The Plastic In Your Wallet: Credit Card Composition

Plastic is now a part of almost every element of modern life. A recent study estimated that people could be consuming up to 5 grams of plastic a week, which is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This issue of plastic consumption has raised concerns about its potential health consequences. While the American Chemistry Council disputes the idea that we consume a credit card's worth of plastic weekly, the discussion highlights the growing problem of plastic pollution and its impact on the environment and human health.

Plastic consumption and its health consequences

Plastic consumption has become an integral part of modern life, from food packaging to healthcare, construction materials, and electronics. However, the ubiquitous presence of plastic poses significant risks to human health and the environment. The average person may be ingesting approximately 5 grams of plastic weekly, equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This plastic consumption has severe health consequences, including the ingestion of toxic chemical additives and pollutants that can lead to diseases, disabilities, and premature death.

The toxic chemicals found in plastics, such as carcinogens, can cause endocrine disruption, affecting hormone activity and leading to reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. These toxic additives persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in organisms, further exacerbating their impact. Plastic pollution also extends to the food chain, with microplastics found in human placentas, livers, and kidneys, potentially causing developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.

The production and disposal of plastics contribute to climate change and air emissions. The annual emissions related to plastic production in the EU, for example, contribute around 20% of the chemicals industry's emissions. Additionally, the durability of plastics means that discarded items remain in the environment for generations, leading to littering, leaching of toxic components, and the contamination of ecosystems.

To address these issues, organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have suggested government bans on single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags and microbeads. The European Union's Zero Pollution Action Plan also aims to reduce plastic litter in the sea and microplastics released into the environment. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, more comprehensive solutions are needed to tackle the global plastic crisis and mitigate its health and environmental impacts.

Plastic in water, air, and food

Plastic is everywhere, and it is no surprise that it is present in water, air, and food.

Water

A recent study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed the presence of micro- and nanoplastics in bottled water. Researchers developed an imaging technique using lasers to detect thousands of tiny plastic particles, some as small as less than 1 μm in size. These particles are invisible to the naked eye and small enough to enter the body's cells and tissues. The study found that a liter of bottled water contained about 240,000 plastic pieces, with 90% being nanoplastics. The most common type of plastic found was polyamide, a nylon used for water purification, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is used in water bottles.

Air

Microplastics are also present in the air we breathe. These tiny plastic particles come from everyday objects and are carried by natural forces like rain and snow. Due to the lack of comprehensive research, there is no single dataset that determines how plastics behave in different weather patterns. However, studies have detected microplastics in urban, rural, and remote areas, indicating their widespread presence in the atmosphere.

Food

Plastic chemicals, such as plasticizers (phthalates) and bisphenols (BPA), have been found in various foods. These chemicals can enter our food through packaging, processing equipment, and contaminated water or soil. Growing research shows that these chemicals are endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone production and regulation. While there are no confirmed safe levels of these chemicals, lower levels are generally considered better. The constant exposure to these chemicals means they enter our systems as quickly as they are eliminated, and their harmful effects may be cumulative, increasing health risks over time.

The presence of plastic in our water, air, and food highlights the importance of reducing plastic production and usage to minimize its impact on our health and the environment.

Plastic in the environment

Plastic is now an integral part of modern life, from electronics to medical equipment. However, the production and disposal of plastic items have significant environmental repercussions. This is especially true for single-use plastics, which make up more than a third of all plastic used for packaging. Unfortunately, only about 9% of plastic is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills or being incinerated, contributing to air and soil pollution and harming wildlife.

Credit cards are a prime example of single-use plastics with a short lifespan that contribute to this growing environmental problem. Made predominantly of PVC, a single credit card weighs about 5 grams, but with billions in circulation, the amount of plastic produced and wasted is substantial. The toxic chemicals used in their production pose risks throughout the card's lifecycle, from manufacturing to disposal, ultimately seeping into the environment and even our bodies.

