ECS2606
ASSIGNMENT- 1 (ONE)
SEMESTER 1 -2025
(NOT -AI- GENERATED)
ECS2606
2025
ASSIGNMENT – 1 (ONE)
SEMESTER 1 – 2025
(NOT -AI- GENERATED)
, Question 1 -
The COVID-19 interruptions affected the materials balance principle which states that the
materials taken directly from the natural environment return after use as residuals. The
restrictions such as lock downs in several countries led to a minimal global demand and thus
reduced the rate at which materials from the natural environment were exploited. This is
reflected on the reduction of the fossil fuel consumption because this led to reduced emission
of pollutants such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter. For instance, there was a decline
in the use of fossil fuels for transportation hence less emissions to the atmosphere. In any
case, due to idle facilities or production being closed, wasted energy and other emissions and
residuals were considerably low.
This can be elaborated under the material balance principle that states that the decrease of
inputs automatically reduces outputs to the environment. While it had environmental
advantages, the restrictions at the same time affected both recycling and waste management
worldwide. There was a challenge of supply-chain that limited the recycling of materials such
as plastics and papers despite little residuals resulting from cut in production. Nevertheless,
in the general view, the lockdowns showed the practical applicability of the materials balance.
ASSIGNMENT- 1 (ONE)
SEMESTER 1 -2025
(NOT -AI- GENERATED)
ECS2606
2025
ASSIGNMENT – 1 (ONE)
SEMESTER 1 – 2025
(NOT -AI- GENERATED)
, Question 1 -
The COVID-19 interruptions affected the materials balance principle which states that the
materials taken directly from the natural environment return after use as residuals. The
restrictions such as lock downs in several countries led to a minimal global demand and thus
reduced the rate at which materials from the natural environment were exploited. This is
reflected on the reduction of the fossil fuel consumption because this led to reduced emission
of pollutants such as carbon dioxide and particulate matter. For instance, there was a decline
in the use of fossil fuels for transportation hence less emissions to the atmosphere. In any
case, due to idle facilities or production being closed, wasted energy and other emissions and
residuals were considerably low.
This can be elaborated under the material balance principle that states that the decrease of
inputs automatically reduces outputs to the environment. While it had environmental
advantages, the restrictions at the same time affected both recycling and waste management
worldwide. There was a challenge of supply-chain that limited the recycling of materials such
as plastics and papers despite little residuals resulting from cut in production. Nevertheless,
in the general view, the lockdowns showed the practical applicability of the materials balance.
