Properties and disposal of PET plastics
Question
With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1.
Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.
- 2.
Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.
- 3.
Bottles made of it can be recycled into other products.
- 4.
Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.
Options
1 and 3
2 and 4
1 and 4
2 and 3
Explanation
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely spun into fibres (polyester) that are easily blended with cotton or wool. PET bottles are also highly recyclable. Statement 2 is incorrect; PET is generally unsuitable for long-term storage of strong alcoholic beverages because it is slightly permeable to oxygen and can leach chemicals. Statement 4 is completely false; incinerating PET (a carbon-based petrochemical) inevitably releases greenhouse gases (CO2).
Answer: (a).
Question details
Year
2022
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q46
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Materials & Nanotechnology
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Chemistry Cl.12 / Polyethylene Terephthalate Polymer Recycling
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