Over the past few years numerous campaigns have attempted to reduce our reliance on plastic. Recently attention has moved from supermarket plastic bags to drink straws and bottle manufacturers.
But has plastic been unfairly demonised? Might bio-derived, biodegradable plastics be kinder to the environment and acceptable to consumers or do these alternatives do more harm than good?
In this webinar, Julie Hill, explores the dilemmas, myths, science and unanswered questions surrounding our use of plastics, drawing on work done by the Green Alliance and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).
Published September 2014 in Waste360, this article discusses how misconceptions from both producers and consumers are limiting the efficiency of the current recycling practices in the United States.
Published September 2014 in Waste360, this article discusses how misconceptions from both producers and consumers are limiting the efficiency of the current recycling practices in the United States.
ARE “BIOPLASTICS” A SCAM OR THE SOLUTION TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PLASTIC PROBLEMS?TidalVision
Biomass derived plastics are commonly called “bioplastics.” The IUPAC considers this misleading because it suggests that any bioplastic is “environmentally friendly.” However, not all plastics and bioplastics are created equal in terms of environmental friendliness.
Case study / How to upcycle to start a Japanese company?Wiithaa
Here is a brief sum up of one of our case study with a Japanese company. Initially, the company wanted to find new applications for its product, Wiithaa want a bit further in its propositions.
http://www.polychem-usa.com/recycling-services/ | Of all the plastic thrown away every year, only 9% of it is recycled. Un-recycled plastics have a large negative effect on the environment and the economy, and US businesses can have a big part in reducing that impact by sorting their plastic waste and purchasing items made from post-consumer plastic.
Plastic Waste Management and Recycling Technology : P1Vignesh Sekar
The main objective of this presentation is to emphasise the reduced use of plastic and the beneficial management of plastic waste. This also includes alternative measures for the substitution of the synthetic polymers. Efficient transformation of plastic into energy and fuel. Controlling the impact of plastic waste on the environment. Making our environment an eco-friendly zone.
Biodegradable plastic available at BioSphere Plastic LLC! They provide affordable non-starch, non-oxodegradable environmental solutions with biodegradable plastic additives world wide.
Plastic has brought immense benefits to the whole human race. The light weight, cheap chemical resistant and strong material has got almost omnipotent presence. When we talk of its strength we talk of the time till it survives and to everyone’s knowledge plastic does not bio-degrade. Yes, plastic the greatest invention of mankind has the power to even destroy mankind. Plastic that is not biodegradable brings a lot of environmental issues. It deteriorates the ozone layer. For the most part plastic is produced from oil. The world is progressively running out of oil. Research says plastic brings number of harms not only to humans but also the entire cosmos. The plastic which cannot be recycled has to be disposed off in some or the other way. Let’s say if we dispose in water it has the tendency to destroy marine life. So the only way left to reduce the ill effects of plastic is to use eco-friendly or biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decay in usual aerobic environments.
See More at : http://goo.gl/84r5cM
http://www.entrepreneurindia.co/
Tags
Bio plastics Business, Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics, Biodegradable plastic products, Biodegradable Plastics, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Based Profitable Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Based Small Scale Industries Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Industry in India, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Small Business Manufacturing, Biodegradable Plastics business, Biodegradable Plastics Eco Friendly Plastics, Biodegradable plastics from polylactic acid, Biodegradable plastics from renewable sources, Biodegradable plastics from wheat starch, Biodegradable Plastics: Starting a business, Biodegradable polymer, Biodegradable Polymers and Plastics, Biodegradable polyolefins, Biodegradation of acylated sugar-linked poly(styrene Maleic anhydride), Biomineralization of the sugar-linked poly(styrene maleic Anhydride), Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics, Biotechnology, Business consultancy, Business consultant, Business guidance for Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers industry, Business guidance to clients, Business Plan for a Startup Business, Business start-up, Degradable plastics for composting, Good Scope in Biodegradable Plastic Products, Great Opportunity for Startup, How are bioplastics made, How to Start a Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business, How to start a successful Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers business, How to Start Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Industry in India, How to start plastic recycling business, Managing Bioplastics Business Innovation in Start up, modern small and cottage scale industries, Most Profitable Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business Ideas
Here we will see the classifications, Collection, Handling & Sorting, different methods of sorting of plastics
About Biodegradable polymers, how to use it and reuse it
May 2022 Gordon Robertson: Rational Thoughts on Sustainable Packaging
With 30 years of experience across the food science and packaging spectrum, Dr Claire Sand through her company, Packaging Technology & Research, offers clients solutions using Strategy, Technology, Consulting and Coaching.
