Project Reflection

Mylie Lanier
Chemistry p.3
Steve Smith
1/26/19

1. I learned that the chemical or physical structure of an object, in order for it to be

recyclable, needs to be easily broken down into its basic elements. In order for a product
to be marketable, it needs to be cheaper and easier to create a new product from
recycled material. It’s much more expensive to create that same product from the
original raw material. In other words, recycling isn’t worth it, it’s not cost-efficient if it
takes a lot of energy to break down the chemical bonds of the substance or to change its
structure for reuse. An example of this is aluminum can recycling. Aluminum cans
continue to be in high demand. It’s cheaper to make them out of recycled material than
to mine the element Bauxite ore. (The element that’s turned into aluminum). Recycling
industries need to make a profit. The cost of using recycled material needs to be
competitive with the cost of using raw materials.

2. Collectively the choices we make when it comes to consuming, recycling, and discarding
of materials affect both our local communities and the planet on a large scale. Humans
are natural consumers, always buying and craving more. If we continue to be indifferent
to the harm of consuming, we won’t have a clean home in the future. Most of the
garbage and single-use materials we have can be recycled. However, these materials
end up in landfills, in our natural water sources, or on the side of the highway. As we
continue to purchase new things the companies continue to manufacture their products,
putting them in packages and shipping them across the country in vehicles. The vehicles
release emissions contributing to global warming, the packaging ends up in the landfills
and the material we buy doesn’t last very long. As a planet, we need to be more
conscientious about what we buy, throw away, and recycle.

3. Methane is 84% more potent than Co2 and it takes 12 years for it to be broken down
and removed from our atmosphere. Methane makes up 10.2% of the world’s greenhouse
gasses, organic food waste is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, and over 20% of
all of the organic material you eat ends up in the landfill. Facts like these continued to
amaze me throughout this project. I have been aware of methane and its serious effects
on the planet. However, after completing this project I have a much better
understanding of the extent of the damage. I learned that when the organic material you
eat is put in the landfill it goes through different stages of anaerobic decomposition.
Anaerobic decomposition is the process in which microorganisms slowly break down the
material over time. Thus making it decompose and slowly release methane. Anaerobic
decomposition happens when there is a lack of oxygen, and when the organic material is
broken down without oxygen it releases the gas. I also learned about the alternative step
you can take in order to reduce the release of methane. Instead of throwing out your
organic material you can compost it. When food is composted it goes through aerobic
 Project Reflection
Mylie Lanier
Chemistry p.3
Steve Smith
1/26/19

decomposition; the process in which oxygen is provided to the environment. The

microorganisms break down the food, but it doesn’t release methane because of the
oxygen.

4. I believe Taylor and I earned an A on this project. In terms of the first category of the
grading rubric, we effectively answered the essential question, “How does the chemical
composition and structure of a material/substance determine its properties with regard to
its use, its capacity for reuse, its capacity for recycling and its final fate?”. We did that by
accurately classifying the substances and demonstrating the chemical formula of biogas
and anaerobic decomposition through our infographics and diagram.

a. In terms of the second and third categories on the grading rubric, we answered the
essential question, “How do the choices we make pertaining to the purchasing, use,
reuse, recycling, and discarding of materials impact our local community and
environment and the global community and environment?” By demonstrating the stages
of anaerobic decomposition through our diagram we represented the life cycle. We also
expressed the severity of this issue with the map showing methane levels from around
the world.

b. In terms of the fourth and fifth categories: Professionalism and Exhibition Preparation: I
was a project leader and I worked very hard helping to put this exhibition together. I set
up, designed and produced posters, coordinated with my peers, and teacher Steve. I
helped to make our vision for this exhibition come to life and run smoothly. My partner
Taylor and I were in professional dress, and ready to present our project 15 minutes
before the exhibition. We engaged our audience with our information, aesthetic diagram
and passion for the subject.