Alexei Volkov
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material that usually comes from petrochemicals or things like cellulose and starch. Plastics are composed primarily of polymers, which are long chains of molecules. Plastics are everywhere today because of their durability, low cost, and ease of production. However, plastic has some major downsides. The biggest issue is that most plastics aren't biodegradable, causing a buildup of pollution that harms wildlife and the environment. Plastic is also hard to recycle and is often burned, creating more pollution. Despite these issues, plastic has revolutionized industries and improved standards of living.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Synthetic or semi-synthetic materials composed primarily of polymers |
| Defining characteristic | Plasticity, which allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms |
| Other characteristics | Low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, low cost, ease of production, non-conductivity, biocompatibility |
| Use cases | Toys, electronics, automotive, packaging, medical devices, riot gear, greenhouses, CDs, sunglasses, computers, cell phones, lifesaving medical devices |
| Environmental impact | Plastic waste causes a buildup of pollution, harming wildlife and the environment; microplastics have been observed in the guts of seabirds and in human organs |
| Recycling | Burning plastic waste is a common method of disposal, but recycling is challenging and often not economically viable |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic's environmental impact
Plastic is a human invention dating back to the late 1800s, with the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, being invented in 1907. Its versatility, durability, and low production cost have made it one of the most widely used materials in modern times. However, plastic pollution has become a significant concern due to its persistence in the environment, with decomposition taking anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years or more.
The environmental impact of plastics is far-reaching. Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in natural and built environments, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. It poses a threat to marine life, with 85% of marine litter from land-based sources being plastic. Marine species are at risk of ingesting plastic, suffocating, or becoming entangled. Over 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments are known to ingest plastics.
Plastics also contribute to climate change and air emissions. The production of plastics in Europe alone amounted to 57.2 million metric tons in 2021, leading to annual emissions of around 13.4 million tons of CO2, or about 20% of the chemicals industry's emissions in the European Union. Global plastic consumption is accelerating, and it is estimated that we will double our current global annual production by 2050.
Microplastics, plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, and nanoplastics, particles smaller than one micrometer, are of particular concern. They are found in every ecosystem on the planet and can contaminate the food chain, eventually ending up in humans with unknown health effects. About 8% of European microplastics released into the oceans come from synthetic textiles, and this figure is estimated to be 16-35% globally.
While plastic production has had benefits, such as preserving scarce natural resources and protecting the natural world from the destructive forces of human need, the environmental, social, economic, and health risks of plastics are significant. The EU's Zero Pollution Action Plan aims to reduce plastic litter at sea and microplastics released into the environment. Specific rules, targets, and guidelines have been implemented to address the issue of plastic pollution and promote a circular and resource-efficient plastics economy.
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Plastic's health impact
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a serious threat to human health and the environment. The impact of plastic on human health is observed throughout its value chain, from production to disposal, with vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant people, and marginalized communities being particularly at risk.
One of the primary concerns regarding plastic pollution is the release of toxic chemicals, which can enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. These toxic chemical additives and pollutants found in plastics have been linked to various adverse health effects, including cancer, congenital disabilities, lung disease, and birth defects. Exposure to these chemicals during manufacturing and through the use of plastic packages or children's toys has also been associated with impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, and developmental and reproductive issues.
Microplastics, which are plastic particles ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, are another significant contributor to the health impacts of plastic pollution. They are formed when larger plastic items break down and can be found in every ecosystem on the planet. Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals, which are then ingested by humans through food, water, and air. Studies have shown that microplastics can damage and kill human cells, leading to cytotoxicity, allergic reactions, and tissue damage. They also act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases.
The long-term effects of plastic pollution on human health are still being studied, but it is clear that plastic poses a serious threat to human health and well-being. The manufacturing and improper disposal of plastic cause respiratory problems for millions worldwide, and the difficulty in removing plastic from the environment once it has entered ecosystems exacerbates the problem. Climate change and extreme weather events further contribute to the health risks associated with plastic pollution.
To mitigate the health impacts of plastic pollution, urgent action is needed to promote plastic substitutes and safe disposal methods. Global efforts, such as the Global Plastics Treaty, aim to end the production and sale of single-use plastics and combat plastic pollution through regulation. By signing petitions and supporting these initiatives, individuals can help raise awareness and reduce the detrimental effects of plastic on human health and the environment.
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Plastic's history
The word "plastic" originally meant "pliable and easily shaped". Plastics are synthetic or semi-synthetic materials composed primarily of polymers, which are large molecules consisting of a chain of repeating smaller molecules (monomers). The process of combining these monomers through heat and pressure is called polymerization.
