Recycling

Exercise 15.6.1: Materials Properties and Recycling
Not Currently Assigned

Take 2-3 minutes to answer this question.


  1. Recyclers need to understand differences in materials properties when separating product in single-stream recyclate. Consider the statements below and fill in the blanks:

    For example, we can use automation and our knowledge of materials properties to:

    • Separate aluminum from steel using a strong _______ (Blank 1).
    • Separate glass from paper by using air blowers and taking advantage of the materials' difference in _______ (Blank 2).
    • Separate glass from plastic by taking advantage of the materials' _______ (Blank 3) and crushing a mixture of the materials, followed by sieving.

    Workbank: hammer, laser, worker, magnet, density, strength, brittleness, elasticity, resilience, transparency, color, conductivity, $\ce{CO2}$ footprint, embodied energy