2023 NYJC J1 MYE Ans Key

JC1 H2 Geography Common Test Suggested Answers Section A Cluster 3 Sustainable Future and Climate Change 1 Resource 1 shows the breakdown of Thailand’s plastics end use industries. Resource 2 shows Bangkok’s plastics waste management hierarchy (left) and ideal waste management hierarchy (right). Resource 3 shows a photograph of a young dugong who died from infection exacerbated by plastic bits in her stomach. Resource 4 is an extract taken from an article about plastic waste pollution in Thailand. Resource 5 shows Thailand’s roadmap to plastic waste management 2018 – 2030. (a) Cite data from Resource 1 to describe the usage of plastic in Thailand. [4] Award 1 mark for each description using data from Resource 1 on the usage of plastic in Thailand. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each description, where applicable. Possible responses include: ∙ Plastic is heavily used in the packaging industry as it takes up 2,323,000 tonnes and accounts for the highest percentage at 42% compared to other industries. [1 mark] ∙ The use of plastic in electricals and electronics industry as well as construction industry takes up 16% and 14% each respectively, less than half of the packaging industry. [1 mark] ∙ Plastic is also used in a variety of industries, such as housewares, safety & security, agriculture, footwear, recreation, medical devices, etc., albeit at a much smaller percentage, ranging from 1 – 4% each. [1 mark] ∙ The usage of plastic in the top 5 industries, namely packaging, electricals and electronics, construction, automotive, and filament, accounts for 86% of the consumption in Thailand. [1 mark] (b) Using two examples, describe how single-use plastic is part of everyday urban life. [4] Award 1 mark for each description using an example on how single-use plastic is part of everyday urban life. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each description, where applicable. Award a maximum of 2 marks if one example is given only. Possible responses include:

1 ∙ Ordering takeaway food is a convenient option for many busy urban residents. [1 mark] Whether it is a burger, sushi or noodles, the food is typically placed in in plastic containers, and plastic utensils are provided for eating. These items are designed for single use and are frequently thrown away after a meal, adding to the plastic waste generated in urban areas. [1 additional mark] ∙ Single-use plastic is part and parcel of grocery shopping in everyday urban life. [1 mark] In large supermarkets, many fruits and vegetables also come pre-packaged in plastic bags or containers. Additionally, most supermarkets offer free plastic bags at the cashier, which are used to carry groceries home and thrown away after. [1 additional mark] ∙ Urban residents rely on various personal care and hygiene products that come packaged in single-use plastic, in their daily routines. [1 mark] Common items used in everyday urban life include shampoo and conditioner bottles, shower gel containers, toothpaste tubes, and plastic razors. These items are typically used and then disposed of, adding to the plastic waste stream in urban areas. [1 additional mark] (c) Explain whether Bangkok’s plastic waste management hierarchy is sustainable in nature as shown in Resource 2. [5] Award 1 mark for each explanation of whether Bangkok’s plastic waste hierarchy is sustainable in nature, to a maximum of 5 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Possible responses include: ∙ Bangkok’s plastic waste management hierarchy is not sustainable in nature because the hierarchy works in the opposite direction as compared to the ideal waste management hierarchy for plastics. [1 mark] ∙ According to Resource 2, there is a lack of att empt by Bangkok to prevent the use or reuse of plastic. This is, however, the most preferred method in the ideal hierarchy. [1 mark] ∙ Only 21% (or 505 tonnes per day) of plastic waste generated in Bangkok is separated at transfer stations to be recycled. This goes contrary to the ideal hierarchy where recycling is the second most preferred method. [1 mark] Although Bangkok has recycling programs and initiatives in place, the overall recycling rate in Thailand is relatively low which makes the hierarchy unsustainable in nature. Challenges include limited recycling infrastructure, lack of recycling awareness, and difficulties in segregating waste properly. [1 additional mark] ∙ About 6% (or 135 tonnes per day) of plastic waste is sent to the incinerator for energy recovery. This is the second -most preferred method in Bangkok but it ranks lower in the ideal hierarchy. [1 mark] Waste -to-energy and incineration are methods used to generate energy from plastic waste. While these approaches can help reduce landfill space and generate electricity, they are not considered the most sustainable solutions

due to potential negative environmental and health impacts associated with emissions from incineration facilities. [1 additional mark] 2 ∙ A majority of 73% (or 1743 tonnes per day) of plastic waste generated in Bangkok is sent to the landfills for disposal. This is unsustainable because valuable land in the capital city would have to be used for landfills and Bangkok has already faced challenges with limited landfill space. [1 mark] Disposal is the least preferred option in the waste management hierarchy. When plastic waste is improperly disposed of, it can end up in natural ecosystems, including oceans and waterways, where it can persi st for hundreds of years. This leads to environmental degradation, harm to wildlife, and the disruption of delicate ecosystems. [1 additional mark] (d) With reference to Resource 3 & 4, explain the demand placed on the natural environment due to plastic waste. [5] Award 1 mark for each explanation of the demand placed on the natural environment due to plastic waste, to a maximum of 4 marks. Award a maximum of 1 additional mark for further development of each explanation, where applicable. Award a maximum of 3 marks for explanation with reference from either Resource 3 or Resource 4 only. Possible responses include: Resource 3 ∙ Plastic waste placed a lasting demand on the natural environment as it breaks down very slowly into microplastics, which are less than 5 millimeters in size. Microplastics are pervasive in the environment, such as the oceans. These tiny particles when ingested by marine organisms can cause health issues and even death. [1 mark] ∙ The young dugong Marium shown in Resource 3 did not survive after an infection was exacerbated by bits of plastic lining her stomach. The microplastics could have been ingested while the dugong was grazing on seagrasses in the shallow coastal waters near to shore. [ 1 additional mark] Resource 4 ∙ Plastic waste places a significant demand on the natural environment because the improper disposal of plastic waste leads to pollution of both land and water environments. [1 mark] According to Resource 3, the dumping of hazardous waste, including scrap plastic and used oil, has caused the rubber trees to stop growing. The plastic litter can degrade natural landscapes, harm wildlife, and leach chemicals into the soil, affecting plant and animal life. [1 additional mark] ∙ Plastics that are littered or inadequately managed can end up in water environments causing water pollution. Plastic waste can entangle and suffocate aquatic life and

disrupt ecosystems. [1 mark] As shown in Resource 3, approximately 1,500kg of rubbish, including plastic food and beverage containers, were dumped daily into the Lat Phrao canal since the pandemic and have caused the freshw