Section 310: Recycling and Repurposing of Plastics

Section 310: Recycling and Repurposing of Plastics

Plastics are everywhere. The chemical industry produces millions tons of plastic every year. We use plastics to make electronics, toys, water bottles, and other consumer products. But where does all this plastic end up? Some of it is in garbage piles, some of it is in landfills, but a lot of it is in our oceans. You will learn how plastics are made and how we can repurpose or recycle them.

Section 120: The Greatest Materials of All Time

Section 120: The Greatest Materials of All Time

“Stone Age,” “Iron Age,” “Silicon Valley” – these terms reflect major aspects of human civilization. From textiles to sugar, to transistors and smartphones – various products have proven critical developments in human history. What materials made them possible? What new industries did they spawn? What new problems did they create? What might come next?