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Cadmium
A silvery-white heavy metal, which can build up in the environment.
Carbon
A non-metal which has two main forms – diamond and graphite – and also
occurs in charcoal, soot and coal. The element carbon is also a major
component of all living things.
Carbon dioxide
A colourless odourless gas which is created naturally by burning fossil
fuels, and is a major greenhouse gas.
Carbon monoxide
A colourless, odourless gas which is poisonous to humans. It is formed
by the incomplete burning of carbon.
Carbon sink
A pool (or reservoir) that absorbs or takes up released carbon from
another part of the carbon cycle. Forests act as a carbon sink, because
trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Castings
The dirt-like substance produced by worms breaking down organic matter.
Chlorine
A chemical element which takes the form of a toxic, pale green gas.
Chromium
A hard white metal used in stainless steel and other alloys.
Clay
A sticky fine-grained earth material, which often forms a layer in the
soil through which water cannot pass.
Closing the loop
The process of using products made from recycled material, then recycling
these products again when they become waste.
Coal
A fossil fuel formed underground over millions of years from the remains
of dead plants. It is a black or dark brown rock.
Cobalt
A hard silvery-white magnetic metal.
Collection
A stage in the water cycle, where precipitation (such as rain) runs
off the land back into streams, rivers, lakes and the sea.
Combustion
The process of burning something.
Compost
A dirt-like material resulting from the breakdown (or decomposition)
of organic matter.
Composting
Recycling organic waste into compost, by speeding up the natural decomposition
process, to release nutrients and minerals.
Condensation
The conversion of a vapour or gas to a liquid. Condensation occurs in
the water cycle when water vapour cools to form clouds, dew or fog.
Contaminants
Any substances in a material which make it unpure.
Copper
A reddish-brown metal.
Corrosion
The wearing away of metal caused by a chemical reaction between the
metal and either water, chemicals or other metals. Corrosion of steel
is called rust.
Cullet
Broken or waste glass that is used in the manufacture of new glass.
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