Want to know more about how this article affect your business? Reach out to Dr Sand on Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairekoelschsand
Want to keep learning from Dr. Sand? View more of her presentations and articles at https://www.packagingtechnologyandresearch.com/expertise.html
Dr. Claire Sand | Owner, Packaging Technology & Research, LLC; Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University; Columnist for Food Technology Magazine
http://www.packagingtechnologyandresearch.com/
ARE “BIOPLASTICS” A SCAM OR THE SOLUTION TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PLASTIC PROBLEMS?TidalVision
Biomass derived plastics are commonly called “bioplastics.” The IUPAC considers this misleading because it suggests that any bioplastic is “environmentally friendly.” However, not all plastics and bioplastics are created equal in terms of environmental friendliness.
Case study / How to upcycle to start a Japanese company?Wiithaa
Here is a brief sum up of one of our case study with a Japanese company. Initially, the company wanted to find new applications for its product, Wiithaa want a bit further in its propositions.
http://www.polychem-usa.com/recycling-services/ | Of all the plastic thrown away every year, only 9% of it is recycled. Un-recycled plastics have a large negative effect on the environment and the economy, and US businesses can have a big part in reducing that impact by sorting their plastic waste and purchasing items made from post-consumer plastic.
Plastic Waste Management and Recycling Technology : P1Vignesh Sekar
The main objective of this presentation is to emphasise the reduced use of plastic and the beneficial management of plastic waste. This also includes alternative measures for the substitution of the synthetic polymers. Efficient transformation of plastic into energy and fuel. Controlling the impact of plastic waste on the environment. Making our environment an eco-friendly zone.
Biodegradable plastic available at BioSphere Plastic LLC! They provide affordable non-starch, non-oxodegradable environmental solutions with biodegradable plastic additives world wide.
Plastic has brought immense benefits to the whole human race. The light weight, cheap chemical resistant and strong material has got almost omnipotent presence. When we talk of its strength we talk of the time till it survives and to everyone’s knowledge plastic does not bio-degrade. Yes, plastic the greatest invention of mankind has the power to even destroy mankind. Plastic that is not biodegradable brings a lot of environmental issues. It deteriorates the ozone layer. For the most part plastic is produced from oil. The world is progressively running out of oil. Research says plastic brings number of harms not only to humans but also the entire cosmos. The plastic which cannot be recycled has to be disposed off in some or the other way. Let’s say if we dispose in water it has the tendency to destroy marine life. So the only way left to reduce the ill effects of plastic is to use eco-friendly or biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that will decay in usual aerobic environments.
See More at : http://goo.gl/84r5cM
http://www.entrepreneurindia.co/
Tags
Bio plastics Business, Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics, Biodegradable plastic products, Biodegradable Plastics, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Based Profitable Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Based Small Scale Industries Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Industry in India, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Projects, Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Small Business Manufacturing, Biodegradable Plastics business, Biodegradable Plastics Eco Friendly Plastics, Biodegradable plastics from polylactic acid, Biodegradable plastics from renewable sources, Biodegradable plastics from wheat starch, Biodegradable Plastics: Starting a business, Biodegradable polymer, Biodegradable Polymers and Plastics, Biodegradable polyolefins, Biodegradation of acylated sugar-linked poly(styrene Maleic anhydride), Biomineralization of the sugar-linked poly(styrene maleic Anhydride), Biopolymers and Biodegradable Plastics, Biotechnology, Business consultancy, Business consultant, Business guidance for Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers industry, Business guidance to clients, Business Plan for a Startup Business, Business start-up, Degradable plastics for composting, Good Scope in Biodegradable Plastic Products, Great Opportunity for Startup, How are bioplastics made, How to Start a Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business, How to start a successful Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers business, How to Start Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Industry in India, How to start plastic recycling business, Managing Bioplastics Business Innovation in Start up, modern small and cottage scale industries, Most Profitable Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers Business Ideas
Here we will see the classifications, Collection, Handling & Sorting, different methods of sorting of plastics
About Biodegradable polymers, how to use it and reuse it
May 2022 Gordon Robertson: Rational Thoughts on Sustainable Packaging
With 30 years of experience across the food science and packaging spectrum, Dr Claire Sand through her company, Packaging Technology & Research, offers clients solutions using Strategy, Technology, Consulting and Coaching.
