Everything is made from something! And all the things we use and own have been made from materials extracted from the environment around us. 

These precious resources all come from our Earth and their value is related to how much or little is available to us on the planet. Everything also has a life cycle, which impacts the environment all the way from where it initially comes from (whether that’s from rock, sand, oil, trees, plants or animals) to where it returns to the environment, ie. cradle to grave.

Find out more about these materials and what happens when we throw them away.

A selection of materials for recycling spread around a recycling symbol

Facts about our Material World

The importance of materials to humans is huge. Everything we make or use has been made from something we have constructed from the materials around us. Tools have helped us create the modern world we all live in, from the very first Stone Age flint tools to the most modern smartwatches.

Global Issues

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