With all
multitude of roles played by plastic in our lives in the 21st
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 
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) .
Works Cited
Impact
of plastics on human health and ecosystems. (2010, March 20). Retrieved from http://www.News-Medical.net
Johnson, 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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