Chloe Zhang
Plastic is a term used to describe any synthetic polymer generated from fossil fuels. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. However, there are non-synthetic plastics, also known as bio-based plastics, which come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances. The first synthetic plastic was Bakelite, made from phenol and formaldehyde resin by Leo Baekeland in 1907. Today, the vast majority of plastics in use are synthetic, but there is a growing demand for non-synthetic plastics due to the limited oil reserves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Synthetic plastic is a term used to describe any synthetic polymer generated from fossil fuels. |
| Other Names | Synthetic plastic is also referred to as "biobased plastic" or "petroleum-based carbon". |
| Composition | Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, or silica. |
| Examples | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), High-density polyethylene (HDPE), Polyurethane (PU), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Bakelite. |
| Properties | Synthetic plastics are lightweight, durable, cost-efficient, and versatile. |
| Advantages | Synthetic plastics are easy to manufacture, have a wide range of applications, and are biocompatible. |
| Disadvantages | Synthetic plastics pose environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradability and pollution risk. |
| Alternatives | Bio-based plastics derived from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances. |
| Degradation | Synthetic plastics can be degraded by microbial and/or enzymatic means to be recycled or mineralized into carbon dioxide, water, and new biomass. |
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What You'll Learn
- Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal
- Biobased plastics come from renewable products like carbohydrates, starch, and vegetable fats
- Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic, invented in 1906/1907
- Silicone is a plastic alternative, derived from silica (sand)
- Plastic resins are divided into seven categories to facilitate recycling
Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal
Plastic can be categorised as either 'synthetic' or 'biobased'. Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Crude oil, natural gas, and coal are composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen, and other minerals. The generally accepted theory is that these fossil fuels are formed from the remains of living organisms called planktons (tiny plants and animals) that existed during the Jurassic era. Over time, these organisms were buried deeper beneath the heavy layers of the Earth's mantle, where they were subjected to immense heat and pressure, causing them to decompose without oxygen and transform into the fossil fuels we extract today.
The process of creating synthetic plastics begins with the extraction of these raw materials, which are then refined and processed. Crude oil, for example, undergoes a distillation process in an oil refinery, separating it into lighter components called fractions. One of these fractions, naphtha, is particularly important in plastic production. The next step is polymerisation, where light olefin gases (gasoline) such as ethylene, propylene, and butylene (monomers) are converted into higher molecular weight hydrocarbons (polymers).
The birth of the modern plastics era is often attributed to the invention of Bakelite by Belgian-born American Leo Baekeland in 1907. Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic, derived from phenol (an acid derived from coal tar) and formaldehyde resin. It revolutionised industries with its high resistance to electricity, heat, and chemicals, as well as its non-conducting properties, making it ideal for electronic device casings. The development of Bakelite opened the door to a wave of now-familiar synthetic plastics, including polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polythene, and nylon.
While synthetic plastics have brought about transformative changes, their longevity and resistance to degradation by organisms have also presented significant environmental challenges. The majority of plastic in use today is synthetic due to the ease of manufacturing methods associated with processing crude oil. However, the limited nature of oil reserves and the growing demand for renewable resources are driving the search for alternative feedstocks, such as waste biomass or animal-waste products.
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Biobased plastics come from renewable products like carbohydrates, starch, and vegetable fats
Plastic can be categorised as either 'synthetic' or 'biobased'. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Biobased plastics, on the other hand, are derived from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, and other biological substances.
Biobased plastics are made from renewable resources, including biomass, bacteria, and waste biomass or animal waste products. The use of biomass in the production of biobased plastics is important, as products made from biomass have a high level of carbon-14, which is formed when cosmic rays collide with particles in the atmosphere. This carbon-14 is used by plants in photosynthesis, and over time, these plants can be turned into fossil fuels. However, biobased plastics are not always biodegradable or compostable.
Biobased plastics have the potential to be more environmentally friendly than their synthetic counterparts. They can have a lower carbon footprint, and they can be recycled or reused. However, there are trade-offs to consider, such as negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear end-of-life management, and higher costs.
The development of biobased plastics is becoming increasingly important as the demand for oil reserves increases. In the future, as oil prices continue to rise, the production of biobased plastics through industrial biotechnology may become a more attractive option.
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Bakelite was the first synthetic plastic, invented in 1906/1907
Plastic is derived from organic polymers, which are synthetic or natural substances of high molecular weight. Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal. On the other hand, biobased plastics are derived from renewable sources such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, and other biological substances.
Bakelite, invented in 1906/1907, was the first synthetic plastic. It was created by Belgian-born American Leo Baekeland, who named it after himself and the heat-curing process it required. Baekeland's creation of Bakelite was a significant milestone, revolutionizing various industries and marking the birth of the modern plastics era.
