Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

* Timely information on the environmental impact of polymer recycling.
* Ample sample questions and answers in chapters.
* Provides material on the economics and legislation of recycling, and on LCA.
* Examines the advantages and disadvantages of polymer recycling.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Chapter 1 The environment and sustainable development: an integrated strategy for polymers (p. 1)
• Introduction to Sustainable Development
• Sustainable Development Issues
• Polymers: An Issue for Sustainability
• Integrated Resource and Waste Management
• Resource and Waste Management Policies for Polymers
• The Book Structure and Life Guide
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 2 Polymers in everyday use: principles, properties and environmental (p. 17)
• Effects
• Introduction
• Basic Principles of Polymer Chemistry
• The Influence of the Environment on Polymers
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 3 Feeding the waste streams: sources of polymers in the environment (p. 47)
• Introduction
• Polymer Production and Consumption
• Waste Stream Categories
• Recovery and Recycling of Plastic Wastes in Different Countries
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 4 Managing polymer waste: technologies for separation and recycling (p. 79)
• Recycling Options
• Separation and Identification of Plastics
• Process Technologies for Plastics Recycling
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 5 Drives and barriers for polymer recycling: social, legal and economic factors (p. 101)
• Introduction
• Recovery of Plastic Waste: Logistics and Socio-Economic Issues
• Reprocessing of Plastic Waste: Technical, Institutional and Economic Issues
• Other Factors Affecting Polymer Recycling: Policy Issues and Public Acceptability
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 6 Design for the environment: the life cycle approach (p. 125)
• Introduction
• Life Cycle Thinking: The Approach and Tools
• Design for the Environment: Life Cycle Production Design
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 7 Environmental impacts of recycling (p. 155)
• Introduction
• Environmental Impacts of Recycling: Life Cycle Considerations
• LCA Case Studies of Recycling Options and Technologies
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading
• Revision Exercises
• Chapter 8 Fature directions: towards sustainable technology (p. 173)
• Introduction
• Improving the Efficiency of Polymerisation: The Principles of Green
• Chemistry
• Design for Recyclability
• Developing New Processing Technologies
• Conclusions: Towards Sustainable Development
• Summary and Learning Outcomes
• References and Further Reading

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Azapagic and colleagues (all, Univ. of Surrey, UK) provide a short but broad introduction to "sustainable development" issues associated with polymer production, utilization, recovery, and disposal. "Sustainable development" is defined as that which "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." However, it is more specifically interpreted as conservation of resources and environmental protection. The authors all have backgrounds in sustainable development and polymer chemistry. The book's level is introductory, and generally qualitative, although the authors indicate that it is intended for advanced undergraduates and postgraduate students in polymer, materials, or environmental science. Numerous pictures and graphs are included, with "Key Facts" inserts or notes in wide margins. Chapter 1 introduces sustainable development and polymer issues; chapter 2 introduces polymer principles and properties, and the remaining six chapters are devoted to various aspects of the polymer life cycle related to sustainability. Chapter references and further reading; "Revision Exercises" or questions in most chapters. For any reader wishing a broad introduction to this topic. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; professionals. R. Darby emeritus, Texas A&M University

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Adisa Azapagic is Professor of Sustainable Engineering. Her research interests and expertise include life cycle modeling and optimization, life cycle assessment, industrial ecology, sustainability indicators, multiple criteria decision analysis and corporate social responsibility. Azapagic is the author of over 130 publications in these areas, including a book on Polymers, the Environment and Sustainable Development also published by Wiley. She is also interested in sustainability education and is a member of the European Federation of Chemical engineering (EFCE) Working Party on Education. She is a UNESCO/TWAIS/ICSU Visiting Scientist at the Instituto Technológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), Mexico City.