# Compare the environmental impact of reusing a glass bottle with recycling it to make a different glass product. [4 marks]

> AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462) — 4.10.2 Life cycle assessment and recycling · Compare · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Reusing a glass bottle requires no crushing or melting, so less energy is used than recycling
2. Reusing means fewer/no new raw materials are needed, whereas recycling (crushing and melting) may still require some additional raw materials
3. Both reuse and recycling reduce the amount of quarrying/mining needed (compared to making new glass from scratch), reducing environmental damage
4. Recycling glass produces waste (e.g. broken glass / cullet that is not suitable) / releases waste gases during melting, whereas reuse produces less waste

## Key terms

- [recycling](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/recycling)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Compare" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/compare-the-environmental-impact-of-reusing-965fe07a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.