals and specifications are
used to feed certain animals in
farms​ ​or​ ​livestock.
● Then we have composting, where
organic matter is broken down to
be​ ​used​ ​as​ ​fertilizers.
● Anaerobic Digestion is another
process in which microbes are
allowed to exist and reproduced in non-oxygen environments so organic waste can
be​ ​transformed​ ​into​ ​energy​ ​from​ ​the​ ​heat​ ​and​ ​gas​ ​byproducts​ ​of​ ​decomposition.
● Also we have rendering which turns waste animal tissue into valuable materials. The
products of rendering can be used in the making of soaps, biodiesel, animal feed,
chemical,​ ​etc.

Paper:​ ​The​ ​process​ ​for​ ​recycling​ ​paper​ ​is​ ​very​ ​similar​ ​to​ ​making​ ​it,​ ​except​ ​in​ ​this​ ​process​ ​the
raw​ ​material​ ​is​ ​paper​ ​that​ ​has​ ​already​ ​been​ ​used.
● Recycling paper begins with pulping. In which a machine chops paper and adds
water​ ​to​ ​it,​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​a​ ​pulp​ ​is​ ​made.
● Then screening is done, this step
helps separate paper from any unwanted
materials.
● The cleaning takes place, in which
a centrifugal force separates the solid
fibers; if any unwanted material is found it
is​ ​rejected.
● De-inking the pulp is probabñy the
most important process of paper
recycling; in this stage the pulp is mixed with a surfactant, this substance collects and
discards​ ​ink​ ​particles​ ​from​ ​the​ ​pulp​ ​and​ ​materials.
● Another step in this process is the washing, which deeply cleanses the pulp by
running water through it. At times the pulp may be bleached, giving as a result white
paper.
● The​ ​next​ ​step​ ​is​ ​to​ ​create​ ​a​ ​new​ ​material​ ​from​ ​the​ ​recycled​ ​pulp.
 ● Last a process of dissolved air flotation takes place, in which water is cleaned so it
can​ ​be​ ​reused​ ​in​ ​this​ ​process.

Other​ ​recyclable​ ​products:

● Electrical​ ​Appliances
● Garden​ ​Waste
● Oil
● Pressurised​ ​Containers​ ​(spray,​ ​deodorant​ ​cans,​ ​etc.​ ​)
● Tyres
● Textiles
● Wood

Environmental​ ​Implications
Recyclable

As​ ​mentioned​ ​before,​ ​the​ ​recycling​ ​of​ ​materials​ ​have​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​benefits:

1. Well​ ​organized​ ​recycling​ ​programs​ ​cost​ ​less​ ​than​ ​waste​ ​collection​ ​services
2. The​ ​more​ ​people​ ​recycle​ ​the​ ​cheaper​ ​the​ ​process​ ​gets.
3. Recycling​ ​saves​ ​money​ ​for​ ​household
4. Recycling​ ​helps​ ​create​ ​jobs
5. Thousands​ ​of​ ​companies​ ​are​ ​able​ ​to​ ​save​ ​millions​ ​of​ ​dollars​ ​due​ ​to​ ​recycling.
6. Every​ ​ton​ ​of​ ​recycled​ ​paper​ ​saves​ ​17​ ​trees.
7. The​ ​energy​ ​we​ ​save​ ​when​ ​recycling​ ​one​ ​glass​ ​bottle​ ​is​ ​equal​ ​to​ ​a​ ​light​ ​ ​a​ ​bulb​ ​for​ ​up
to​ ​4​ ​hours.
8. Reduces​ ​toxic​ ​and​ ​greenhouse​ ​effect​ ​emissions.
9. Conserves​ ​natural​ ​resources
10. Eases​ ​the​ ​demand​ ​of​ ​resources
11. Prevents​ ​habitat​ ​destruction,​ ​deforestation​ ​and​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​biodiversity

Non-Recyclable

If we do not start taking care of the environment by carrying out the different suggested
actions such as recycling, reducing and living a low waste life… our planet will end up being
a​ ​waste​ ​landfill.

Our population keeps growing, as a result the demand of products is on the increase, this
causes an exploit of natural resources and nature itself. At some point nature will give out
and​ ​we​ ​will​ ​no​ ​longer​ ​have​ ​the​ ​environment​ ​or​ ​conditions​ ​to​ ​live​ ​a​ ​proper​ ​life.

