Humans have benefited from the use of polymers since approximately 1600 BC when the ancient Mesoamericans first processed natural rubber into balls, figurines and bands. In the intervening years, man has relied increasingly on plastics and rubber, first experimenting with natural polymers, horn, waxes, natural rubber and resins, until the 19th century, when the development of modern thermoplastics began.
Development of modern plastics really expanded in the first 50 years of the 20th century. The success of plastics as a material has been substantial; they have proved versatile for use in a range of types and forms. Plastics have a range of unique properties: they can be used at a very wide range of temperatures, are chemical-and light-resistant and they are very strong and tough, but can be easily worked as a hot melt.
It is this range of properties together with their low cost that has driven the annual worldwide demand for plastics to reach 367 million metric tons in 2020.
Plastic is now a ubiquitous part of modern life, but there have been growing concerns over its environmental impacts in recent years. This has resulted in an increased demand for more eco-friendly materials – such as biodegradable plastics. The global biodegradable plastics market is projected to reach a value of more than 20 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.
The Benefits of Plastic
There’s no doubt that certain single use plastics are bad news. Or that we can all strive to use less plastic. The last thing any self-respecting eco warrior wants to be seen with is a plastic water bottle. But there are many reasons why plastic is good – even some single use plastics.
In the medical industry, plastics are used to keep things sterile. Syringes and surgical implements are all plastic and single use. They wouldn’t survive the temperatures needed to kill bacteria and viruses by heat sterilisation.
Sterilising metal syringes simply isn’t feasible. Glass is too dangerous and heavy.
The benefits of plastic extend into far reaching areas of our lives. Plastics protect our heads in the form of helmets. They keep us safer in our cars in the form of seatbelts, fuel tanks, windscreens and airbags.
Plastic also helps to insulate our homes and make them more energy efficient. Window trims, front door frames and cavity wall insulation materials are generally made from plastic.
Food-wise, plastic keeps food fresh and affordable and helps to tackle the food waste problem. Shipping food in plastic is cheaper and less resource intensive than shipping it in glass.
Many foods are wrapped in unnecessary amounts of plastic. There’s little doubt this needs to change. But asking the food industry to completely ditch plastic when we need affordable food and lots of it, isn’t the answer.
It’s impossible to live a plastic free existence. Using your bank card, sitting on the bus, driving to the station. They all involve plastic.
However, we do need to drastically reduce our dependence on most single use plastics.
Plastic bottles, straws, drinks stirrers and shopping bags. These are all bad news and there are so many reusable alternatives now available.
We can’t consider plastic in isolation – there are many factors to consider. Instead, we need to take a balanced approach to the plastic problem.
Demanding a plastic free world will only push the problem elsewhere. And sometimes, the alternatives are worse.
Glass is heavy and takes more resources to ship. It can be wasteful too – if glass breaks in the food chain or on a production line, the whole lot needs to be scrapped. It’s also very expensive to recycle.
Metals such as tin and aluminium are lighter. But they still need to be mined and the world only has a limited resource of both. Plus, many metals oxidise over time, causing potential contamination problems.
Bamboo is a great natural alternative to plastic cups, straws, cutlery and plates. But is importing bamboo the answer? Especially when it’s thought that so much of it comes from poorly controlled forests. These forests often have irresponsible logging practices and overuse pesticides.
Biodegradable or compostable plastics are great. These ‘bioplastics’ are made using renewable plant material such as corn, rather than petroleum. But for biodegradable packaging to breakdown, it needs to be in an industrial composting facility. Plus, some biodegradable plastics have been found to be far from biodegradable.
Then there’s the humble cloth tote bag. Cotton requires more water and energy to produce than the plastics used to make carrier bags.
Yep, I was shocked too. How many cotton bags do you have at home?
Paper bags don’t do much better either. Paper bags take four times more energy and generate more air and water pollutants to make than plastic bags. (Keep in mind though, that paper and cotton are made from renewable sources and are still better options. They’re also less damaging to the environment when they break down in landfill.)
So, folks, it’s complicated. But the first step to becoming a more mindful consumer is understanding the issues across the board.
In other words, the overall environmental impact of plastic is lower than that of alternative materials, like bulky cardboard and weighty metal. Since plastic can be designed to be durable without becoming heavy, you don’t have to transport a lot of extra mass and volume. That means you can reduce fuel consumption, which saves money and lowers emissions that are harmful to the environment.
Plastic enters the ocean via many different routes. Proper disposal of plastic items (especially recycling, when possible) is clearly the key to keeping it out of the ocean. Although consumers in industrialized countries produce the most plastic waste, developing countries are the source of most of the plastic waste that ends up in the oceans. The best way to help the environment is to improve recycling and waste management throughout the world, particularly in countries where existing infrastructure is lacking.
In an age where threats to the environment are widespread, it is important for individuals and industries alike to make an effort to minimize the negative environmental impacts of their activities. Plastic food packaging reduces food waste and lowers carbon emissions, both of which contribute to a reduction in global warming. The key is to create packaging that are more environmentally friendly and then dispose of that packaging in environmentally friendly manners.