Plastic : Disadvantages of Plastic - How You Can Workaround It | Alternatives for plastic

Plastic : Disadvantages of Plastic - How You Can Workaround It

What is plastic?

Plastics are a type of synthetic polymer. Plastics may be biodegradable or non-biodegradable. Most plastics are produced using petrochemical based plastics. These are petroleum derived materials that have been refined down to their basic chemical composition. Petroleum based plastics are commonly referred to as fossil fuels. Examples of petroleum based plastics are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). In recent years many people have become concerned about the environmental impacts of using plastic products. Many consumers are choosing to use natural alternatives instead. There are now thousands of different types of natural and eco-friendly plastics.

There are two different types of plastic - they are either rigid or flexible. Rigid plastic items tend to be stronger than flexible plastic items. Flexible items are easier to mould and shape. However, they often do not look good when moulded or shaped. Sometimes flexible plastic items are called plastics. A material that is often considered to be both plastic and flexible is rubber. Rubber is soft and malleable. Another example of a flexible plastic item is vinyl. Vinyl is widely used for home appliances because of its durability, flexibility and low cost.

The best way to recycle plastic is to take them to a recycling centre where workers separate the recyclables out of the plastic. You can also repurpose these items. If you want to reuse plastic, you will need to find someone who buys recycled goods. Plastic does not melt easily at normal temperatures, so it cannot be reused unless you melt it first.

Plastics are composed of four things; carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Carbon atoms make up approximately 85% of the weight of the molecule. Hydrogen atoms make up approximately 15%. Oxygen makes up 2%, and nitrogen makes up only 1%. The remaining percentage of the molecules are filler atoms. The filler atoms are just empty space inside the molecule.

What is the definition of plastic?

• Plastic is any material formed by polymerization (the controlled solidification) of a chemical substance known as monomer.

• Plastic is a synthetic resin derived from crude oil.

• Plastic is any of a number of synthetic resins.

• Plastic is a type of polymeric material.

• A plastic is any of various man-made materials that do not decay; they become indestructible.

• Plastic is any substance composed of long chains of atoms that have two or more covalent bonds between successive pairs of atoms.

• Plastics are often considered to be polymers, or complex molecules, since their molecular weights can range over several orders of magnitude.

• Plastic is any material made by polymerizing a volatile monomer.

• Plastic is anything that is either non reactive to water or easily removed from water.

• Plastic is the term used in chemistry to denote a class of compounds having the unique property of being able to assume different shapes at room temperature.

• Plastic is any material that does not decompose under normal conditions (as specified).

• Plastic is any material whose molecules consist entirely of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

• Plastic is any substance that can be moulded or shaped at ordinary temperatures.

• Plastic is any type of synthetic material, including thermoplastics, elastomers, and thermosets, that may be moulded or fabricated.

What are the disadvantages of plastic?

Plastic is the material that is commonly used today to make bottles, food packaging, toys, and even clothing. Plastic is composed of two different chemicals - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Both of these plastics are derived from oil and are non-renewable resources. PET is often referred to as 1 plastic while PVC is known as 2 plastic. There are many disadvantages of both plastics that we need to know about.

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Is generally considered to be the best plastic material due to its high clarity and durability. However, some people believe that PET leeches harmful chemicals into foods and drinks, especially beverages packaged in PET. While this may not necessarily be true, studies have shown that certain foods packaged in PET may leach low levels of phthalates, a chemical classified as a possible endocrine disruptor. PET also does not biodegrade naturally, which means it can take hundreds or thousands of years to break down in landfills.

2. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Has been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and organ damage. Studies show that children exposed to vinyl flooring had higher rates of asthma and allergies than children who lived near carpeted floors. Not only do PVC pipes release chlorine gas when they corrode, but it breaks down over time into several toxic substances, including 1, 4-dioxane and chlorinated dibenzodioxins. PVC also doesn't decompose easily, meaning it ends up taking a long time to break down in landfills.

How does plastic affect the environment?

Plastic use in the environment is estimated at 6.3 million tonnes annually.

Plastic impacts our oceans, rivers, landfills, and atmosphere. A high percentage of plastic enters aquatic ecosystems. Once inside, plastics don’t break down easily and are often mistaken as food. Plastic ingestion has been shown to cause gastrointestinal upset and even death in some animals. Microplastics are now being identified in waterways around the world, including drinking water sources. These microplastics enter our bodies via drinking contaminated tap water or consuming seafood caught near polluted waters.

Plastics release chemicals when they degrade into smaller pieces.

When plastic breaks down chemically, it releases additives that have been added during production. These additives can leach out of the plastic and into surrounding environments, posing potential hazards to fish and marine mammals, who mistake these chemicals for food. Ingesting these chemicals can lead to digestive problems and even death. Other chemicals emitted from plastic breakdown are carcinogenic.

Waste products from plastic manufacturing become trash and litter. Trash and litter increase pollution and environmental damage.

Manufacturing companies produce tons of waste each year – waste that ends up in landfills or polluting our waterways. Because plastics don’t decompose easily, we need to stop using them immediately.

Plastics take billions of years to fully biodegrade.

In contrast to natural materials, plastics don’ t naturally break down in the Earth’s biosphere. However, in recent times, studies have indicated that certain species of bacteria may be able to biodegrade some types of plastics. If these bacteria were to be given access to enough space, they could potentially remove contaminants from plastic.

Plastics clog recycling systems.

Recycling programs depend on sorting machines that separate plastic materials from paper and cardboard. When plastics get mixed into paper and cardboard, however, they reduce the efficiency of the sorting machine and slow down recycling processes.

Plastics clog sewers and storm drains.

Sewer pipes and drainage systems collect and direct rainwater run-off from roads, rooftops, and parking lots towards public sewer systems. Unfortunately, many plastic items (such as plastic bottles) aren’t easily separated from wastewater, and end up in the city sewers. Sewer systems also receive plastic bags and other debris from streets and storm drains. Left untreated, this material causes blockages and increases maintenance costs.

Plastic takes valuable resources away from other industries.

The manufacture of plastic requires petroleum, which would otherwise go toward making things like fuel, paints, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and household goods.

What are the advantages of plastic?

Plastic despite its harmful effects, people still love using plastics today because they are cheap and convenient. Plastic products have become indispensable in daily lives. Plastics have been used in making pipes, bottles, toys, clothing, furniture, bags, and many others. Because of their durability, they are widely used in home improvement projects. When you want to buy some affordable and reliable plastic products, try to look for companies that use recycled plastics. Recycled plastics may cost less than virgin plastics, but they do not harm our environment. We will find out the advantages and disadvantages of plastic below.

Advantages of plastic

• It is inexpensive

• You can get it easily

• It is flexible and durable

Alternatives for plastic

Plastics are everywhere around us and they are making our lives much easier. But we have to start realising that these plastics do not last forever. Plastic bottles take centuries to decompose, plastic bags take hundreds of years to disintegrate, and plastic water bottles only last about 10-20 years before they need to be replaced. One solution is to use biodegradable plastics, like those made from corn starch or potato starch. Some companies even make compostable plastic straws.  If everyone started using biodegradable plastics instead of regular ones, the amount of plastic we consume would drastically decrease, and the amount of waste produced would go way down. 

All the world's resources are being destroyed by plastic. They are spread all over the land and oceans. It is the duty of the people of the world to avoid such use of plastic. This is only possible if everyone comes together. People should avoid the use of plastic in the things they use and use only cloth, wooden materials and biodegradable plastic materials. Use it to save the world.

So if you want to help save the planet, consider switching over to biodegradable plastics!