TECH 454 Environmental Engineering
Department of Engineering and Design
Eastern Washington University
Fall Quarter 2012
Project 5 (45 points)
Project Format: Each page must be typed in 12-point Times New Roman or similar typeface, 1 margins on all sides, double-spaced. Please remember to correct misspellings and grammatical errors. On the first page, in the upper right hand corner, place your name, class title (TECH 454 – Environmental Engineering), and the date. Also on the first page, below the name block, place the title: Project 5. For further explanation see the help sheet on Blackboard.
Write your answers to the following questions in Short Essay Format. Be sure to explain the information as required to support your answers. Cite examples.
Number your answers for each question.
1. (15 Points) From the information discussed in class on plastics, select one type of plastic from the seven recycling codes. Do some research and find the process steps that this particular plastic goes through; from the time it is discarded to when it has been completely recycled into a new product. Describe this process in your own words; a minimum of 5 steps will be required to receive full points. (The process of burning the plastic, as a fuel is not an acceptable process answer for this question.)
2. (15 Points) Even though all of the code 1 through code 7 plastics is recyclable, not all plastics are actively being recycled. Do some research and find 3 of the major issues that are currently blocking a more complete recycling process. Describe the issues.
3. (15 Points) Plastics can be burned for fuel at a waste to energy plant, just like paper products. However, the energy return from plastics is not the same as paper products. Do some research and find out which has the higher energy return rate; the plastics or the paper products? Discuss the pros and cons of burning plastics versus paper products for their energy.
Due Date: 11/28/2012