Chloe Zhang
The history of plastic goes back to ancient times, with humans using naturally derived plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac. However, the development of synthetic plastics in the 19th century marked a significant growth in plastic usage. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, sparking a consumer boom in affordable and desirable products. This was a pivotal moment in the history of plastics, leading to the creation of new types of plastics and their widespread adoption in various industries. While plastic has revolutionized modern life, concerns about its environmental and health impacts have also emerged, with scientists studying ways to make plastics safer and more sustainable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest known plastic | Latex, used in South America around 1,600 years before the Common Era |
| First manufactured plastic | Parkesine, patented by Alexander Parkes in 1862 |
| First fully synthetic plastic | Bakelite, invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 |
| Plastic production in the 20th century | Saw the emergence of new types of plastics, including PVC, polystyrene, and polyamide |
| Plastic pollution concerns | Preliminary studies in the 1970s highlighted plastic's negative impact on the environment |
| Health concerns | Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical in plastic, is linked to potential health risks, including endocrine disruption and insulin resistance |
| Plastic recycling | Feedstock recycling converts waste plastic into starting chemicals for fresh plastic, but it is costly |
| Alternatives to synthetic plastic | Bioplastics, such as seaweed-based packaging, have emerged as alternatives |
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What You'll Learn
The first plastics
In 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered the process of vulcanization to harden natural rubber. However, the first manufactured plastic was Parkesine, created by Birmingham-born inventor and chemist Alexander Parkes in 1862. It was a semi-synthetic material derived from cellulose nitrate that could be altered to make it rigid, soft, or rubber-like. It was patented in the US in 1866.
John Wesley Hyatt founded the Celluloid Manufacturing Company in the US and improved upon Parkesine, creating celluloid in 1868 or 1869. This plastic was derived from cellulose and alcoholized camphor. It was highly versatile and could be molded into various shapes, making it ideal for items like combs, sunglasses, and billiard balls. Celluloid also became the first flexible photographic film used for still photography and motion pictures.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. It combined formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure. Bakelite was durable, heat-resistant, and well-suited for mechanical mass production. It sparked a consumer boom, making previously expensive items like cameras, telephones, and radios accessible to the masses.
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The birth of the modern plastics era
One of the earliest milestones in the modern plastics era occurred in 1862 when British inventor Alexander Parkes patented Parkesine, considered the first manufactured plastic. Derived from plant cellulose, Parkesine was a semi-synthetic material that could be altered to be rigid, soft, or rubber-like, setting a precedent for future plastic innovations. However, it was Leo Baekeland's invention of Bakelite in 1907 that truly revolutionized the plastics industry. Baekeland, a Belgian-American chemist, created the first fully synthetic plastic, marking a pivotal moment in the birth of the modern plastics era. Bakelite, derived from combining formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure, possessed electrical and thermal insulating properties, making it highly desirable for mass production.
The early 20th century witnessed a proliferation of new plastic types, particularly during the world wars when natural materials became scarce. Waldo Semon's collaboration with B.F. Goodrich in 1926 resulted in a method for plasticizing PVC, making it more pliable and easier to manufacture. This was followed by the industrial production of polystyrene and the debut of polyamide, known for its strength and delicate nature. The development of synthetic plastics continued to surge, driven by mankind's ongoing search for technical materials that offered advantages beyond what natural materials could provide.
While the creation of synthetic plastics brought about a revolution in material science, it also had unintended consequences for the environment and human health. As plastic production and consumption surged, concerns arose about plastic waste polluting landscapes, oceans, and the air. Studies have detected plastic within marine life, and there is growing evidence of the presence of microplastics in the human body, potentially contributing to adverse health effects. Additionally, the additives used during the manufacturing process, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, have come under scrutiny for their potential endocrine-disrupting effects.
Despite these concerns, plastics remain critical to modern life, enabling advancements in computers, cell phones, and medicine. Efforts are now focused on making plastics safer and more sustainable. Innovators are exploring bioplastics made from plant crops, developing truly biodegradable plastics, and improving recycling processes. The birth of the modern plastics era has shaped our world, and the ongoing challenge is to harness the benefits of plastics while mitigating their negative impacts.
