Petroleum An oily liquid that can be pumped from the Earth and used to make items like plastic and gasoline. Photosynthesis During this process, leaves use sunlight to turn water from tree roots and carbon dioxide gas from the air into sugar. This helps plants grow and provides oxygen for people and animals to breathe. Pollute To make the air, soil, or water unclean or unsafe to use. Polymers Long chains of chemicals, that can be twisted and molded into products.
Petroleum is heated at very high temperatures to be broken down into polymers and made into plastic.
Pulp A moist, mushy material made from ground up trees or torn up old paper that is mechanically and chemically made into paper. To restore the energy in an old battery so that it can be used again. To make new products from old ones. Recycling used items, such as paper, cans, or bottles, saves energy, produces less pollution, and uses up fewer natural resources. To use less.