Chemistry

​Reflection

​

​

1. How does the chemical composition and structure of a substance determine its properties with regard to its use, capacity for reuse, and capacity for recycling?

   1. I learned that the structure of the paper and the absence of lignin will create a better texture and will create space for the cellulose to bond and make fibers, increasing strength. I learned that the lignin is taken out with an acid or an alkaline as well. The stronger the bond between the cellulose, the more the paper can be recycled, but usually, paper can be recycled three times. As far as the creation of paper is also very sustainable, but when the paper goes to the landfill, it turns into methane, which is not ideal. 

2. How do the choices we make as consumers (purchasing, use, reuse, recycling, and discarding of materials) impact our local community and environment, and the global community and environment?

   1. Our choices as consumers impact our local structure and environment because if we reuse and recycle, but also the purchase of paper. For every tree that the paper making companies cut down, they have to plant another to keep up with demand. They also don’t cut forests down because they need a certain type of wood, so they plant their own groves of trees. In the environment, this is a more neutral system than logging would be. Paper also takes a lot of water to make, but 90% of the water used can be reused. So buying paper will not kill trees but plant more. In the community, the paper will inevitably end up on the streets and in the landfills. If the paper decomposes on the streets or if it has access to oxygen, it will decompose into the soil, but if the paper is covered by dirt in a landfill, it will decompose into methane. 

3. What else did you learn through this project?

   1. I learned all of what I said above, which I was most struck by how paper companies will plant trees for every cut tree. I also learned how they take the lignin out of the paper with acid and why. I also learned how the cellulose forms fibers and makes up the large portion of a sheet of paper. I also didn’t know before this project that they spray the paper with a small amount of a polymer to make it smoother. Along with this, I learned how they make paper from start to finish.