[Physics Class Notes] on Environmental Pollution and Recycle Pdf for Exam

Environmental Pollution and Recycling

Environmental pollution has been a major concern for centuries, but it was only during the industrial revolution of the 19th century when it became significant. 

Pollution happens when the environment can’t destroy or degrade an object that causes harm to it.

It is a global challenge where hazardous materials are degraded very slowly by wild animals. The advanced molecular biological tools, when applied to the conventional approach, help us rapidly degrade hazardous materials from the environment.

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Environmental pollution is a desirable change that affects the physical, biological, or chemical characteristics of the components of the environment. 

This causes a harmful effect on the environment.

How is the Environment Polluted?

Environmental pollution is an essential threat to the environment that we are facing today. With each passing year, it is increasing and causing irreparable damage. 

The urbanization of the society, an increasing number of vehicles, factories, household waste, sewage, industrial waste, etc. is increasing day by day, thereby causing environmental pollution.

The discharge of the industrial, domestic, factory, and other waste in the waterways is a major source of pollution. Throwaway of tons of solid and other particulate waste also results in various environmental pollution.

How does Pollution Affect the Environment?

Till now, we have discussed only the causes of pollution. Let us now try to know about the negative effects that are caused to the environment:

a. Effects on Humans

Environmental pollution can cause severe diseases and organ malfunction in humans. These effects can also cause long-term neuro-affections in the body. 

Respiratory problems, skin allergies, asthma, irritation of the eyes, and nasal passages are the common issues that are caused in humans.

b. Effects on Animals

Environmental pollution makes the living environment of animals toxic and inhabitable. Acid rain mainly changes the composition of sea and rivers, making it poisonous for aquatic animals. 

A high quantity of ozone in the lower part of the atmosphere causes serious lung problems for animals.

c. Effects on Plants

Acid rain affects not only animals but also plants and trees. When the plants are affected, it also causes an indirect impact on the animals. 

The growth and development of plant life requires minerals and nutrients, which is unusually destroyed by pollution.

d. Effects on the Ecosystem

Environmental pollution altogether causes damage to the ecosystem by causing a negative impact on it. Most of the environmental pollution is caused by human activities.

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Benefits of Recycling Plastic

There are many benefits of recycling plastic, and we have mentioned here six benefits of recycling plastic:

i. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP)

ii. High Economic Impact

Recycling plastic waste generates twice the economic impact compared to just disposing of it in a landfill.

iii. Energy Conservation

The industrial and factory manufacture of any product consists of a number of processes like:

• Extraction of raw materials

• Processing

• Manufacturing

• Removing unwanted waste, and

• Disposal, etc. 

iv. Saving Petroleum

Plastic is usually made from either natural gas or the derivatives of crude oil. Production of plastic requires a large huge array of petroleum products. 

Experiments show that up to 40% of oil consumption can be reduced by recycling plastic waste. According to this figure, recycling a ton of plastic waste can save around 16 barrels of oil.

v. Reduction of CO2 Emission

If the consumption of oil is reduced, it reduces the emission of CO2 and other harmful greenhouse gases. 

The emission of greenhouse gases is also caused by the burning of fossil fuels, which can be reduced to an extent.

vi. Saving Landfill Space

Recycling helps in waste management, as it saves the space available for landfills. 

They require a lot of space as the waste generated is very high and increasing day by day.

Waste Paper Recycling Process

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Recycling of waste paper and its management is one of the most demanded businesses. This is because the paper is the most recycled product in the world.

Paper scrap can be used to produce a new paper product, which in turn benefits the economy significantly.

The recycling process of paper is mentioned below:

a. Collection

The first step of the recycling process is the collection of used paper products. Paper to be recycled is gathered from many different sources and products, and it is kept apart from other types of waste because contaminated papers cannot be recycled.

b. Transportation

After collection, the paper is transferred to a paper recycling plant by an or a truck. The transportation team provides their exceptional service for quick pickup of waste materials. 

c. Sorting

Sorting is a process in which paper is arranged in different categories like cardboard, newspapers, papers, office papers, magazines, etc.

d. Pulping

In the next step, the transported paper is slushed into a pulp and removes large non-fibrous contaminants like staples, plastic, glass, etc.

e. De-Inking

De-inking of paper is done to increase its whiteness and purity. It is done through a combination of mechanical processes that involves shredding and the addition of chemicals.

f. New Paper-Making

This is the final process of paper recycling. A new paper is made in this process. The clean paper pulp is ready to be utilized after this process.