Reduce energy used through more efficient processes. Reduce number of materials used in manufacturing. Select materials that have less impact on the environment. Reduce amount of packaging used to protect products. Make efficient use of materials. Reuse small offcuts for other products/processes. Transport finished products directly to the end user rather than wholesalers. How can we reduce materials and energy? Example: Instead of expanded polystyrene, use recycled paper pulp for packaging. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Incinerate/burn offcuts to produce heat for the workplace.

Reusing materials and products Using a product more than once, e.g. refilling a bottle. Using a product in a different way from its original use. Reuse means that no energy is used to remanufacture products. Items can be cleaned and reused to extend their useful life. Refilling milk bottles/ink cartridges, etc. Using fizzy drink bottles for water. Selling items on auction sites/charity shops. Examples:

Recovering energy from waste Waste can be incinerated to generate heat to turn turbines to produce electricity. Waste can be converted to gas using high temperatures and oxygen. The synthetic gas produced can then be used, which is more efficient than simply incinerating the waste products. Example: Teesside EfW plant, Middlesbrough, burns 390,000 tonnes of waste per year to produce electricity for the National Grid.

Recycling Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served its purpose. If these used products are disposed of in an appropriate, environmentally friendly way, the process of recycling has been set in motion.

Product 1 Car batteryProduct 2 PET bottle Materials used: Lead, acid, polymers Materials used: PET How is it recycled? ● Acid is neutralised. ● Lead is separated from the polymers. ● Polymers are ground down. ● Lead is recovered to be used again. How is it recycled? ● Bottles are separated from general waste. ● They are then separated by colour. ● Then crushed and packed in bales. ● PET is then crushed and shredded to make flakes. ● Flakes can then be used for other products. What are the recycled materials used for?  New car batteries  Polymer packaging What are the recycled materials used for?  Sheeting  Fibres  Bottles