For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 12-page answer book
• a calculator.
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen. Pencil should only be used for drawing.
• Write the information required on the front cover of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7136/1.
• In Section A answer EITHER Context 1 OR Context 2.
• In Section B, answer ONE essay.
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• There are 40 marks for Section A and 40 marks for Section B.
• You are advised to spend 1 hour on Section A and 1 hour on Section B.
Of the 84 billion tonnes of materials produced each year by the global economy, barely 9% are reused. The United Nations (UN) suggests that better use of resources could add $2 trillion to the global economy by 2050. 1
Environmental groups argue for a ‘circular’ economy, an economic system aimed at minimising waste, making the most of scarce resources and reusing precious raw materials. However, if products last longer, it may seriously damage demand in sectors such as fossil fuels, minerals and agriculture. Manufacturers’ sales would fall, as would the need for shipping and other transport. Currently, many companies intentionally make it difficult to repair their products in order to increase sales. This is both economically inefficient and environmentally foolish; it imposes costs on the environment even though it may make sense for individual companies. 10
Would a circular economy result in workers losing their jobs? Manufacturing jobs are likely to come under pressure, but new jobs would be created. According to one study, waste disposal generates just 0.1 jobs per 1000 tonnes, compared with two jobs from recycling the same amount. The environment would benefit, with fewer mines, more trees and less need for landfill and incineration. Recycling aluminium saves 95% of energy compared with creating new metal. The comparable savings are 88% for plastic, 60% for steel and paper, and 38% for glass. By 2035, all European Union (EU) states will be required by law to recycle 65% of their waste, compared to an average of 40% today. But populations grow. By 2050, the world will have 2 billion more consumers, increasing the pressure on the environment.
While rich countries are cleaning up at home, they are exporting their ‘disposable’ lifestyle around the world, by sending their waste to developing countries. Many developing countries are now beginning to resist this. In 2018, a huge shock hit the global recycling industry. China, the world’s biggest waste importer, stopped accepting recycled plastic and paper from abroad, and limited imports of cardboard. Previously, over 50% of such waste was transported to China each year. China plans to introduce bans on most other waste imports.
The Chinese ban removed the third part of the ‘collect, sort, export’ system on which developed economies rely. Alternatives are scarce. Incinerators and landfill will take some of the surplus waste, but the capacity of both is limited. Landfill is gradually being regulated out of existence in many places, including the EU. High labour costs make hiring enough human sorters to deal with waste volumes very expensive. 10
Automation could, in time, sort some of the surplus waste, but innovation has been slow. Although China has disrupted the whole global waste trade, many experts see some benefits in forcing rich countries to rethink. The ban has given a boost to some entrepreneurs. Online marketplaces for recycled plastics, metal and paper have grown rapidly. Recycled materials now flow to the highest bidder and hence to the highest-value use. However, such operations cannot compensate quickly for the Chinese ban. Many vironmental economists suggest that making firms pay for the costs of landfill associated with their products, or taxing raw material inputs, will be necessary to ensure a sustainable future for all. 15
Using the data in Extract A (Figure 1) calculate the percentage of all plastics produced in the period 1950–2015 which have either been sent to landfill or incinerated. Give your answer to one decimal place. [2 marks]
Explain how the data in Extract A (Figure 2) show that higher living standards lead to greater volumes of waste per capita being produced. [4 marks]
Extract B (lines 8–10) states: ‘many companies intentionally make it difficult to repair their products in order to increase sales. This is both economically inefficient and environmentally foolish; it imposes costs on the environment even though it may make sense for individual companies.’
With the help of a diagram, explain how the production of goods which are designed not to last long may result in market failure. [9 marks]
Extract C (lines 17–19) states: ‘Many environmental economists suggest that making firms pay for the costs of landfill associated with their products, or taxing raw material inputs, will be necessary to ensure a sustainable future for all.’
Using the extracts and your knowledge of economics, evaluate policies, if any, that governments in developed countries should pursue to reduce waste and encourage the recycling of waste products.
Social care in England involves the provision of personal care to adults with needs arising from illness, disability, old age or poverty. Social care is provided to people in their own homes or in care homes. Many people in need of care are on low incomes and cannot afford to pay for it themselves. High quality care provides private benefits and also external benefits, including lower burdens on the NHS and on working relatives. Until the 1990s, almost all workers in the care sector were employed by the government, which acted as a monopsonist by keeping wages low. Over the last 30 years the sector has been largely privatised, with 75% of England’s 15 000 care homes now run for profit. Privatisation was intended to create more choice, improve efficiency and ensure high quality, whilst enabling a quicker response to changing demand.
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