Ethan Clarke
Plastic is a material that does not decompose easily and, therefore, persists in the environment. This is because plastic is not abundant in nature, and the enzymes in microorganisms that break down biodegradable materials do not recognize the bonds that hold polymers in plastic together. While plastic eventually breaks down into smaller particles, this process takes hundreds of thousands of years, during which time the plastic waste releases harmful chemicals into the soil and water and is ingested by animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic is not organic | Most plastics are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) |
| Plastic cannot be decomposed by bacteria | Bacteria cannot break down the chemical bonds in plastic |
| Plastic degradation by microorganisms | Microorganisms can break down plastic into smaller elements, but not completely |
| Biodegradable plastic | Biodegradable plastic can be engineered to biodegrade in soil or water |
| Compostable plastic | Compostable plastic must be able to be broken down by biological treatment at a commercial or industrial facility |
| Biobased plastic recyclability | Some forms of biobased plastic cannot be recycled with petroleum-based plastic due to chemical structure incompatibility |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic is a broad term for many materials, most of which do not decompose easily
- Plastic is made from fossil fuels, which are derived from plants, but it is not biodegradable
- The enzymes in microorganisms that break down biodegradable materials do not recognise the bonds in plastic
- Plastic does not decompose in landfills, and instead, accumulates in the environment
- Plastic buried in a landfill will rarely decompose as it does not have access to sunlight or bacteria
Plastic is a broad term for many materials, most of which do not decompose easily
Plastic is a broad term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. The defining characteristic of plastic is its plasticity, which allows it to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into various solid forms. This adaptability, combined with other desirable properties such as low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to the widespread use of plastic around the world.
The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland, who coined the term "plastics". Since then, dozens of different types of plastics have been produced, including commonly known varieties such as polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Most plastics in use today are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is challenging to decompose because most bacteria cannot break it down. The process of decomposition is typically facilitated by bacteria, but the chemical bonds in plastic are stronger than those in organic waste, making it difficult for bacteria to break down. While UV light from the sun can break down plastic over time, it is a slow process.
The non-biodegradability of plastics has led to significant environmental concerns. Plastic waste has contaminated our oceans, with rivers such as the Yangtze, Indus, Yellow, Hai, Nile, Ganges, Pearl, Amur, Niger, and Mekong transporting a significant portion of plastic waste into the sea. The presence of plastics, especially microplastics, within the food chain is increasing, with virtually all seabirds having plastic in their stomachs.
While biodegradable plastics are currently in development, it is essential to reduce plastic usage and transition to reusable alternatives in the meantime. Efforts to recycle plastic are also important, although recycling is challenging due to the diverse range of plastic types and their unique chemical compositions.
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Plastic is made from fossil fuels, which are derived from plants, but it is not biodegradable
Plastic is a human-made material derived from fossil fuels, which are themselves derived from plants. Fossil fuels are made from the remains of living organisms, such as algae, bacteria, and plants, which were buried deep underground for millions of years. Over time, heat and pressure turned these organisms into fossil fuels, primarily crude oil, natural gas, and coal.
Plastic is created through the process of refining and heating fossil fuels, specifically the chemical propylene, which is abundant in petroleum. This heating process causes individual molecules of propylene to link together, forming a polymer—a large molecule made of many small molecules bonded together.
While plastic is made from organic material, it does not biodegrade like other organic materials. Biodegradation is a process where organic materials are transformed by bacteria in the soil into other useful compounds. This process occurs most efficiently in hot, wet environments with sufficient microorganisms, such as in a warm tropical forest.
However, the enzymes in these microorganisms cannot recognize the bonds that hold polymers in plastic together. As a result, plastic does not undergo biodegradation and instead breaks down into smaller particles over a much longer period. It is estimated that plastic water bottles can take up to 450 years to decompose in landfills, and even in the ocean, where they are exposed to constant motion and UV light, plastic bags can take 20 years to degrade.
The inability of plastic to biodegrade has led to a growing plastic crisis, with plastic waste accumulating in the environment and causing harm to animal and human health. Efforts are being made to develop biodegradable alternatives, such as bioplastics created by bacteria, to address this issue and reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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The enzymes in microorganisms that break down biodegradable materials do not recognise the bonds in plastic
Plastic is challenging to decompose because it is not organic. Most plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are nearly indestructible, and bacteria typically cannot break them down. The chemical bonds in plastic are stronger than those in biodegradable materials, which makes the decomposition process very lengthy.
The biodegradation of plastics depends on the types of bonds in the polymeric chains. Polymers with hydrolysable ester bonds in their backbones, such as PET and PUR, are more susceptible to biodegradation than polymers with carbon chain backbones like PE, PS, PP, and PVC. Enzymes that degrade the high-molecular weight polymers of PET and ester-based PU are known, but no specific enzymes can biodegrade PE, PS, PP, or PVC.
