Plastics and the Environment: Among the man-made or synthetic fibres, plastic is one that has taken over our lives over the past few decades. There are several items in our household and surrounding us when we step out that it has become an integral part of our lives. From polythene (poly+ethene) bags to larger plastic dustbins and lampshades, there are different types of plastics surrounding us every minute of our lives.

While plastics are extremely handy and useful, they can also be quite harmful to the environment in many ways, especially when they are disposed of not correctly. There are stories that we have read about how plastics are causing harm to the aquatic lives, to the animals living on land and to the water bodies. Before listing out the harmful effects of plastics on the environment, here is a look at what plastics are and how they are used as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

What are Plastics?

Plastic is a polymer and a synthetic fibre. Although all plastics are polymers, they do not have the same type of arrangement in the units. While some plastics have a linear arrangement, some have cross-linked arrangements in them.

Plastics are available in all shapes and sizes and in all colours too. Plastics is also mouldable and can take up any shape it is moulded. Plastics can be reused, recycled, coloured, melted, and rolled into sheets and wires. It is because of these properties that plastics are widely used in a variety of ways.

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Properties of Plastics and Types of Plastics

The properties of plastics depend upon the types of plastics. While some plastics bend easily, some of them break when they are forced to bend. Also, some of these plastic bottles get deformed when hot water is added to them. Such plastics which can get deformed on heating or can be bent easily are called thermoplastics. They are used in the manufacturing of toys, food and storage containers and so on.

On the other hand, there are some plastics that, when once moulded into a particular shape, cannot be deformed or softened again at all. Such plastics are called thermosetting plastics. Examples of thermosetting plastics include melamine and Bakelite.

Bakelite is a poor conductor of heat and electricity, and therefore, is used for making switches, utensil handles, etc. Melamine, on the other hand, is a versatile material that is used for making kitchenware. Melamine can withstand fire and can handle heat better than normal plastics. Melamine is formed through the condensation polymerisation of melamine and formaldehyde. 

Advantages of Plastics

As a choice of material, plastics present a very attractive option because of the advantage it offers to the makers. Apart from containers to store everyday requirements, plastics offer the comfort of lightweight, strength, attractiveness and many more. They are, therefore, used not just in the household but in the manufacture of cars, space crafts and aircraft too. 

1. Plastics are non-reactive, and unlike metals, do not rust on exposure to air. They also do not corrode easily.
2. Plastics are strong, light and durable. It lasts longer than other household materials and is cheaper than many other materials available in the market.
3. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity. Plastics are therefore used as handles in electrical tools such as screwdrivers and for frying pans. There are fire-proof plastics that are coated with melamine and used to make special uniforms for firemen.

Harmful Effects of Plastic on the Environment

While there are several advantages and uses of plastics, not just in the household but in industries and even in healthcare too, the effect of plastics on the environment is something we need to consider before using them further. The plastics that are discarded, from small plastic bags to larger plastics, all get dumped into the garbage and finally end up in landfills and in water. 

The problem with plastics is that they do not get decomposed easily. Materials that get decomposed through natural processes like the action of bacteria on them are biodegradable materials. However, materials like plastics, which are synthetic, are non-biodegradable, and therefore do not get decomposed for several years. Such materials are not environmentally friendly, and plastic is one of them. They cause environmental pollution.

Even burning such materials can only release toxic fumes and cause air pollution. Hence, the impact of plastics on the environment is something that is severe and is causing major soil, air, and water and land pollution because of its excess usage.

Even the livestock and other animals that feed on garbage and grass outside are affected by it because they swallow the materials like plastic and polythene bags, food wrappers, and so on. These choke up the respiratory system of the animals or even form a lining on their stomach, causing severe health issues and death. The drains get clogged because of the plastics, and the oceans are getting polluted due to the presence of plastic bags, which then ends up inside the aquatic animals. 

Controlling the Impact of Plastics on the Environment

The best way to handle the problems caused by plastics is to avoid using them where they are not necessary. Small plastic bags can be replaced with cotton or jute bags. Plastic boxes and bottles can be replaced with metal or glass bottles, and also, waste disposal can be done correctly to avoid plastics ending up in water bodies and landfills.

The best way is to segregate the wastes into non-biodegradable and bio-degradable materials and dispose of them correctly to avoid any issues. The domestic wastes should be collected and disposed of according to the standard practice prescribed. 

Also, recycling plastics is a way to control them from ending in the environment and causing pollution. The thermoplastics can be recycled easily. Following the five principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover and Refuse can help make the environment safer.

Recent research has shown that waste recycling or green chemistry employs several methods to recycle plastics. Some of the notable ones are:

1. Fuels obtained from plastic wastes show high octane rating, and since they contain no lead, they are termed as a green fuels. 
2. Recycled plastics or plastic wastes are used in textile industries to make clothes, therefore making use of it effectively.

Summary

Plastics are synthetic or man-made fibres and polymers which occur as linear and cross-linked polymers. Depending upon whether they are set permanently or can be remoulded, they are called thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. Plastics have several advantageous properties, such as easily mouldable, unreactive, and colourful and are poor conductors of electricity and heat. Due to this reason, they are used in several areas such as healthcare, automobile industries and many more. However, since plastics are non-biodegradable, they cause severe harm to the environment. The solution is to employ the five factors- reduce, reuse, recycle, recover and refuse to deal with the impact of plastic wastes on the environment. Employing a green chemistry solution is also an effective way to deal with the problem.

FAQs

Q.1. How plastic is destroying our environment, and what to do about it?
Ans: Since plastics are non-biodegradable, when these are thrown away, they end up being dumped into landfills and water bodies. They cause water, soil and air pollution since burning the garbage with plastics can release toxic fumes. The only way is to recycle the used plastics and reduce their usage. Substituting them with biodegradable materials and also segregating wastes can help.

Q.2. Explain the effect of plastic on the environment and animal health.
Ans: Plastics, when disposed into the environment, do not decompose for several years. As a result, they remain suspended in the grass and other food materials (garbage) on which the animals feed. This can cause severe respiratory damage and also stomach problems and result in death in extreme cases.

Q.3. Why do we need to segregate waste?
Ans: Segregating non-biodegradable and bio-degradable wastes can help in tackling the wastes effectively. The biodegradable wastes can go into landfills, while non-biodegradable wastes such as plastics can be taken for recycling purposes. 

Q.4. What is the difference between thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics?
Ans: Thermoplastics are those which can be moulded into any other form and gets deformed on heating. The plastics used to make household materials such as buckets, toys, etc., are thermoplastics. Thermosetting plastics, on the other hand, is not affected by heat, and once moulded, cannot be softened or deformed. Examples are melamine and Bakelite.

Q.5. What is green fuel?
Ans: The plastic wastes are used to obtain fuel, which has high octane value and is lead-free. Such fuel, because they are formed from plastic wastes, are called green fuel.

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