Question of Resource, A

Synopsis

Looks at some of the environmental issues raised by the use of natural resources in the modern urban society. It contrasts a proposed recycling of aluminium drinks cans with the handling of water within a factory. Aluminium is a material that can be recycled fairly easily provided it can be collected and sorted. The energy-intensive manufacture of aluminium from ore provides an economic incentive for the material processor. Water, by contrast, is not necessarily used up within a manufacturing process, but may be used as a carrier within chemical stages, become polluted and then need treatment before re-use. The film shows some of the processes at a fabric dyers and printers, and what happens to the water involved there. Includes an interview with the chief executive of the dyers, Mr Matthew Williams of Standfast Dyers and Printers.

Series

Living with Technology: A Foundation Course, Course T102

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.

Year of production

1991

Availability

OUT OF DISTRIBUTION

Subjects

Environmental science; Technology

Keywords

aluminium; dyeing industries; fabrics; recycling of waste

Credits

Producer

Philip Ashby

Contributor

Mark Endean

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web

http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 (0) 1908 274066

Address

Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

Notes

NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk