Chloe Zhang
Little plastic things can be found everywhere, from the tags on new clothes to small toys and household items. They can be challenging to recycle due to their size, and people often wonder how to dispose of them properly. These small plastic items, such as bottle caps, cosmetic tubes, and those pesky plastic connectors on new clothing, have specific disposal methods to ensure they don't end up in the trash. With the help of online communities and forums, people can identify mysterious little plastic objects and learn about proper recycling techniques for these tiny items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Used for | Attaching things to other things, e.g. tags to new clothes, or keeping two socks together |
| Names | Plastic fasteners, plastic barbs, swift tachers |
| Difficulty | Hard to break or remove |
| Recycling | Smaller items can be recycled at a Hard Plastics station at the Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic fasteners on clothes
Plastic fasteners are commonly used on clothes, especially new clothes, to attach the tag that mentions the size. These plastic fasteners are also known as T-end fasteners due to their T shape. They are also sometimes referred to as snap fasteners, which are available in plastic and metal. Snap fasteners have been used since 210 B.C. and were developed for the Chinese Terracotta Army for saddles. The modern version was invented in Germany in 1885 and later became popular in the US for Western wear. They are commonly used as an alternative to buttons and for decorative purposes.
T-end fasteners can be removed from fabric by cutting the plastic. However, it is advised not to use good scissors for this purpose. Plastic snap fasteners can be easily installed with the help of pliers and other tools. They are available in multiple colours and are commonly used for home sewing, on baby items, and in other household craft projects.
Magnetic snap fasteners are a more modern version of plastic snap fasteners. They use simple magnetic force to keep something closed and are commonly used on purses and bags. These fasteners consist of two backing washers and pronged snap and socket ("male" and "female") parts. Round and square hidden snap fasteners can be added anywhere to ensure a tight, hidden closure without any special equipment.
Gypsy snap fasteners are another type of fabric fastener that consists of three pieces instead of the usual four. The top of the snap has a two-part cover, and the third piece consists of a Phillips screw that is fastened into wood or other surfaces to allow the fabric to be snapped on and attached.
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Plastic barbs
Nylon hose barb fittings are commonly used in pneumatic operations and agricultural applications. They are resistant to various chemicals, including ammonium compounds, detergents, diesel fuel, and ethanol. This makes them suitable for farming projects and an excellent alternative to metal fittings.
Parker's Par-Barb fittings, for example, are made from high-strength chemically inert white nylon and black polypropylene materials. They are available in a range of sizes and can be used with different types of tubing and hoses. These plastic barbs are FDA and NSF-51 compliant, ensuring safety for food contact.
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Plastic in recycling
Plastic recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into other products. Recycling plastic waste can reduce dependence on landfills, conserve resources, and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, plastic recycling has been a contentious issue, with the oil industry being accused of touting recycling to sell more plastic.
Despite decades of recycling advocacy and technological advancements, less than 10% of plastic has been recycled. From the start of plastic production up to 2015, approximately 6.3 billion tons of plastic waste were generated, with only 9% recycled and only 1% recycled more than once. The remaining waste was either incinerated, sent to landfills, or ended up polluting the environment.
The recycling process for plastic typically involves melting and reforming it into new items. However, this can cause polymer degradation, and sorting plastic waste by colour and polymer type is often challenging and costly. Errors in the process can result in material with inconsistent properties, making it less desirable for industrial use.
Additionally, the plastics industry has faced criticism for lobbying for the expansion of recycling programs, even when research indicated that most plastic could not be economically recycled. For instance, in the 1970s, the plastics industry in the United States lobbied for plastic recycling and ran expensive campaigns promoting the idea that plastic could and would be recycled. However, at that time, plastic could not be economically recycled with the available technology.
Despite these challenges, recycling plastic is still important. To ensure your plastic is recycled, check with your local recycling centre about specific guidelines and recommendations. Some centres may have drop-off stations for small plastic items, such as cosmetic tubes and lids, that are smaller than a credit card.
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Plastic in cosmetics
The use of microplastics in cosmetics has been a growing environmental concern. As microplastics are non-biodegradable, they accumulate and fragment into smaller particles over time, leading to plastic pollution in natural ecosystems, termed the 'plastisphere'. This pollution can be found anywhere, from deep ocean trenches to landfills. Despite scientific evidence of the damage caused by microplastics, their use continues due to their low cost and the popularity of plastic.
Some cosmetic companies, like L'Oréal, have started to address this issue by reformulating their products to eliminate microplastics. Since 2017, L'Oréal has removed plastic microbeads from its exfoliant and rinse-off products, such as shower gels and shampoos. They are also working on replacing microplastics in other categories, including skincare, sun protection, and makeup products, without compromising product performance.
While a broad-brush ban on microplastics in cosmetics has not been implemented, the EU and U.S. governments are taking steps towards legislation to control the production and use of microplastics in the cosmetics industry. In the meantime, consumers can help protect the environment by choosing natural and biodegradable cosmetics without microplastic ingredients.
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Plastic in appliances
Plastic is an integral part of modern life, and its use in appliances is widespread. Its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness make it a popular choice for manufacturers, and its electrical insulation properties make it ideal for use in electrical appliances.
Plastic is used extensively in the production of appliances, from kitchen gadgets to household appliances. In the kitchen, plastic is found in food processors, toasters, coffee makers, and air fryers. Refrigerators commonly have plastic shelves, trays, and door handles, while ice makers use injection-moulded plastic hoppers. Dishwashers also use plastic extensively, with silverware caddies, dishwasher racks, and sprayer arms often made from plastic.
Washing machines have many plastic components, such as agitators and dials. Modern vacuum cleaners are also largely made from plastic, from outer shells to brush rollers and nozzle attachments. Plastic is also used in bathroom appliances, such as electric razors and toothbrushes, hair dryers, and bathroom scales.
Plastic is used in appliances for several reasons. Firstly, it is flexible and can be moulded into intricate shapes, allowing for greater design flexibility. Secondly, it is durable and can withstand tough conditions, such as high temperatures, moisture, and chemicals. Plastic is also lightweight, reducing the overall weight of appliances, and it is a good insulator, making it ideal for handles on kitchen utensils and apparatuses.
The use of plastic in appliances has some drawbacks. Plastic parts may be less durable than metal ones and more prone to wear and breakage. Additionally, the ubiquity and low cost of plastic have led to a lack of incentive to recycle it, resulting in plastic waste ending up in landfills and littering the environment. However, plastic is recyclable, and advancements in technology have made it possible to recycle a significant percentage of recovered plastics from appliances.
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Frequently asked questions
Those are called plastic fasteners or plastic barbs. They are used to attach things to other things, like keeping two socks together.
Plastic barbs can be difficult to remove and are often separated by cutting them with scissors or biting them off.
Small plastic items, such as bottle caps and cosmetic tubes, can often be recycled at specialized stations, such as the Hard Plastics station at a Recycle & Reuse Drop-off Center. However, items smaller than a credit card may fall through the cracks during the recycling process and get lost or trashed.
A swift tacher is a device similar to a gun that shoots plastic barbs into products to attach them together.
Plastic fasteners are used to keep items together during shipping and display, ensuring that pairs of items remain together and organized.
