Outline Why “plastic age” and why plastic? Nowadays Future Conclusion

Why? Plastic is everywhere –since ~1900 –production: 100 million tons / year What is plastic? –a range of synthetic or semi-synthetic polymerization products –many are malleable, having the property of plasticity Properties –resistant, durable, good container & insulator –easy to produce –inexpensive

But… manufacturing often creates large quantities of chemical pollutants lifecycle: very short for many products durable -> very slow degradation (hundreds of years) burning it can release toxic fumes plastic waste –26% * total volume –10% * total weight

Is it really cheap? cheap while ignoring the end-of-life implications minimal reuse After usage solutions –burn energy-efficient but can release toxic substances –recycle difficult –let it be hundreds of years

Recycle? (1) 1. PET: soft drinks bottles, oil bottles 2. HDPE: detergent bottles, milk jugs 3. PVC: pipes, outdoor furniture, liquid detergent containers 4. LDPE: dry-cleaning bags, trash can liners, food storage containers 5. PP: bottle caps, drinking straws 6. PS: cups, plastic tableware, meat trays, take-away food clamshell containers 7. Others

Recycle? (2) recycling is possible; various efficiency levels –PET: 20% -> other PET, the rest: other kinds of plastic recycling is challenging –big molecules that must be very similar to "melt" together –colors, additives, other substances –disassembling is difficult recyclable! recycled? –collecting – many consumers –sorting – many kinds of plastic

Recycle? (3) Developed countries –laws that force/ reward collecting & recycling return price for PET's, cost for plastic bags infrastructure of collecting points supermarkets cannot offer plastic bags –history in education for reuse & recycling –being “green” becomes fashionable for companies Countries under development –the environment is not a priority no infrastructure / laws –short-term cost matters for people –commodity preferred over long term effects

Plastic waste – landfill argued to be not harmful –“it does not free any toxic substances” –it is not biodegradable imagine: 20 million plastic bags used in Australia everyday harmful to ecosystems dead animals long-term effects on oceans - still unknown

The future Ongoing research for other materials with the same properties Recycling, reuse Plastic’s cost depends on petrol –out of petrol would mean out of plastic

Conclusion Enormous quantities of plastic are produced and used It is convenient (use and throw away) Although some plastics are recyclable, not enough is recycled Laws, economical measures and education help

Thank you!