Want to know more about how this article affect your business? Reach out to Dr Sand on Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairekoelschsand
Want to keep learning from Dr. Sand? View more of her presentations and articles at https://www.packagingtechnologyandresearch.com/expertise.html
Dr. Claire Sand | Owner, Packaging Technology & Research, LLC; Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University; Columnist for Food Technology Magazine
http://www.packagingtechnologyandresearch.com/
A deep dive into the current state of healthcare plastics recycling, including the scope of the opportunity, common types of plastics, impacts of the China ban, and challenges and opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.hprc.org/about-hprc Presented to the Environmental Advisory Council at the 2018 Vizient Clinical Connections Summit,
I delivered this presentation to a small group from Age UK as part of the University of Bath Students Union volunteering team. This presentation outlined the motivation and aim of my PhD thesis as of the first semester
I hosted this discussion on the economics of plastic at the proposal stage of my PhD research to gather stakeholder feedback on the research design. Thank you to the University of Bath Public Engagement Unit for all their guidance in making this possible.
Interesting presentation about packaging in a circular economy. Methods for a sustainable packaging: PCW, Bioplastic. Information about carbon black and the recycling of RPET.
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Title: Recycling Plastics
1
Recycling Plastics
Logan Mongelli, Victoria Pemberton, Roddy
Tierney, Deanna Prue
2
Types of Plastics
There are seven different types of plastics that
are each identified by an identification number
describing chemical makeup
3
1. PETE- Polyethylene Terephtalate
The brand name is Dacron
It is a thermoplastic that is used in synthetic
fibers such as -Beverage, food and other
liquid containers -Thermoforming
applications -Engineering resins often in
combination with glass fiber
Because PETE is an excellent water and moisture
barrier material, plastic bottles made from PETE
are widely used for soft drinks
The majority of the world's PETE production is
for synthetic fibers (more than 60), with bottle
production accounting for around 30 of global
demand
This form of plastic is one of the most commonly
recycled of the seven types
In terms of textile applications, PETE is
referred to by its common name, polyester. The
acronym "PETE" is generally used in relation to
packaging.
4
PET consists of polymerized units of the monomer
ethylene terephthalate, with repeating
C10H8O4units.
This is a short piece of the PET polymer chain
5
2. HDPE- High-density Polyethylene
HDPE is considered one of the safer plastics and
is easily recycled
It is also stronger than standard Polyethylene,
good barrier from moisture, and stays solid at
room temperature
One other bonus is HDPE doesnt leak any toxic
chemicals into the soil or water
This particular Plastic is known for its strength
to density ratio
Like most plastics it is made from petroleum
Since this material can be remolded by subsequent
melting and shaping, it is classified as a
polyethylene thermoplastic
6
These are commonly
used items with the
Plastics HDPE
7
3. Vinyl
Synthetic man-made material made from ethylene
and chlorine
Both the substances are combined to form
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin
It is the third-most widely produced plastic
Low cost material to produce, very durable,
resistant to moisture
Used in construction because it is more effective
than traditional materials such as copper, iron
or wood in pipe and profile applications
It is also used in clothing and upholstery,
electrical cable insulation, inflatable products
and many applications in which it replaces rubber
when plasticizers are added to it to make it
softer and more flexible
Easily recycled, and more environmentally
friendly since 57 of vinyl is made from common
salt which is a renewable natural resource
8
A strand of the Polyvinyl
Sharing is Caring – Can cross industry collaboration be achieved on key envir...IES / IAQM
Sharing is Caring – Can cross industry collaboration be achieved on key environmental topics?
Rebecca Hearn, Director, Midland Lands Events: MidLE
mental topics?
