Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hey. I got this assignment about making trash to 'gold'. So using trash to make energi in a non polluting way. So I came with the idea that I somehow can use the elements in the trash to something. So my question is: What is the most common element from the periodic table in household trash?

Good question!

I suggest you start by researching what the make up is of an average trash stream. Is it mostly paper products, plastics? Once you know the type of material you can look into what elements that material is composed from. For example, plastics are derived from hydrocarbons (crude oil) and will have a high carbon content.

Audrey