Academic Writing (Read full description) (chemistry project)

As you watch TV or shop in stores you may notice that many products are being advertised as “GREEN”. Consumers now have to make the decision between green and conventional products. Conventional products are frequently inexpensive, durable, and versatile but many are made from petrochemicals (fossil fuels). These petrochemical products stay in landfills for generations if not indefinitely. In the last 50 years over a billion tonnes of plastic have been sent to landfills. The green products claim to be better for the environment but how and why are they better? In this project you will be comparing a conventional product with its green counterpart. Task: To investigate what makes a product green? Is this actually better? Green chemistry aims to create products that are: • Sustainable: If a resource can be managed it can continue to benefit society indefinitely o Renewable: a resource that replenishes itself (food) o Non-renewable: a resource that is not replaced as quickly as we use it (fossil fuels) • Safe: Limit hazardous waste o Ex: Brominated flame retardants can enter the water and food chains • Energy efficient: During use and production • Reasonable End of life Degradation: What happens to the product when it can no longer be used o Reusable: the product can be cleaned and reused. (This is always the best option) o Recycling: reprocessing the product to make a new product. This usually involves breaking down the product  Ex: It takes 25 pop bottles to make 1 fleece product o Upcycling: repurposing a product o Biodegradable: can be broken down by micro-organisms using O2 and H2O o Compostable: can decompose at a composting site in a specific time frame  Ex: Cups maid from corn will decompose at 55oC and 90% humidity. These cups could replace plastic cups • Efficient production: minimal steps and chemicals needed for the production When considering if a product is truly green ask yourself the following questions • Is it reusable? Does it contain chemicals hazardous to our health with multiple uses? • Can it be recycled? Some products have too many additives and are not pure enough. • Is it biodegradable? On what time scale? • Is it sustainable? • Are there less toxic options? • Is it energy efficient to use? To produce? • Local regulations/restrictions on companies when marketing a product as green Research A: With a partner choose a product that has a green alternative available. For the conventional and green product find the following information 1. Manufacturing process/energy source 2. Waste materials 3. Sustainability 4. Packaging 5. Length of useful life 6. Fate at the end of its useful life 7. Ease of use 8. Price 9. Marketing 10. Possible environmental/health concerns associated with any part of the product B: Describe why the green product is greener and why this is desirable to consumers. Format: Present your findings in a creative and informative way, with all the required information for both products. (Pamphlets, marketing posters, “Dragons Den” proposal…) Topic: Toilet paper