WRI’s brand new “Food Service Playbook for Promoting Sustainable Food Choices” gives food service operators the very latest strategies for creating dining environments that empower consumers to choose sustainable, plant-rich dishes. This research builds off our first guide for food service, now with industry experience and insights from nearly 350 academic trials.
"Understanding the Carbon Cycle: Processes, Human Impacts, and Strategies for...MMariSelvam4
The carbon cycle is a critical component of Earth's environmental system, governing the movement and transformation of carbon through various reservoirs, including the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms. This complex cycle involves several key processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, each contributing to the regulation of carbon levels on the planet.
Human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have significantly altered the natural carbon cycle, leading to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations and driving climate change. Understanding the intricacies of the carbon cycle is essential for assessing the impacts of these changes and developing effective mitigation strategies.
By studying the carbon cycle, scientists can identify carbon sources and sinks, measure carbon fluxes, and predict future trends. This knowledge is crucial for crafting policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing carbon storage, and promoting sustainable practices. The carbon cycle's interplay with climate systems, ecosystems, and human activities underscores its importance in maintaining a stable and healthy planet.
In-depth exploration of the carbon cycle reveals the delicate balance required to sustain life and the urgent need to address anthropogenic influences. Through research, education, and policy, we can work towards restoring equilibrium in the carbon cycle and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Willie Nelson Net Worth: A Journey Through Music, Movies, and Business Venturesgreendigital
Willie Nelson is a name that resonates within the world of music and entertainment. Known for his unique voice, and masterful guitar skills. and an extraordinary career spanning several decades. Nelson has become a legend in the country music scene. But, his influence extends far beyond the realm of music. with ventures in acting, writing, activism, and business. This comprehensive article delves into Willie Nelson net worth. exploring the various facets of his career that have contributed to his large fortune.
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Introduction
Willie Nelson net worth is a testament to his enduring influence and success in many fields. Born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Nelson's journey from a humble beginning to becoming one of the most iconic figures in American music is nothing short of inspirational. His net worth, which estimated to be around $25 million as of 2024. reflects a career that is as diverse as it is prolific.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Humble Origins
Willie Hugh Nelson was born during the Great Depression. a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. Raised by his grandparents. Nelson found solace and inspiration in music from an early age. His grandmother taught him to play the guitar. setting the stage for what would become an illustrious career.
First Steps in Music
Nelson's initial foray into the music industry was fraught with challenges. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue his dreams, but success did not come . Working as a songwriter, Nelson penned hits for other artists. which helped him gain a foothold in the competitive music scene. His songwriting skills contributed to his early earnings. laying the foundation for his net worth.
Rise to Stardom
Breakthrough Albums
The 1970s marked a turning point in Willie Nelson's career. His albums "Shotgun Willie" (1973), "Red Headed Stranger" (1975). and "Stardust" (1978) received critical acclaim and commercial success. These albums not only solidified his position in the country music genre. but also introduced his music to a broader audience. The success of these albums played a crucial role in boosting Willie Nelson net worth.
Iconic Songs
Willie Nelson net worth is also attributed to his extensive catalog of hit songs. Tracks like "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "On the Road Again," and "Always on My Mind" have become timeless classics. These songs have not only earned Nelson large royalties but have also ensured his continued relevance in the music industry.
Acting and Film Career
Hollywood Ventures
In addition to his music career, Willie Nelson has also made a mark in Hollywood. His distinctive personality and on-screen presence have landed him roles in several films and television shows. Notable appearances include roles in "The Electric Horseman" (1979), "Honeysuckle Rose" (1980), and "Barbarosa" (1982). These acting gigs have added a significant amount to Willie Nelson net worth.
Television Appearances
Nelson's char
Characterization and the Kinetics of drying at the drying oven and with micro...Open Access Research Paper
The objective of this work is to contribute to valorization de Nephelium lappaceum by the characterization of kinetics of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum. The seeds were dehydrated until a constant mass respectively in a drying oven and a microwawe oven. The temperatures and the powers of drying are respectively: 50, 60 and 70°C and 140, 280 and 420 W. The results show that the curves of drying of seeds of Nephelium lappaceum do not present a phase of constant kinetics. The coefficients of diffusion vary between 2.09.10-8 to 2.98. 10-8m-2/s in the interval of 50°C at 70°C and between 4.83×10-07 at 9.04×10-07 m-8/s for the powers going of 140 W with 420 W the relation between Arrhenius and a value of energy of activation of 16.49 kJ. mol-1 expressed the effect of the temperature on effective diffusivity.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT GREEN WASHING IS!.pdfJulietMogola
Many companies today use green washing to lure the public into thinking they are conserving the environment but in real sense they are doing more harm. There have been such several cases from very big companies here in Kenya and also globally. This ranges from various sectors from manufacturing and goes to consumer products. Educating people on greenwashing will enable people to make better choices based on their analysis and not on what they see on marketing sites.