Bakelite is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, a hard, moldable material produced by combining phenol and formaldehyde under controlled temperature and pressure. Baekeland recognized the potential of these resins, as earlier experiments by German chemist Adolf von Baeyer had resulted in a hard, insoluble material that ruined his laboratory equipment. Baekeland's innovation with Bakelite lay in his ability to control the process, creating a moldable material with numerous applications.
Bakelite's unique properties, including its high resistance to electricity, heat, and chemicals, made it ideal for electrical insulation and mass production. It could be quickly molded into various shapes, making it superior to materials like celluloid. By 1910, Baekeland had established a company to manufacture and market Bakelite, and it was soon used in a diverse range of products, from electrical insulators to telephone casings.
The development of Bakelite as the first synthetic plastic had a profound impact, heralding an era of synthetic materials. It sparked the creation of numerous other synthetic plastics and led to a world where synthetic materials are ubiquitous, from medical implants to everyday items.
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Silicone is a plastic alternative, derived from silica (sand)
Plastic is derived from organic polymers, which can be either synthetic or natural. Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels, such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal. The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Belgian-born American Leo Baekeland. It was derived from phenol, an acid that came from coal tar.
Silicone is a plastic alternative. It is a non-toxic polymer derived from silica (SiO2), which is found in sand. Silicone is made by combining silicon, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is highly durable, able to withstand extreme fluctuations in temperature, and is stain-resistant, odour-resistant, and hypoallergenic.
Silicone is safer for human health than plastic, which often contains estrogen-mimicking chemicals like bisphenol-A (BPA). These chemicals have been linked to a wide array of health problems. When plastic is lost in the environment, it breaks down into micro-fragments, contaminating the ecosystem. These microplastics are often consumed by wildlife, blocking their digestive systems and leading to death.
While silicone is a better alternative than plastic, it is not without its environmental concerns. Silicone has a very low recyclability rate and is non-biodegradable. However, when disposed of in a landfill for incineration, silicone turns into inorganic, harmless ingredients: amorphous silica, carbon dioxide, and water vapour.
To summarise, silicone is a valuable alternative to plastic due to its durability, temperature resistance, and safety for human health. However, its non-biodegradability and low recyclability present challenges that must be addressed to fully realise its potential as a sustainable alternative.
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Plastic resins are divided into seven categories to facilitate recycling
Plastic is derived from organic polymers, which can be either synthetic or natural. Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels, such as crude oil, natural gas, or coal, while biobased plastics are made from renewable sources like carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats, and oils. The first synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Belgian-born American Leo Baekeland.
To facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics, the Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system in 1988, dividing plastic resins into seven categories. The RIC has since become the worldwide standard for plastic classification. The seven types of plastic are:
- PET (polyethylene terephthalate): One of the most commonly used plastics globally, it is primarily used for food and beverage packaging due to its ability to prevent oxygen from seeping in. PET bottles and jars have a relatively high recycling rate, at 29.1% in 2018.
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): This type of plastic is known for its strength and thickness, making it ideal for grocery bags, milk jugs, and recycling bins. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centers worldwide.
- LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Characterized by low-density molecules, LDPE has a thinner and more flexible design. It is commonly used for plastic bags, containers, dispensing bottles, and plastic wraps. However, it is not often recycled through curbside programs.
- Polypropylene: This is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic, known for its hardness and sturdiness. It is used in a variety of products, including Tupperware, car parts, thermal vests, yogurt containers, and disposable diapers.
- Polystyrene (PS): Also known by its commercial name, Styrofoam, polystyrene is an inexpensive and easily produced resin. It is found in drinks cups, insulation, and packing materials. However, it breaks effortlessly, making it harmful to the environment, and it is not widely accepted by recycling programs.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer and comes in rigid and flexible forms. In its rigid form, it is commonly used in the building and construction industry for pipes and door and window profiles.
- Polycarbonates (PC): If a plastic cannot be identified as one of the above six types, it is categorized as group number seven. Polycarbonates are used to create strong, tough products like lenses for eye protection, mobile phones, and compact discs. However, their use has been controversial due to the leaching of bisphenol A (BPA) at high temperatures, which is a potential environmental hazard.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastics can be synthetic or biobased. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas or coal. Biobased plastics are made from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria and other biological substances.
Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) and bio-PET are plant-derived, carbon-based polymers. They are considered plastic based on scientific definitions. However, some people may not consider them plastics because carbon is derived from a renewable resource.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and High-density polyethylene (HDPE) are all examples of petroleum-derived, carbon-based polymers.
Synthetic plastics are derived from fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources. The growing demand for limited oil reserves is driving the need for newer plastics from renewable resources. Biobased plastics are more sustainable and biodegradable.
