Based on their properties, their usage can differ. Let’s talk about how these properties alter the use of different types of plastics.

1. Properties, Uses and Complications of Plastic
Plastic is a type of material that we make by the use of the synthetic or
semi-synthetic organic polymer. Although it is originally in a liquid form,
we can turn it into any desired form by changing it into a solid form with
the help of moulds. There are many different types of plastic that have
several properties. Based on their properties, their usage can differ. Let’s
talk about how these properties alter the use of different types of
plastics. You can also learn more from our online or private tutors.
Plastic
Basically, the word plastic originated from the Greek word “plastikos,”
which roughly translates to mould. So it is a form of liquid polymer
material that can be changed to make anything that is hard and durable
to bring to use for different purposes. A lo t of things we use in our daily

2. life, like a chair, a toy, a cup, a bag, and many more, are made by using
plastic and changing it into different forms and various shapes.
Properties of Plastic
There are some common properties of plastic that can be noted i n all
types of plastics. These properties determine how a certain plastic will
further be used. Here we have talked about some of the main properties
of a plastic-based material.
External Force and Strength
The strength of a certain material is determined when an external force is
applied to it. The point at which the material gives up and falls prey to
the force tells us about the extent of its strength. When it comes to
plastic, it is generally considered a very strong material. Its strength goes
to a greater extent. When it is combined wi th some other material, it is

3. known to gain even more strength. This is the reason plastic is used to
make many things that require durable strength, like a chair, etc.
Conductivity and Insulation
Plastics are not considered good conductors of heat or elec tricity in the
way that they do not let the heat or electricity to pass through them
freely. Due to this, they are more commonly known as insulators because
they offer low thermal conductivity. Unlike metals, plastics do not really
have any free electrons that would allow the free flow of heat or
electricity. This property of insulation in plastic parts can be quite useful.
At a relatively low cost, plastics offer good insulation where required.
Degradation
Degradation of plastic parts is basically the chan ges that occur in it,
whether chemical or physical, after some external factor has affected it
like heat, electricity, moisture, or biological factors. Plastics are known
for their high resistance against these factors; hence they do not degrade
so easily. The plastic produced is not decomposed. As per this property,
the plastic that has been produced since the beginning has never been
decomposed. In the environment, the plastic that has been made can still
be found because it will not be decomposed or degr aded. There might be
some ways like burning it in the earth where it can be attacked by the
bacteria that can lead ti=o its decomposition. Otherwise, it’s not really
possible to decompose plastic.
Colors and Appearance
Originally, the plastics do not have any particular color, and in this way,
they are usually found to be transparent. In order to bring color to them,
a particular pigment is added to the material. This makes the plastic
appear colorful. Many things around us that are made of plastic with

4. different colors were not that colorful originally. It was after the addition
of pigments that the color appeared on the material. With color, plastic
offers good transparency.
Melting point
Plastics usually have a low melting point. Due to this reason, it is
advisable mostly to not use plastics in places where the temperature will
be rather high. The average melting point of plastics is found to be
around 50° C. This is a rather low melting point in contrast to other
materials. Plastics will be burnt if it is placed in a place where the
temperature is higher than this number. Other materials might be
combined with plastic, which can help to increase the resistance of plastic
to higher temperatures.
UV light and weather resistance
Most types of plastics are not very good at resisting the effects of
weather and the UV light rays that are present in the sun. When these
types of plastics are exposed to changing weather conditions or UV rays,
it affects their composition to some extent. On the other hand, some
plastics are chemically stable and have higher resistance to these
conditions. This property of plastic resistance can be increased as well by
combining the plastic with some other materials. Some forms of fillers or
pigments can be added to the material that c an help in absorbing the
effecting light and will not let it have an impact on the plastic.
Uses of Plastics
Plastics are used in our daily lives one way or the other, and the uses are
a lot. Although masses are now trying to raise awareness to lessen the
use of plastic due to its undegradable property as it poses a serious
threat to the environment, the wide use of plastics is still a part of our

5. lives. Let’s talk about some common ways that the use of plastic is
incorporated into everything around us base d on the several properties of
plastic.
Construction Purposes
The durability, strength, low cost, and ability to mould to other shapes
are some reasons that plastic is used as a material at construction sites.
While building a home, bridge, or other sites, plastic is usually added as a
construction material.