2. What I’d like this session to do:
• Give a sense of the dilemmas we have in shaping
the future of plastics
• Introduce Green Alliance and WRAP work to
explore the potential future of plastics
• Pose the research questions that fall out of that
work
• Learn your views
3.
4. Q: When was the first synthetic
plastic invented?
5.
6. Plastic – the new kid on the block
1907: Bakelite
1912: Cellophane
1926: PVC
1930: Neoprene
1931: Victrolac (Vinyl for records)
1933: Polyethylene
1935: Nylon
1938: Teflon
1941: PET
1950: Polyester
1951: Polypropylene
1954: Expanded polystyrene
1960s: HDPE bottles start to replace glass
1965: Kevlar
7. What’s good about plastic?
• Comes in many different types
• Can take a huge variety forms
• Can be endlessly combined
• Durable
• Light and easy to transport
• Cheap
8.
9. What’s bad about plastic?
• Comes in many different types
• Can take a huge variety forms
• Can be endlessly combined
• Durable
• Light and easy to transport
• Cheap
13. WRAP and the circular economy
A circular economy is an alternative to a
traditional linear economy (make, use,
dispose) in which we keep resources in use for
as long as possible, extract the maximum value
from them whilst in use, then recover and
regenerate products and materials at the end
of each service life.
22. Improving recovery rates in UK in future likely to hinge on:
• Less confused consumers
• Greater emphasis on including business waste
• Smaller range of plastics, to increase scale
• Less mixing of types, to get purer streams
• ‘Market pull’ – demand for recycled content
• Greater rate of re-use (perhaps deposit schemes)
23.
24.
25. Concluded that biodegradable plastics ‘would not
bring about a significant decrease in either the
quantity of plastics entering the ocean or the risk of
physical and chemical impacts on the marine
environment’.
Because:
- Most are designed to degrade in industrial
conditions, with higher temperatures
- Those easily degrading (eg used for fishing
tackle) only useful for specific applications
27. Criteria for Compostable Packaging (2010)
• Material should not cut across or disrupt
established recycling streams for conventional
plastics
• Material needs to be easily recognisable as
compostable
• The logic of its use needs to be evident, and
aligned with consumer expectations
• Ideally the material should be home compostable
28.
29.
30. The WRAP perspective
• Still a lot of fundamental science to be done on degradation in
a range of environments – warm and cold.
• Most biodegradeable plastics need oxygen to degrade, so it
does not work well in anaerobic digestion (AD).
• No standard that covers biodegradability in all environments.
• Waste valorisation is a key goal – monomers that can find a
market in new products.
31.
32. Dilemma: How to get future
plastics to go in the right direction?
35. Some research questions
Technical:
• Possibilities for utilising bio-wastes for plastic feedstock
• Making biodegradation work in a range of environments
• Reducing the number of polymers in play while retaining
functionality
Market:
• Economic ways of producing monomers from secondary
plastics that can find a market in new products.
Behavioural:
• Effective messaging to consumers and businesses that ensures
plastic materials are sent down the right route
36. Thank you – look forward to
questions and views.
Julie@juliehill.org.uk
37. Questions asked
Question Answer
Why do authorities never use the number system for
recycling?
The numbers indicate what the material is, but not whether the local authority has an
available means of recycling it, hence the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) initiative:
http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/pack-recycling-label
Most plastic recycling labels are very small & hard to
read. If they are made much larger and clearer would
this help consumers?
The On-pack Recycling Label scheme was designed to address this problem, and all
feedback welcome: http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/pack-recycling-label
Should biodegradable plastics be collected with other
plastics for recycling and then sorted to go down right
route or would biodegradable plastics be collected via
another route?