The development of plastics started with natural materials that exhibited plastic properties, such as shellac, chewing gum, rubber, amber, horn, and tortoiseshell. By heating and moulding these substances, ancient people created a diverse range of objects. The earliest known plastic manipulated by humans is believed to have been latex, used to craft balls and figurines in South America around 1,600 years before the Common Era.
The first synthetic polymer was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt, who treated cellulose derived from cotton fibre with camphor. This plastic could be crafted into a variety of shapes and made to imitate natural substances. However, the earliest incarnation of synthetic plastic was created by Alexander Parkes in 1855, who named his invention Parkesine, derived from plant cellulose. It exhibited characteristics of being both rigid and flexible, water-resistant, opaque, capable of being coloured, and amenable to shaping with tools.
In 1907, Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, the first fully synthetic plastic, meaning it contained no molecules found in nature. This discovery was revolutionary, as for the first time, human manufacturing was not constrained by the limits of nature. Plastics could now protect the natural world from the destructive forces of human need.
The 20th and 21st centuries have been dubbed the Plastics Age, with plastics pervading all aspects of society. Between 1950 and 2017, 9.2 billion metric tons of plastic were produced, with more than half of this amount produced since 2004. In 2023 alone, over 400 million metric tons of plastic were produced worldwide. The primary uses for plastic include packaging (40%) and building and construction (20%).
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Plastic's future
Plastics are here to stay, and they are integral to modern life. They are used in everything from toys and electronics to medical devices and packaging. The creation of synthetic plastics has helped free people from the social and economic constraints imposed by the scarcity of natural resources.
However, the future of plastics is closely tied to sustainability and environmental concerns. Plastic pollution is a significant issue, with plastic debris making up 50% to 80% of waste in marine areas. Plastic is also present in the soil and has been detected in the human body, raising serious health concerns.
To address these challenges, scientists are working on making plastics safer and more sustainable. Efforts are being made to improve recycling technologies and promote the design of recyclable packaging. Feedstock recycling, for example, involves converting waste plastic into its starting chemicals, which can then be used to create fresh plastic. Burning plastic in energy recovery facilities is another method of disposal, although it is not without environmental concerns.
The development of biobased plastics derived from renewable resources such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils, and polylactic acid is also a step towards a more sustainable future for plastics. These plastics are biodegradable and have a lower environmental impact than their synthetic counterparts.
As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the key focus for the plastics industry will be on reducing plastic waste, improving recycling technologies, and developing biodegradable alternatives that can coexist harmoniously with the environment.
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Plastic's role in modern life
Plastics are a range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their plasticity allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptability, combined with a wide range of other properties such as low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use around the world.
The first man-made plastic was Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1855 and patented the following year. It was manufactured from cellulose (the major component of plant cell walls) treated with nitric acid as a solvent. The first truly synthetic plastic was Bakelite, made from phenol and formaldehyde resin and invented by Leo Baekeland in 1906.
Plastics have become an integral part of modern life, revolutionising industries such as healthcare, transportation, food preservation, and construction. In the medical field, plastics are used in sterile packaging, disposable syringes, and life-saving medical devices. Plastic-based components such as heart valves, catheters, and IV tubes provide convenience and reduce contamination risks. In transportation, the use of lightweight plastics has reduced vehicle weight, leading to lower fuel consumption and reduced carbon emissions. In the food industry, plastics play a vital role in extending the shelf life of products, thus reducing food waste.
However, plastics have also become synonymous with environmental degradation. Plastic waste generation has doubled over the past two decades, with 79% of plastic waste ending up in landfills or the natural environment. The presence of plastic in the environment hurts ecosystems and human health. While plastic recycling is possible, it is often not economically viable, and burning plastic waste can also have negative environmental impacts.
Looking to the future, plastics will continue to play a significant role in our lives, becoming 'smart' and serving important roles in human tissue transplants, ultra-low-emission vehicles, superior home insulation, reusable electronic media, and smart packaging.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms.
Plastics are usually made from petrochemicals or things like cellulose and starch. Synthetic plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or coal, while biobased plastics come from renewable products such as carbohydrates, fats, and oils.
Plastics are lightweight, durable, flexible, chemically resistant, low-cost, and easy to produce. They have helped make possessions cheaper, lighter, safer, and stronger, and have enabled the development of computers, cell phones, and most of the lifesaving advances of modern medicine.
Most plastics are not biodegradable and cause a buildup of pollution, which harms wildlife and the environment. They are also hard to recycle and are derived from non-renewable petroleum-based sources. Research has found plastic in almost every bodily organ, and the chemicals they contain can be released into the body over time.