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The environmental impact of plastics
The widespread adoption of plastics has had a significant impact on the environment, with plastic pollution infiltrating natural and built environments, including landscapes, oceans, air, and even the human body. Plastic pollution has been detected in every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. The persistence of plastic waste, which can take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, poses a significant threat to marine life, with over 1,500 species known to ingest plastics or become entangled or suffocated by plastic pollution.
The production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions, with the plastic industry projected to account for 20% of total oil consumption and up to 15% of global carbon emissions by 2050 if no interventions are made. The manufacturing process of plastics involves the use of additives such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach out and have potential endocrine-disrupting effects on humans, particularly children.
The plastic industry has recognized the environmental challenges posed by plastic waste and is working towards more sustainable solutions. Innovators are developing bioplastics made from plant crops instead of fossil fuels, striving to create truly biodegradable plastics, and exploring ways to enhance recycling technologies. For instance, Algopack became the first company to use seaweed for plastic packaging in 2010.
Despite these efforts, plastic pollution remains a critical issue, with over 90% of plastic not being recycled and ending up as waste. The planet produced 459 million tons of plastic in 2019 alone, indicating a steady increase in production despite the growing awareness of environmental risks. As such, addressing the environmental impact of plastics requires a multifaceted approach, including the development of alternative materials, improved recycling technologies, and behavioral changes to reduce plastic consumption and waste.
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The health impact of plastics
Plastics are made from synthetic materials, with the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, being invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. This marked the beginning of the Plastics Age, and plastics soon became an integral part of our lives. However, it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that the negative environmental impact of plastics began to be recognized, and the potential health risks started to be explored.
Plastics contain toxic chemical additives and pollutants that can enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, and direct skin contact. These toxic chemicals have been linked to various adverse health effects, including cancer, lung disease, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive issues. The endocrine system, or hormonal system, can be disrupted by the chemicals found in plastics, particularly in children and future generations.
Microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic that break down from larger plastic items, are also a concern. These microplastics can be consumed by humans through food, water, and air. Studies have shown that microplastics can damage cells in the human body and act as vessels for pathogens, increasing the spread of diseases. The production, use, and disposal of plastics contribute to the spread of toxic chemicals, with plastic waste often ending up in oceans and waterways, affecting marine life and entering the food chain.
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The future of plastics
The European Union (EU) has set an ambitious target to make all plastic packaging fully recyclable by 2030, and the United Nations (UN) is working towards a legally binding international agreement by the end of 2024 to make all plastics sustainable. These efforts reflect a growing recognition of the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution, including its contribution to global warming and its presence in marine life, soil, and human placentas.
To address the complex challenges posed by plastic waste and pollution, a globally coordinated approach is vital. This includes reducing the types of plastics in use to make sorting and recycling more efficient, redesigning plastic products with recycling in mind, and improving awareness beyond waste management to address greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production.
While doing without plastics may seem like a logical solution, it is important to recognize that plastics have valuable applications in various industries, including medicine, electronics, and safety. Therefore, the future of plastics should focus on making plastics safer and more sustainable, rather than eliminating them entirely.
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Frequently asked questions
Humans have been using naturally derived plastics for a long time, with the earliest known plastic manipulated by humans believed to be latex, used in South America around 1600 years before the Common Era. However, the creation of the first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, in 1907 by Leo Baekeland is often seen as the birth of the modern plastics era. This invention sparked a consumer boom and major chemical companies began investing in the research and development of new polymers.
Plastic is a broad term for describing materials that can be formed and moulded under heat and pressure. Polymers are the chemical class of materials that make up all modern plastics and consist of long chains of repeating smaller molecules (monomers).
Natural plastics such as horn, tortoiseshell, amber, rubber, and shellac have been used since ancient times. In the mid-19th century, Alexander Parkes created Parkesine, a semi-synthetic material derived from cellulose nitrate, which is considered the first manufactured plastic.
In addition to the invention of Bakelite in 1907, other key milestones include the development of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in the early 20th century, the introduction of Styrofoam in 1930, and the discovery of polyamide in the mid-1930s.
Plastic pollution has become a significant issue, with plastic debris in the oceans first observed in the 1960s. Studies have also shown that plastics can release toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