This might be physically possible, but the extra transport and kit might make it
economically unviable.
Demand for secondary plastics seems to be a
challenge - manufacturers only really want PET or
HDPE ... what can be done to increase demands for
secondary materials in plastics?
Demand fluctuates for all secondary plastics. Getting consistent good quality in the
secondary materials is a key factor, and that goes back to improved collection
methods and sorting. Suggestions for ways to boost demand have included a
voluntary or mandatory level of recycled content in packaging (eg Coca Cola’s
commitment to using 50% secondary PET – see http://www.coca-
cola.co.uk/newsroom And/or a levy on packaging that isn’t recyclable, or doesn’t
include recycled content.
Plastic bags a few years ago, straws are rightfully in
the firing line at the moment , what's the other low
hanging fruit
There has been talk of taxing single use plastics such as coffee cups and drinks
bottles.
The isssue with ocean plastics appears to be getting
so acute the problem will not wait for better recycling
routes. Any ideas on how to tackle ocean plastics?
Green Alliance has some suggestions: http://www.green-
alliance.org.uk/marine_plastics.php
also the UN: https://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/ and the Ellen
MacArthur Foundation: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/
Will Brexit change plastic recycling regulations/
opportunities
The UK may or may not be subject to the EU’s forthcoming Circular Economy
Package, depending on the timing, but I would hope that we would want to do well on
re-use and recycling anyway, because of the great economic and jobs benefits to be
had in establishing new UK businesses. See www.green-alliance.org.uk/employment
With China stopping import of plastic waste, will
Europe upgrade their infrastructure to recycle more or
This probably depends on the economics, but clearly it is a great potential opportunity
to upgrade the recycling and establish UK infrastructure.
Editor's Notes
I have role as a member of the Council of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), I Chair the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and am an Associate of Green Alliance.
WRAP's vision is a world in which resources are used sustainably. It is a not-for-profit organisation working with governments, businesses and communities to deliver practical solutions to improve resource efficiency.
We do a huge amount of evidence gathering which we can then translate to action, and have major programmes on food waste prevention and circular economy. Plastics are a theme in a great deal of our work.
Green Alliance is a charity and independent think tank focused on achieving ambitious leadership for the environment, and has resources as one of its key themes.
I’m not a chemist or materials specialist, but my interest in all materials led me to write this book, and set out the history and stories of all the things that make up our consumption, and the difficulties of dealing with them at ‘end of life’. The story of plastics is the most complex by far.
Answers submitted ranged from the 1850s to the 1940’s, and several participants had the name and the date. The answer is that the patent for ‘Bakelite’ was filed in 1907.
This is where it began – the picture on the left is the vessel that Leo Baekeland used to produce Bakelite in his home laboratory in Yonkers in New York – the first truly synthetic and moldable plastic. It is a polymer made by combining formaldehyde and phenol (carbolic acid from coal tar) under pressure.
The picture on the right is a beautiful Bakelite radio in the Science Museum collection
https://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co10394/walnut-bakelite-radio-with-ivory-phenolic-knobs
l (carbolic acid from coal tar) under pressure.
The timeline for plastics. Compared to materials that mankind has been using for thousands of year plastic is relatively new (wood, metal, paper, glass).
What’s good about plastics? It has all these great qualities. The pictures show a range of uses that we take for granted, that would be hard to achieve with any other material. Within the main types, there are thousands of variants.
Question – what is the object in the middle of slide 7?
Answer- the first artificial heart valve
What’s bad about plastic is same list – the cheapness makes it, in many applications, very disposable – but the durability means that small bits of plastic are a litter problem. Plastic can be recycled, but the variety means that getting critical mass for any one type of plastic is time consuming and expensive, so it is cheaper to buy new. So there is a divide between long-lived products – wind turbine blades, water pipes – that might stay in place for years, and the way we use plastics in packaging and other short-lived applications.
That is why a lot of the imagery around plastics is negative, showing litter and pollution.
This graphic is from Green Alliance work on ocean plastics. The main message is that plastic in the sea has many different sources, but the majority ends up on the ocean floor and we have no idea about the long-term consequences. There is a parallel graphic on the Green Alliance website showing solutions.
https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2017/08/04/five-simple-solutions-to-michael-goves-plastic-problem/
One way to consider the future is to ask ourselves how plastics fit into a more ‘circular economy’.
