1. - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work Complete the table with the following 1.Full name of the polymer 2.Suggest an application 3.Highlight the ones which are recyclable.

2. - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work Are polymers sustainable?

3. - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work Biodegradable polymers -Conventional polymers are a by-product of petro- chemicals -These are detrimental on the environment including not being degradable -Biodegradable polymers have designed to degrade under certain conditions

4. - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work Polylactides (PLA) - Starched-based polymers -These are derived from renewable sources such as potatoes, corn, wheat and pine trees -They are transparent and has similar properties to polyethylene -They are used for plastic bottles, plastic bags, gardening products, babies nappies and medical implants -They are degradable through micro-organisms -They are much weaker then conventional polymers

5. - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work PHAs and PHBs -PHAs - Polyhydroxyalkanoate (Biopol) -PHBs - Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate -These are produced by using bacteria to aid in the fermenting plant sugars. -These have similar properties to polypropylene -They are used for plastic food packaging and also are used widely in medicine for slow-release medication, implants and bone plates -They are degradable through micro-organisms

6. Oxo-degradable polymers -These are additives that can be used in conventional polymers to greatly reduce there degradation -The additives helps break the polymer down into a fine white powder after exposure to heat, oxygen or moisture -This powder is easier for micro-organisms to breakdown -Photo-degradable polymers can also be added and help a polymer to be broken down by exposure to UV light -This additve can be added to numerous polymers such as PE, PVC, PP, PET and PS - To recall the common polymers and their applications - To investigate the benefits of biodegradable polymers and how they work

7. Water-soluble polymers -These are polymers which quickly biodegrade in water -They are very weak but have start to be widely used in the laundry industry -They are use for detergent capsules for consumer use and one-use laundry bags in hospitals