Many goods are made from non-metallic minerals include cups and plates, plastic bags, fertilizers, and glass. These minerals require a lot of processing to obtain useful products such as paint, glass and plastics. Other minerals are not used to make products directly but are used to produce energy which is then used to make things. All impact upon the environment. Natural mineral resources, such as oil and coal will eventually become exhausted.

Plastics

Plastics is the name given to a group of polymers - chemicals made by condensing the same molecules into long chain compounds.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) makes drainage pipes, containers of all kinds, and records.

• Polyethylene makes plastic bags, bottles.
  

• Fibreglass makes cars and boats.
  

• Nylon and Polyester makes clothing, ropes and artificial human joints.

The manufacture of plastics produces large amounts of hazardous waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in America, lists 6 chemicals whose manufacture produces the most hazardous waste products. Five of these are used for the production of plastics; Pylene, Phenol, Ethylene, Polystyrene & Benzene.