Challenges Faced by the Plastic Industry
With all
the roles played by plastic in our lives in the 20th century, it is
hard to imagine a life without this material. Because many plastics are based
ultimately on crude oil, there is a continuous rise in the cost of raw
materials and this increasing cost is something that chemical engineers are
trying to work around (Johnson, 2015) . If we used small amounts of plastic,
the challenge wouldn’t be that big, but no, we use them in astounding
quantities. In a small island like Britain, about 8 billion disposable plastic
bags are used annually! We are literally drowning into plastic, being unable to
get rid of them.
Another
domain of concern is that of environmental degradation. Getting rid of plastic
is a daunting task. Burning is not an option as this entails the release of
toxic chemicals like dioxins. Plastic disposal is a critical issue that needs
to be addressed, we need to adopt more sustainable strategies in plastic
disposal. This issue is currently being addressed through enhanced public
awareness, enhanced recycling policies, and materials research. We need to
strike a balance between environmental and human safety, and the benefits that
accrue to the use of plastic.
Ultimately,
converting to petroleum-free construction materials for use in smart and
sustainable plastics will become a necessity, driven not only by health and
environmental concerns but by the world’s steadily declining oil supply (Impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems,
2010) .
Recognizing Hazardous Plastics
The
Resin identification code describes the type of plastic resin the product is
made of. The most toxic plastics are #7, #3, and #6, the
marginally safer ones include: #1, #2, #4, and #5. It is necessary that we understand these
plastic codes, such that we can better choose which plastics to use and which
not to use.
There
are so many plastic-based products that can neither decompose nor be recycled.
Water bottles that display a 3 or a 5 are often rejected by
public recycling centers in the developed world. A 3 indicates that the
bottle has been made from polyvinyl chloride and a 5 indicates the
bottle was made of polypropylene.
The
following table analyses the seven standard classifications for plastics, and
the recycling and reuse information for each type:
|
N0
|
Name
|
Use
|
Reuse
|
Recycling
|
||
|
1
|
PET –
Polyethylene[1]
Terephthalate
|
Used
in water bottles and for packaging.
|
Intended
for single use. Repeated use increases the risk of leaching and bacterial
growth.
|
Recyclable.
The recycled fiber is used in making textiles like carpets, life jackets, and
stuffing for pillows.
|
||
|
2
|
HDPE[2]
– High-Density Polyethylene
|
Used
in producing detergent and oil bottles, toys, plastic bags.
Due to
its stiff nature, HDPE plastic is also used in producing waste bins, picnic
tables, bed liners and the like.
|
Can be
repurposed.
|
Recyclable.
|
||
|
3
|
PVC[3]
– Polyvinyl Chloride
|
Used
in making teething rings, cooking oil bottles, and clear plastic food
wrappings,
|
Some
PVC products can be reused, but should not be reused for children’s products
or for food applications.
|
Non-recyclable.
|
||
|
4
|
LDPE[4]
– Low-Density Polyethylene
|
Found
in plastic grocery bags, clothing, furniture, and squeezable bottles.
|
Reusable
|
LDPE
products are not always recyclable.
|
||
|
5
|
PP –
Polypropylene
|
Commonly
used in disposable diapers, straws, packing tape, ropes, and plastic bottle
tops.
|
Safe
for reuse.
|
Recyclable[5]
|
||
|
6
|
PS[6]
– Polystyrene
|
Used
to make plastic picnic cutlery, egg cartons, and disposable drinking cups.
|
PS
plastic is reusable.
|
Recycling
options are not widely available.
|
||
|
7
|
Other[7]
– BPA, Polycarbonate and LEXAN
|
Contained
in baby bottles, car parts, and sippy cups.
|
Non-reusable[8]
|
Most
BPA products are non-recyclable.
|
||
Table 1: Plastic; What the 7 Numbers Mean
[1] Products made
of PET plastic should be recycled but not reused.
[2] HDPE is
considered one of the safest form of plastic.
[3] PVC has been
dubbed the ‘poison plastic’, due to its high toxic content, which leach
throughout the product’s life cycle.
[4] Recycled LDPE
plastic is used in producing garbage can liners, and floor tiles.
[5] Recycle PP is
used to make trays, brooms, and battery cases.
[6] PS plastic
should be avoided as much as possible.
[7] #7 in a
receptacle for all polycarbonate (PC) and other non-standardized plastic.
[8] BPA plastic
must have the PLA composite coding in order to be considered reusable.
References
Impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems. (2010, March 20). Retrieved from
http://www.News-Medical.netJohnson, T. (2015). Uses of Plastics. Retrieved May
17, 2015, from Composite.com: http://composite.about.com/od/Plastics/a/Uses-Of-Plastics.htm
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