Trash in coastal cities ends up in our oceans, as a result sea life is affected when ingesting
or getting stuck in plastic residues. Also if we do not recycle or the non-recyclable products
increase greenhouse emissions will continue to increase, habitats will be lost and forests will
disappear.
Have you heard about the melting of the poles? Have you heard about the plastica island
located​ ​in​ ​the​ ​pacific​ ​ocean?​ ​have​ ​you​ ​seen​ ​pictures​ ​of​ ​our​ ​“sea”​ ​landfills?
Well​ ​this​ ​is​ ​our​ ​reality​ ​and​ ​to​ ​be​ ​honest…​ ​it​ ​only​ ​gets​ ​worse…

Physical​ ​Facilities​ ​of​ ​Campus

We​ ​have​ ​several​ ​trash​ ​cans​ ​on​ ​Campus​ ​where​ ​we​ ​can​ ​separate​ ​our​ ​trash​ ​in​ ​recyclable,​ ​non
recyclable​ ​and​ ​organic​ ​waste.​ ​Besides​ ​this,​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​trash​ ​can​ ​where​ ​you​ ​can​ ​put​ ​only
PET​ ​and​ ​this​ ​PET,​ ​they​ ​collect​ ​it​ ​and​ ​they​ ​take​ ​it​ ​to​ ​a​ ​place​ ​where​ ​those​ ​bottles​ ​can​ ​be
reused​ ​and​ ​they​ ​can​ ​turn​ ​them​ ​in​ ​new​ ​bottles​ ​or​ ​into​ ​new​ ​things.

Garbage​ ​Separation

What​ ​do​ ​we​ ​do?

Javier: Always when I´m going to throw away the garbage I try to separate it in the best
possible way, in school I look up every time where the garbage needs to go. However, my
family differs from me, they don't care as much for the environment and doing it properly. So
even though I carry out the separation with my garbage at the moment of throwing it away,
later​ ​on​ ​it​ ​becomes​ ​a​ ​mess​ ​ ​and​ ​finally​ ​my​ ​effort​ ​was​ ​not​ ​worth​ ​it.

Mariana: In my home we are environmental friendly; every time we see the new on how
much we pollute the environment, we become self aware and occupy ourselves on being the
agent of change in this process. i my home we separate waste in organic and inorganic
compounds as asked by the cleaning service and facilities. However, I do believe that we
lack a bit more organization; I think we could even separate our inorganic waste into
recyclable and non- recyclable bins in order to exchange it later and gain a bit of money that
can be later used for any purpose. It is very important to mention that the problem with waste
in Mexico really is in the cleaning system, even though we as household separate our trash,
the​ ​truck​ ​picks​ ​it​ ​and​ ​mixes​ ​it​ ​all​ ​up,​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​our​ ​efforts​ ​were​ ​useless​ ​once​ ​again.

Daniela: In my home, we separate the trash in organic and in inorganic. There are some
things that we try to reuse such as PET, and the organic we try to use it as compost and the
organic trash that can't be use as that, we just put it in a bag. Alos in the place where I live,
all the neighbors try to separate their trash so when the trash truck comes, it is already
separated​ ​indifferent​ ​bags​ ​so​ ​it​ ​doesn't​ ​gets​ ​mixed​ ​with​ ​all​ ​the​ ​other​ ​trash.

Evidence
Bibliography

● https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics
● Slaughter​ ​E,​ ​Gersberg​ ​RM,​ ​Watanabe​ ​K,​ ​et​ ​al.Toxicity​ ​of​ ​cigarette​ ​butts,​ ​and
their​ ​chemical​ ​components,​ ​to​ ​marine​ ​and​ ​freshwater​ ​fish.​Tobacco​ ​Control
Web​ ​site:​http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/20/Suppl_1/i25.info
● Anónimo.​ ​(2017).​ ​Polyethylene​ ​terephthalate​ ​(PET​ ​or​ ​PETE).​ ​Septiembre​ ​17,
2017,​ ​de​ ​Enciclopedia​ ​Britannica​ ​Sitio​ ​web:
https://www.britannica.com/science/polyethylene-terephthalate
● Surrency,​ ​M..​ ​(2004).​ ​Paper​ ​Characteristics.​ ​Septiembre​ ​17,​ ​2017,​ ​de
Surrency​ ​studios​ ​Sitio​ ​web:
http://www.surrencystudios.com/Paper%20Characteristics.htm