6. Automobiles
The use of plastic is constantly increasing the making of automobiles.
Using plastic in the process ensures fuel efficiency in the automobile, and
it also makes it more durable. Plastic in the automotive parts and
aerospace parts makes it quite light in weight. This drop in the weigh t of
the vehicle leads to a comparative drop in the fuel cost as well. This is
why it’s preferable to use plastic in the making of automobiles more often
than other materials.

7. Product packaging
The product packaging using plastic proves to be quite beneficial. If a
product, whether edible or some other, is packaged with plastic, it
ensures optimum quality and makes sure that the product is preserved
rightly. When a product is packaged in plastic, it can be stored for a
longer period of time because the quality of the product can be
maintained. If something is not packaged properly in plastic, then it might
not even stay right during the journey from store to home. Recyclable
containers are also made for it.

8. Electronics
Plastic has great qualities like its strength, flexibility, insulation, and
resistance to other external factors that make it quite a good candidate
for the material as a component in different electrical equipment. The use
of plastics in electronics has brought about an innovative c hange to the
industry because now an upgraded level of high -performance products is
being produced. To improve the quality of the products, many electronics
industries are moving towards the use of plastic as a component in their
products. From electric wires to compact disks many products involve
plastic.

9. Safety and Protection
Currently, many working areas, whether at home or at a working site,
require you to wear safety gear before you go for the task. The safety
gear you are opting for needs to be durable and strong so that it will
provide you with maximum protection if it has to come to an unf ortunate
incident. Gloves, overalls, goggles, safety helmets, and many other safety
and laboratory equipment are being made with the use of plastic to
ensure optimum safety. If the protective gear is not of high quality, then
it will not help in the place where it should remain supportive to make
sure that you are safe.

10. Complications of Using Plastics
Although it’s quite evident by now that plastic has become a great part of
our daily lives. It has taken over so many products that we use and even
replaced many materials. There are surely many good properties of
plastics, like durability, strength, and its abili ty to mould into any given
shape, but the main disadvantage of its use puts a lot of complication.
Yes, the inability to properly dispose off plastic. Here are some main
complications that arise with the use of plastic products and expansion of
plastic industry.

11. Oceans and Marine Life
It is estimated that soon enough, the ocean body will have more plastic
than the marine life that resides there. Outweighing marine life is a
serious life threat for them. Usually, the fishes, turtles, and other marine
animals think of the plastic in oceans as food. They s wallow it thinking
they are having a meal, but the plastic they just ingested, they will not be
able to digest. It will remain in the body, and they will feel like their
stomach is full and they don’t need to eat anymore. In reality, since they
haven’t had any real food, this will lead to starvation, and the animal will
eventually die. As per a rough estimation, more than a million sea animals
lose their lives annually as a result of this increasing plastic content in
the oceans.
Human Health
Even if we try to avoid maximum physical contact with plastic either via
the air or food packaging, we are surrounded by its adverse effects that

12. are gonna get to us. While plastic is being produced or when it is being
used as a component in production, some of its chem icals seep out into
the atmosphere. From there, we inhale and ingest those chemicals. Even if
it’s a newborn baby, everyone becomes a victim of the inhalation effects
of plastic. When it enters the body, it can cause major health problems.
The major health threat is related to the lungs because when plastic goes
to the lungs after inhalation, it is likely to stay there. This can lead to
breathing issues and other lung diseases.
The food we consume is usually packed up in plastic food packaging with
plastic additives. The plastic bottles, wrappers, or containers that have
food or beverage in them add the microplastic remnants to the food that
we then consume. In this way, we ingest the plastic as well.
It can lead to hormonal dysfunctioning, and major exposure to it can even
lead to liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes 2.
Air pollution
The increasing use of plastic is a major cause of air pollution in the
environment. The presence of chlo ride particles in the plastic when they
are decomposed or burnt off leads the atmosphere to be heavily polluted.
Lately, many cities all over the world are encountering the problem. Smog
causes many health issues, and the whole area is polluted with smoke and
fog-like cloud. This is a serious health and environmental threat. Recent
studies have indicated that the major cause of increasing smog in the
world is the chloride particles that come into the environment as a result
of plastic burning or with the chemicals that arise during the production
of plastics.

