We want to extract metals but metals are found as compounds e.g. sodium oxide or copper oxide.
If the metal is less reactive than carbon, react with carbon.
e.g. copper oxide + carbon --> copper + carbon dioxide
If the metal is more reactive than carbon, use Electrolysis.
Phytoextraction: grow plant so it absorbs metal compounds. Burn plant. Use the ash.
Bacterial extraction: bacteria absorbs metal compounds. Use it to produce leachate solution.
Life-cycle assessments: factor in carbon footprint from: finding raw materials, making, using, transporting the product, and disposing the product.
LCAs require value judgements so they may be subjective.
Recycling or reusing limited materials saves resources, energy and waste.
Glass and metal can be melted and reshaped and reused.
Separate Science Chemistry Students Only (In Progress)
the trade-off between rate of production of a desired product and position of equilibrium in some industrially important processes
e commercially used conditions for an industrial process are related to the availability and cost of raw materials and energy supplies, control of equilibrium position and rate