Chloe Zhang
Plastic is everywhere. It is used across almost every sector, from packaging and construction to textiles, electronics, and transportation. Humans have benefited from the use of polymers, which make up plastics, since approximately 1600 BC when the ancient Mesoamericans first processed natural rubber. The development of modern plastics expanded in the first half of the twentieth century, and today, there are numerous applications for plastics. For example, polyethylene, the most common plastic on Earth, is used in a wide variety of products due to its varying densities, which give it unique physical properties. The term 'plastic' comes from the Greek 'plastikos' and the Latin 'plasticus', meaning 'fit for moulding' or 'capable of being moulded into various forms'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Generic name for certain synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that can be moulded or extruded into objects or films or filaments |
| Composition | Polymers formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur atoms |
| Examples | Beach balls, lawn chairs, grocery bags, Barbie dolls, Lego blocks, credit cards, DVDs, sunglasses, car parts, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, halogenated plastics, Bakelite, polystyrene, phenol-furfural resins, etc. |
| Properties | Lightweight, durable, flexible, non-toxic, inexpensive to produce, shatter-resistant, impact-resistant, etc. |
| Uses | Toys, car bodies, coatings, adhesives, electric insulators, telephone receivers, optical devices, packaging, etc. |
| Production | Derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, or renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats and oils |
| Environmental Impact | Not all plastic is recyclable; bioplastics like PLA are biodegradable but may not degrade in all climates |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded into solid shapes
- Plastic is derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, or renewable products
- Plastic is used in many everyday objects, from toys to credit cards
- There are hundreds of types of plastic, each with unique properties
- Plastic can be recycled, upcycled, or pose health hazards
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded into solid shapes
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". However, it was after World War I that new forms of plastics began to emerge, with mass production beginning in the 1940s and 1950s. Today, most plastic is derived from the extraction and refinement of crude oil and natural gas, which are then converted into useful chemicals, including monomers.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical structure of the polymer's backbone and side chains. Important groups classified in this way include acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics. Polyester, for example, can be crystalline or semi-crystalline in molecular structure, giving it a melting point and one or more glass transitions. Polycarbonate is another example of an engineering plastic that is tough, stable, transparent, and 250 times stronger than glass.
The adaptability of plastics, combined with their other properties, such as being lightweight, durable, flexible, non-toxic, and inexpensive to produce, has led to their widespread use around the world. They can be moulded into various solid shapes, such as toys, lawn chairs, and grocery bags, through processes like injection moulding, blow moulding, rotational moulding, and casting.
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Plastic is derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, or renewable products
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded when soft and formed into a solid shape. It is a generic name for certain synthetic or semi-synthetic materials that can be moulded or extruded into objects or films or filaments. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics".
Plastics are usually derived from natural gas and petroleum, with a small fraction derived from renewable materials. Natural gas and petroleum are fossil fuels, and over 99% of plastic is made from chemicals sourced from fossil fuels. The fossil fuel industry and the plastic industry are deeply intertwined. The shale gas boom in the United States, for example, has led to a massive expansion of plastic infrastructure.
The raw materials for plastic are largely crude oil and natural gas, but also coal and other fossil fuels. The extraction of these raw materials is the first step in the process of making plastic. The raw materials are a complex mixture of thousands of compounds that need to be processed. The refining process transforms crude oil into different petroleum products, which are then converted to yield useful chemicals, including "monomers". Monomers are molecules that are the basic building blocks of polymers. In the refining process, crude oil is heated in a furnace and sent to the distillation unit, where heavy crude oil separates into lighter components called fractions. One of these, called naphtha, is a crucial compound for making plastic.
Polymers are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur atoms. These chains comprise many repeating units formed from monomers. Each polymer chain consists of several thousand repeating units. The backbone is the part of the chain that links together a large number of repeat units. To customise the properties of a plastic, different molecular groups called side chains hang from this backbone. They are usually attached to the monomers before the monomers themselves are linked together to form the polymer chain. The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer.
Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal. Bio-based plastics, on the other hand, come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, starch, vegetable fats and oils, bacteria, and other biological substances. The vast majority of plastic in use today is synthetic due to the ease of manufacturing methods involved in processing crude oil. However, the growing demand for limited oil reserves is driving the need for newer plastics from renewable resources.
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Plastic is used in many everyday objects, from toys to credit cards
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded when soft and formed into a solid shape. Its adaptability, combined with its lightweight, durable, flexible, nontoxic, and inexpensive nature, has led to its widespread use in everyday objects.
Plastic is used in the production of toys, such as Barbie dolls and Lego blocks, as well as in beach balls, lawn chairs, and grocery bags. One of the earliest examples of plastic polymers was polyvinyl chloride, first created in 1872 but commercially produced in the late 1920s.
Credit cards are also commonly made of plastic. They are used for cashless payments and act as evidence of a person's credit rating. Plastic is further utilised in the creation of synthetic sponges, which are designed for kitchen and bathroom use, offering durability and absorbency. These sponges can be made from different types of plastic, such as polyurethane or polyester, each serving distinct purposes.