13. Climate Change
One of the biggest concerns in the world right now is rapid climate
change. This climate change is leading to the melting of glaciers, extreme
weather conditions like heavy heat waves, hu rricanes, catastrophes, and
natural disasters. All the plastic being produced is going to stay forever
with us. This just does not simply end here. The plastic in the
environment creates greenhouse gases that are released in the
environment. These gases are a major cause of increasing climate changes
all over the world. From the extraction of fossil fuels to the
transportation of the product, its usage, and then disposal, the whole
process leads to immense release of greenhouse gases.
Reducing the use of Plastic
Several countries all over the world are currently working on the
reduction of plastic usage in the world. The increasing use of plastic in
different areas of life is quite alarming. In order to handle this situation,
there is a need for a proper plan to m ake sure that we have the right
alternative with the properties of plastics with ways to replace the plastic
efficiently rather than replacing it with something else that might not be
equally effective or could be equally harmful.
Here are some ways that we can work on the reduction of plastic use in
the environment.

14. Enforcement of policies
Firstly, the big organizations and leading personalities of the world need
to brainstorm and form up some practical and workable solutions
regarding the matter so that the solution can be turned into a good
policy. These policies should be practical in a w ay that they shouldn’t be
impossible to follow. They should be brought to the government level and
then to the public level. The policies should be implemented worldwide
because a single country following the notion will not have as much effect
as it would have when the majority of countries of the world are following
it.
The policies can lead us to the solution of managing plastic waste
efficiently and finding alternative materials instead of the use of plastic in
many things around us.

15. Reduce-reuse-recycle
The 3Rs actually have an impact on the current situation of the falling
environments due to the use of plastic. These three Rs are reduce, reuse
and recycle. Let’s talk about how these Rs can help us with this situation.
REDUCE: One of the best ways to m ake an impact is to reduce the amount
of waste you produce by using products that involve plastic like plastic
bags, disposable cups etc. This requires you to be fully aware of what you
are deciding to buy and how you are going to use and waste it. Make su re
to reduce the use of plastic as much as you can and wherever it seems
possible to you,
REUSE: a lot of things that you simply waste and go out to harm the
environment can simply be reused either in the form they are or by simply
modifying them with a bit of creativity. In this way, the already in use
product can be used in another way rather than going out to harm the
environment. For instance, If you have a plastic bag, then go out every
time when you go to buy groceries instead of buying a new on, make
decoration with disposable cups.
RECYCLE: This is one of the best ways to ensure that old materials are
utilized, and new ones are also being made without the production of new
plastic. This process of plastic recycling involves a series of steps that
lead to the formation of a new product by simply composting and altering
the previous one. Companies should consider this process for the safety
of the environment to make sure that they use already wasted products in
such a way that they can make up new ones by mixing with other
chemicals instead of just forming new batches of plastic.

16. Public awareness
The government and relevant organizations need to make sure that they
are raising awareness against the use of plastic and what are the
potential and definite adverse effects of using plastic in our daily lives.
Public service messages should be given by pasting and hanging posters
related to the matter. Professionals should speak at seminars about it.
This should be included in the curriculum as well so that ch ildren can
learn about it from the beginning at the school level. If the public is well
aware of the harmful effects of plastic, the masses together can definitely
make an impact to bring a change and lessen the presence of plastic in
the environment.
Using Alternatives
Maximum efforts should be made to find alternative materials that can be
used instead of using plastic so that its use can be minimized as much as
possible. If there is no other way even researching, then it might be used
for the time being, but it should be ensured that some alternative must
be found. If we are using plastic soda bottles, you can change them with
glass ones. Instead of plastic bags and straws, you can choose to use
paper bags and paper straws. In this way, we can always find alternatives
to be used instead of using plastic.
Conclusion
Plastic is made up of polymers materials. Plastic has many diversified properties that make it
quite useful for many purposes. We use plastic for so many reasons in our daily lives, owing to
its durability, strength, and the way it simply gets moulded to any given shape. There is one
downside of its usage, and that is its inability to dispose off completely by itself. When it
remains in the environment, it causes many environmental issues that are harmful to human
beings.
Do you wish to learn more about how plastic usage can be minimized? Learn about it from
our expert private tutors.