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4.8.2Electrochemistry

Disposal of Addition Polymers — Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 4 parts Lesson 16 of 20 Unit quiz

📚 Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry 0620 Hub / Topical Revision
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Part 1 of 4Why Polymers Persist

4.8.2 Disposal of Addition Polymers
Strong bonds
  • Addition polymers are built from strong C–C bonds, so they are chemically unreactive.
Non-biodegradable
  • Micro-organisms cannot break down most addition polymers, so they are described as non-biodegradable.
Inert
  • Addition polymers do not react easily with water, acids or oxygen in the environment, so they persist.
Accumulation
  • Because they last, polymers build up in the environment and in landfill sites.
Reduction
  • Recycling and reducing single-use plastics lowers the amount of polymer waste sent for disposal.

Part 2 of 4Landfill and Incineration

Landfill and Incineration
Landfill
  • Waste polymers are buried in landfill sites, which uses valuable land that fills up quickly.
Non-decomposition
  • Non-biodegradable polymers do not decompose, so they remain in landfill for a very long time.
Heat
  • Burning polymers releases a large amount of heat energy, which can be used to generate power.
Carbon dioxide
  • Burning polymers produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
Chlorine
  • PVC releases toxic hydrogen chloride gas when it is burned.

Part 3 of 4Products of Incineration

1
Complete combustion of a hydrocarbon polymer gives carbon dioxide and water as the main products.
2
Incomplete combustion in a poor air supply produces carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that reduces the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity.
3
Polymers containing chlorine, such as PVC, release hydrogen chloride gas when burned.
4
Incinerators with good design and filtration can capture some harmful gases before they are released.

Part 4 of 4Exam Checklist & Tips

4.8.2 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Non-biodegradable Not broken down by micro-organisms in the environment.
  • Landfill A site where waste is buried in the ground.
  • Incineration Burning waste materials at high temperature.
  • Greenhouse gas A gas, such as carbon dioxide, that traps heat in the atmosphere.
  • Hydrogen chloride A toxic gas produced when chlorine-containing polymers such as PVC are burned.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying addition polymers biodegrade quickly in landfill, as paper does.
  • Forgetting that burning PVC releases hydrogen chloride as well as carbon dioxide.
  • Claiming that burning polymers causes no pollution because it releases useful energy.
  • Treating incomplete combustion as harmless; it produces toxic carbon monoxide.

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