Additionally, plastic is prevalent in disposable coffee cups, paper coffee filters, and paper plates. It is added to make these items stronger, water-resistant, and non-stick. Plastic is also used in packaging, such as Tetra Paks, which are commonly used for milk, juice, and tomato sauce. These cartons are made from paperboard, aluminium, and polyethylene plastic, contributing to their challenging recyclability.
The versatility of plastic has led to its integration into various everyday objects, from recreational items to financial tools and household commodities. However, the widespread presence of plastic in our daily lives also underscores the importance of conscious consumption and eco-friendly alternatives.
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$32.99
There are hundreds of types of plastic, each with unique properties
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded when soft and formed into solid shapes. It is a broad term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials that use polymers as their main ingredient. The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics".
There are indeed hundreds of types of plastic, each with unique properties. Plastic is not sold as a pure substance but is mixed with various chemicals and other materials, known as additives, during the compounding stage. These additives include stabilizers, plasticizers, and dyes, which improve the lifespan, workability, or appearance of the final item. Different types of plastics are customized by attaching different molecular groups called side chains to the backbone of the polymer chain. The structure of these side chains influences the properties of the polymer.
The different types of plastics can be categorized by their chemical structure, with important groups including acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics. Polyesters, for example, are commonly used in food packaging and fabrics. Polyurethanes, on the other hand, are versatile and used in a variety of applications, including adhesives and foams, but they lack Resin Identification Codes (RICs) due to their diverse formulations.
Some of the most common types of plastic include PET, which is used in beverage bottles, food jars, and polyester clothing; polystyrene, which is used in beverage cups, insulation, packing materials, and disposable dinnerware; and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used in a wide range of products, including pipes, electrical cable insulation, and credit cards.
The variety of plastics allows for their widespread use, with different types suited to different applications. However, the complexity of plastic types also contributes to the challenges of recycling and understanding the health factors associated with their use.
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Plastic can be recycled, upcycled, or pose health hazards
Plastic is a synthetic material that can be moulded when soft and formed into a solid shape. It is one of the most preferred materials in the industrial world due to its adaptability and properties such as being lightweight, durable, flexible, non-toxic, and inexpensive to produce. However, plastic waste can pose serious threats to the environment and human health.
The vast majority of plastics are derived from natural gas and petroleum, with a small fraction coming from renewable materials. The world's first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907, and mass production began in the 1940s and 1950s. Since then, plastic has become ubiquitous, appearing in everything from toys and lawn chairs to grocery bags and medical devices.
The negative environmental and health impacts of plastic have led to a growing movement to reduce, recycle, or upcycle plastic products. Plastic waste can be dealt with in three main ways: incineration, burial, or recycling. Incineration, or burning, plastic waste can generate energy, but it also releases toxic gases and particles that can be harmful to human health and the environment. Burial, or landfilling, plastic waste is generally considered benign due to the chemically inert nature of plastics. However, plastics can constitute a significant proportion of municipal waste, and their non-biodegradable nature means they can consume a disproportionate amount of landfill space over time.
Recycling plastic involves collecting, sorting, reclaiming, and processing plastic waste into new products. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most commonly recycled plastics, can be turned into polyester fabric, automotive parts, and more. However, recycling plastic can be labour-intensive and expensive, and the mechanical recycling process can accelerate the release of additives and toxins into the environment. Despite these challenges, recycling plastic is an important step in reducing its environmental footprint.
In addition to recycling, upcycling plastic waste is another creative way to give plastic products a new life. Upcycling involves transforming waste plastic into new products or materials of higher quality or value. For example, plastic bottles can be cut and repurposed into creative lighting fixtures or used to create eco-friendly clothing and accessories. By reducing plastic waste and giving it a new purpose, upcycling can help mitigate the environmental and health hazards associated with plastic pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three basic categories of plastics: thermoplastics, elastomers, and duromers. Thermoplastics soften quickly when heated and can be moulded into any form. Elastomers are rubbery plastics that tend to return to their original form when stretched. Duromers are hard plastics that are difficult to melt. There are also several well-known types of plastics, including:
- Polycarbonate
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Polyester
- Polyamide
- Teflon
- Silicone
Plastics are polymers, which are made by linking chains of molecules (monomers) to create a large molecule (polymer). An example of this is polystyrene. The term 'plastic' comes from the Greek 'plastikos' and the Latin 'plasticus', meaning 'fit for moulding' or 'capable of being moulded into various forms'.
Plastic is used across almost every sector, including packaging, building and construction, textiles, consumer products, transportation, electrical and electronics, and industrial machinery. Plastics are also used in medicine, sports, and the toy industry.
Yes, plastic can be recycled. However, the overall amount of recycled plastics is relatively small. In 2018, the recycling rate for PET bottles and jars was 29.1%, and the rate for HDPE natural bottles was 29.3%. Plastic can also be produced from CO2 and renewable raw materials.
