1. Which option would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person?
A. reusing plastic water bottles several times and always recycling them
B. drinking bottled water that comes from 100% natural sources
C. using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water
D. using disposable plastic containers once each
2. Why is it a problem that plastics are not biodegradable, when other materials like metals are also not biodegradable?
A. Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored.
B. Metals can be broken down by corrosion.
C. Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once.
D. Plastics are more of a problem because they float in water, but metals sink.
1. To determine which option would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person, we can analyze each choice:
A. reusing plastic water bottles several times and always recycling them: This option does contribute to conserving natural resources to some extent by reusing and recycling bottles. However, it still involves the production and disposal of plastic bottles, which requires the extraction of natural resources and energy.
B. drinking bottled water that comes from 100% natural sources: Although drinking water from natural sources may reduce the extraction of water from other sources, it still involves the production and disposal of plastic bottles, which requires natural resources.
C. using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water: This option minimizes the use of single-use plastic bottles by using a reusable bottle. Additionally, drinking filtered tap water reduces the need for bottled water, thus saving the natural resources used in its production and transportation.
D. using disposable plastic containers once each: This option involves using single-use plastic containers, which not only contributes to waste but also requires the production and disposal of more plastic, using natural resources in the process.
Considering the options, option C (using a reusable water bottle and drinking filtered tap water) would save the most natural resources while providing water for a person.
2. Plastics being non-biodegradable is a problem compared to metals for several reasons:
A. Plastics have been chemically altered from natural resources and cannot be restored: Plastics are synthetic materials created from petroleum or natural gas. The process of creating plastics chemically alters the natural resources, resulting in materials that cannot be easily broken down or restored to their original form.
B. Metals can be broken down by corrosion: Metals can degrade through corrosion or environmental exposure. While this process may take time, metals can ultimately break down into smaller pieces or return to their natural state through natural processes.
C. Metals can at least be recycled and used more than once: Unlike plastics, metals can be recycled multiple times without losing their original properties. Through recycling, metals can be transformed into new products or used in various applications, reducing the need for extracting new metals from the Earth.
D. Plastics are more of a problem because they float in water, but metals sink: Floating plastics pose significant environmental issues, particularly in water bodies, where they can harm marine life, pollute ecosystems, and take years to break down. Metals, on the other hand, tend to sink, making them easier to collect and remove from aquatic environments.
In summary, while both plastics and metals are non-biodegradable, plastics present more challenges due to their chemical alteration, inability to biodegrade, and their harmful impacts when they accumulate in the environment. In contrast, metals can undergo corrosion, be recycled multiple times, and are less likely to cause widespread pollution in water bodies.