Ethan Clarke
Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material composed primarily of polymers. Its defining characteristic, plasticity, allows it to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. The word plasticity specifically refers to the deformability of the materials used in the manufacture of plastics. Plastics are made from substances like oil and gasoline, and their production has had major benefits for mankind, from medical devices to light-weight construction materials. However, the use of plastic has negative consequences on the environment and human health, and it takes a long time to break down in nature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Synthetic or semi-synthetic organic polymers |
| Chemical composition | Aliphatic (linear) carbon atom backbone chains or heterochain polymers |
| Physical properties | Hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, glass transition temperature |
| Resistance and reactions | Exposure to organic solvents, oxidation, ionizing radiation |
| Manufacturing qualities | Thermoplastics, thermosets, conductive polymers, biodegradable plastics, engineering plastics, elastomers |
| Production | Natural gas, petroleum, renewable resources like polylactic acid |
| Production (weight) | 9.2 billion metric tons between 1950 and 2017 |
| Production (weight, recent) | Over 400 million metric tons in 2023 |
| Production (per person) | 50 kg per person annually |
| Production (rate) | Doubles every ten years |
| First synthetic plastic | Bakelite, 1907 |
| Biodegradability | Not readily biodegradable |
| Malleability | Can be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a variety of solid forms |
| Other properties | Low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, low cost |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic is a man-made material
The word plasticity refers to the deformability of plastics, which allows them to be moulded or shaped. This property, often found in combination with other special properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be made into a great variety of products.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. They can also be classified by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. One important classification of plastics is the degree to which the chemical processes used to make them are reversible or not. Most plastics are thermoplastic, meaning they can be continually softened and reshaped by heat without significantly altering their properties. A smaller number of plastics are thermosets, which are made by the irreversible curing of a monomer solution into a plastic polymer.
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in New York in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". Plastics have existed for approximately 150 years, but their ability to be easily shaped, combined with their affordability, has made them an exceptionally popular material choice in modern times.
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Plastic is a polymeric material
Plastics are made from chemical compounds that can have negative consequences on the environment and human health. They are typically derived from substances like oil and gasoline, which can cause pollutants during extraction and processing. The production of plastic also contributes to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases. Due to their slow decomposition rate in natural ecosystems, plastic waste has become a significant environmental concern. Most plastic ends up in landfills or as plastic pollution, with a staggering amount entering the oceans each year.
To mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste, proper waste management and recycling are crucial. Improving recycling technologies and encouraging the use of biodegradable or compostable alternatives to single-use plastics can help minimise non-recyclable waste. Additionally, raising public awareness about responsible disposal and reducing plastic consumption can significantly contribute to eliminating plastic waste.
Plastics can be classified by their chemical composition, physical properties, and resistance to various substances and processes. They can be categorised as synthetic or semi-synthetic organic polymers, with the ability to be moulded and shaped at moderate temperatures and pressures. Most plastics are thermoplastics, which can be softened and reshaped by heat, while a smaller number are thermosets, which do not possess the property of thermoplasticity.
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". Plastics have had major benefits for mankind, ranging from medical devices to lightweight construction materials. However, their dominance has also led to widespread environmental concerns due to their slow decomposition rate and the chemical compounds used in their production.
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Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic material
The first totally synthetic polymer, Bakelite, was produced in 1907, and the term "plastics" was coined by its inventor, Leo Baekeland. Plastics are defined by their characteristic property of plasticity, which 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, has led to their widespread use around the world.
Plastics can be classified by the chemical process used in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking, or by their physical properties, including hardness, density, tensile strength, thermal resistance, and glass transition temperature. They can also be classified as thermoplastics or thermosets. Thermoplastics can be continually softened and reshaped by heat without significantly altering their properties, while thermosets are made by the irreversible curing of a monomer solution into a plastic polymer, and do not have the property of thermoplasticity.
Plastics are typically made from substances like oil and gasoline, and their production and disposal have significant negative consequences on the environment and human health. They take a long time to break down in nature, and plastic waste often ends up in oceans, rivers, and landscapes, harming animal and plant life. However, a growing minority of plastics are produced from renewable resources, and the development of biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics can help to minimise plastic waste.
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Plastic is harmful to the environment and human health
Plastic is a synthetic or semisynthetic material composed primarily of polymers. Its defining characteristic is plasticity, which allows it to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into various solid forms. This adaptability, coupled with its low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to its widespread use across the globe.
However, the very properties that make plastic so useful to humans are also the source of its detrimental impact on the environment and human health. Firstly, plastic's durability means that it is extremely slow to decompose in natural ecosystems, persisting in the environment for between 100 to 1,000 years or more. This has led to a plastic pollution crisis, with plastic waste accumulating in landfills, oceans, and other natural habitats.
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to marine life, with over 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastic, leading to potential suffocation or entanglement. Furthermore, plastic pollution can fragment into microplastics, which are plastic particles ranging in size from five millimetres to one nanometer. These microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on Earth, including in the meat, milk, and blood of farm animals, and are consumed by humans through various exposure routes, primarily ingestion and inhalation.
The toxic chemical additives and pollutants in plastics have been linked to adverse health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive, growth, and cognitive impairments. Microplastics can also act as vessels for pathogens, contributing to the spread of diseases. The presence of microplastics in human breast milk and the detection of inhaled plastic fibres in human lung tissue further highlight the insidious ways in which plastics are impacting human health.
The ubiquity of plastic pollution in the environment and its potential harm to both humans and nature have raised serious concerns. While plastic has brought numerous benefits to mankind, the full scope of its negative consequences is only beginning to be understood, and urgent action is needed to address this global crisis.
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Plastic is recyclable
Plastic is a synthetic or semisynthetic material composed primarily of polymers. Its defining characteristic, plasticity, allows it to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptability, combined with its low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to its widespread use around the world.
Plastic is technically recyclable, but not all plastics are recycled. In fact, less than 10% of plastics are recycled globally. This is due in part to the fact that some plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride and low-density polyethylene, are not recyclable in normal collections. Additionally, the high costs of recycling facilities mean that recycling small quantities of plastics may not be economical or beneficial.
However, there are some plastics that are widely recycled, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene). PET is the most widely recycled plastic in the world and is commonly found in plastic bottles. Recycled PET is often used to create fashion items, such as polar fleece clothes, backpacks, and carpets. It can also be used as a construction material in third-world countries. HDPE is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide and is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle.
Despite the challenges of plastic recycling, it is important to note that recycling still does happen and incredible products can come out of this process. For example, Plastics for Change uses post-consumer recycled plastic to produce shampoo bottles, cosmetic caps, and packaging films.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is a man-made material that may be moulded or shaped and formed into solid objects.
Plastics are synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. The vast majority of these polymers are formed from chains of carbon atoms, with or without the attachment of oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms.
Examples of plastic include polyethylene, polystyrene, and acrylic. These are often used in plastic bags, cups, and bottles.
Plastic is lightweight, durable, flexible, chemically resistant, low in toxicity, and inexpensive to produce. Its versatility and affordability have made it a popular material across almost every industry.
Plastics are made from chemical compounds that can harm the environment and human health. They take a long time to break down in nature and can cause pollution and harm to animal and plant life. The use of disposable, single-use plastics has led to a large environmental problem due to plastic waste.
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