To address this issue, some card issuers and financial institutions are transitioning to recycled plastic cards or cards made from alternative materials like sugar, corn, recycled PET, or coffee grounds. These cards are often linked to more responsible investments, such as sustainable energy sources. Additionally, digital wallets and cards are being offered as a more environmentally friendly alternative to physical cards, reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions from postage.

While these efforts are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic credit cards. Proper production practices and sustainable materials can help minimise chemical contamination during manufacturing, and extending the lifespan of cards can reduce their environmental footprint. However, the most sustainable practice is to produce fewer cards and focus on recycling and reusing expired cards.

Individuals also have a role in reducing plastic waste. Moving away from a throwaway culture and supporting companies that prioritise environmental sustainability can create a collective impact. By working together, we can solve this pressing issue within our generation.

Plastic in medical equipment

Plastic is now an integral part of modern life, from everyday objects to medical equipment. A study found that people could be ingesting 5 grams of plastic, equivalent to the weight of a credit card, every week. This issue of plastic ingestion highlights the urgency of addressing plastic pollution and its impact on human health and the environment.

Medical plastic products have become increasingly advanced and vital in the healthcare system. Plastics are used for their high performance, lightweight characteristics, and lower costs. Medical-grade plastic materials, such as thermoplastics, are essential for patient safety and must meet regulatory requirements globally. These plastics offer biocompatibility, durability, and resistance to temperature, impact, and corrosion.

Thermoplastics, a type of synthetic polymer, are commonly used in medical devices due to their ability to be remoulded without degradation. They can withstand repeated sterilization cycles and are ideal for custom plastic injection moulding. Specific types of thermoplastics, such as ABS and polypropylene, are used for 3D printing and manufacturing medical devices like tracheal tubes, sutures, syringes, and prostheses.

Polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polymer, is valued for its impact and thermal resistance, toughness, UV protection, and electrical and optical properties. Its natural transparency makes it a suitable alternative to glass in medical devices. Polyethylene, or polythene, is another cost-effective plastic used in surgical implants, maintaining structural integrity during sterilization processes.

In addition to these plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used in disposable medical devices like cardiac catheters and blood bags. Polyamide, also known as nylon, serves as a weaker metal alternative due to its strength, temperature resilience, and chemical resistance. It is suitable for CNC machining, injection moulding, and 3D printing. These plastics are used in a wide range of medical applications, including surgical instruments, catheters, implants, and disposables.

Plastic recycling

Plastic is now an integral part of modern life, with applications in a wide range of industries, including healthcare. However, the plastic boom, which began during World War II, has had detrimental effects on the environment, with plastic pollution damaging ecosystems and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products, and it can play a crucial role in mitigating these negative impacts.

Recycling plastic can reduce our dependence on landfills, conserve resources, and protect the environment from pollution. However, plastic recycling rates lag behind those of other materials such as aluminium, glass, and paper. From the start of plastic production up to 2015, only 9% of the world's 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste had been recycled, with only 1% recycled more than once. The remaining waste was incinerated, sent to landfills, or ended up polluting the environment.

The process of plastic recycling typically involves melting and reforming plastic into new items. This can cause polymer degradation at the molecular level and requires careful sorting of plastic by colour and polymer type, which can be challenging and costly. Feedstock recycling is another method, where waste plastic is converted into its starting chemicals to create fresh plastic, but this process demands higher energy and capital costs. Additionally, burning plastic in energy recovery facilities or biochemically converting it into other useful chemicals are also options.

Despite the environmental benefits of recycling, it is important to note that reduction and reuse are more favourable long-term solutions for sustainability. The plastic industry has faced criticism for lobbying for recycling programmes, even when research indicated that most plastic could not be economically recycled. This has resulted in instances where plastic dropped into recycling bins was ultimately treated as general waste. Nevertheless, recycling efforts have expanded, with organisations like CalRecycle working to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic to build a circular economy.

While plastic recycling is important, it is crucial to prioritise reducing plastic consumption and reusing plastic items as much as possible. This can be achieved through individual actions, such as reducing the use of single-use plastics and properly disposing of plastic waste, as well as through industry and government initiatives to develop sustainable alternatives and improve recycling technologies.

Frequently asked questions