This wrap diagram makes clear that every part of the consumption system has a role.
http://www.wrap.org.uk/about-us/about/wrap-and-circular-economy
The Green Alliance diagram adds some detail about where the most loss of materials occurs, and shows the levels of benefits from different strategies – so reuse keeps the most materials in play.
This articulation from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) shows the same principles, but elaborates the concept to show two cycles – organic and technical (ie. man-made materials). So might plastics be able to fit into either or both of these? Ideally, on the left hand side, materials that come from the land – bio-feedstocks for plastics – and degrade so they can go back to the land; and/or on the left hand side, man-made materials that can be easily recovered and recycled, multiple times. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/interactive-diagram
So recovery – how are we doing with that?
The chart on the left shows EU countries recycling. The chart on the right shows growing plastic demand. So we can see that unless we do better, there will be a growing gap between use and recovery.
http://www.plasticseurope.org/documents/document/20161014113313-plastics_the_facts_2016_final_version.pdf
(We are talking about post-consumer plastic, a lot of which is packaging, as it is hard to get good figures for industrial/non-household plastic recycling).
The answer is less that 30% - so we’re not doing that well….
This picture from WRAP’s campaign ‘Recycle Now’ illustrates the difficulty – varied, mixed plastics that are often assumed by consumers to be not recyclable at all.
And if we look at plastic packaging alone, we can see from this WRAP flow chart, that we are not doing that well at recycling it.
Some retailers thinking along these lines – simplification of the number of plastics in use for would help, but is not whole story..
Improving recovery is likely to involve a mixture of improvements in the systems we have, starting with consistent messaging to consumers about what materials can be recycled, and which containers to put them in.
But if we go back to our two loops – what about making plastics part of the organics loop?
To do that, plastics would have to be not just bio-derived, so feed stocks from grown materials, but also bio-degradable – it is possible to have bio-derived polymers that are recyclable but not biodegradable. Need to be both to fulfil that left-hand side of the system.
Could bio-degradable plastics solve the marine litter problem? UNEP had a look at the issue in this report.
Unfortunately, at present, it appears not – temperatures are too low.
What about biodegradable plastic as a solution to packaging, especially small bits? (and of course hoping that we can organise ourselves to collect it before it reaches the sea).
Green Alliance did some thinking on this back in 2010– we referred to ‘compostable’ plastic because the point of it being biodegradable is to be able to use composting as a waste treatment option.
Our conclusion was that yes, could have a role, but quite complex to get it to work, so these bullet points set out some conditions.
And this flow chart illustrates the thought process for considering whether biodegradable plastic might be suitable in any given packaging application.
We found that the materials were available, and retailers prepared to consider specifying it, but those on the end of the process - the waste treatment industry, ie. Those doing composting - were very unenthusiastic. They feared that it either wouldn’t work (the picture shows some supposedly compostable cutlery not having composted), or that they would get non-compostable plastics by mistake and have to spend money getting those out.
http://www.waste360.com/plastics/bioplastics-burden
And WRAP, as an expert adviser to government on these issues, concluded that there are some major gaps in knowledge here.
And so at present, compostable agricultural film one of few applications considered a good potential use
http://sustainingourworld.com/2016/05/04/bioplastics-potential-solution-to-plastic-pollution/
So where do we take plastics in future?
Green Alliance did some renewed thinking on the topic of ‘novel materials’, including bioplastics for this report, published in 2017. http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/circular_economy_novel_materials.php
(And IES did a special edition of the journal as part of this work in March 2015)
https://www.the-ies.org/resources/new-materials-and-circular-economy
The report identified a group of bioplastics that are at various stages of commercial development, thanks to their in-life or end-of-life advantages. The table below sets out these plastics and provides a crude analysis of how well they perform against our analysis of how bioplastics can contribute to a circular economy. This might be by making it easy to take the polymers back to monomers (a more flexible material with potentially more of a market); by utilising feedstocks from bio-wastes such as crop residue, thus avoiding competition with crops for scarce land; or by being biodegradable.
Finally, this slide gives what I feel are some of the key research questions, but I’m sure participants will have others.