The physical arrangement of the polymer chains in LDPE and a lower content of vinylidene defects make it more biodegradable than High-density polyethylene (HDPE). The molar mass of HDPE is much higher, making it harder for microorganisms and their oxidizing enzymes to access the polymer chains. Structural variations in PE polymers, such as unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds, carbonyl groups, and hydroperoxide groups, also impact biodegradability.
While plastic is challenging to decompose, there is hope. Researchers have discovered a bacteria that breaks down PET plastic, and new biodegradable plastics are being developed. Additionally, UV light from the sun can break down plastic over time, and microbial and enzymatic degradation of waste plastics can convert them into biodegradable polymers.
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Plastic does not decompose in landfills, and instead, accumulates in the environment
Plastic does not decompose in landfills and instead accumulates in the environment, causing a range of issues. Plastic is not organic, and most plastics today are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is nearly indestructible. Bacteria, which are responsible for decomposing materials, cannot break down the strong chemical bonds in plastic. While UV light from the sun can break down plastic over time, the process is very slow.
As a result of its non-biodegradable nature, plastic accumulates in landfills and the environment. Landfills are a common method for disposing of plastic waste, with 79% of all plastic waste ending up in landfills or the natural environment. This has led to the formation and spread of microplastics (MPs), which are small plastic particles or fibers. MPs are transported by air and leachate, contaminating the surrounding environment. Improper management of landfill leachate, which contains MPs, can lead to the release of toxic substances and harmful volatile organic compounds.
The accumulation of plastic in the environment has severe consequences. Plastic pollution is widespread, affecting vulnerable communities and wildlife. It has been found in the stomachs of virtually all seabirds, and approximately 1 million sea creatures die from plastic each year. Microplastics pose a particularly deadly problem, causing punctured organs or intestinal blockages in animals and potentially leading to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and cancer in humans.
The impact of plastic on the environment is further exacerbated by its production and disposal processes. Single-use plastics, which make up half of all plastic produced, are designed for convenience and one-time use, contributing to a throw-away society. The extraction and creation of single-use plastics from fossil fuels emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Additionally, the disposal of plastics in landfills leads to increased landfill size and methane emissions.
To address the issue of plastic accumulation, it is crucial to reduce plastic pollution by producing and using less plastic. Biodegradable plastics are currently in development, offering a potential solution for easier decomposition in the future. In the meantime, individuals can make small changes, such as using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic ones, to reduce their plastic consumption and minimize the environmental impact of plastic accumulation.
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Plastic buried in a landfill will rarely decompose as it does not have access to sunlight or bacteria
Plastic is challenging to decompose because it is not organic. Most plastics, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are nearly indestructible and require very specific conditions to break down.
The decomposition of plastic buried in a landfill is particularly difficult due to a lack of sunlight and bacteria. Landfills are often devoid of sunlight, preventing the process of photodegradation, where ultraviolet (UV) radiation breaks down the molecules of plastic. This natural process can take a long time, and the fragmented pieces are still harmful to the environment.
Bacteria typically break down organic materials like wood, grass, and food scraps in a process called biodegradation. However, most bacteria cannot break down the strong chemical bonds in plastic, so it remains intact. While researchers have recently discovered plastic-eating bacteria, this process is still not well understood, and the bacteria may not be effective in the unique conditions of landfills.
The artificial environment of landfills lacks the necessary light, water, and bacterial activity for decomposition. Organic materials that biodegrade in soil, like tree trimmings and food waste, will often not break down in landfills. For example, researchers at the University of Arizona discovered 25-year-old food items and newspapers dating back to 1952 that were still intact in a landfill.
As a result, plastic buried in landfills can take an extremely long time to decompose, with estimates ranging from 20 to 500 years or more for different plastic products. This highlights the importance of reducing plastic use, recycling, and properly disposing of plastic waste to minimize its impact on the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic does not decompose easily because it is not a biodegradable material. It is made from fossil fuels, specifically, the remains of old living organisms like algae, bacteria, and plants that have been exposed to high heat and pressure.
Plastic tends to break down into smaller particles until they are too small to be seen, a process known as photodegradation. This process requires sunlight, or UV light, rather than bacteria.
Plastic takes a long time to decompose. It is estimated that plastic bottles will begin to break down after 500-700 years, while plastic bags will only begin the process after a thousand years.
To address the issue of plastic decomposition, the use of biodegradable plastics is being explored. Bioplastics, for example, are made by tiny living bacteria and can be blended with natural rubber and coffee ground oil to create flexible materials.
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