Should Plastics be Banned?
by Many environmental groups advocate against the use of plastics as it appears to pollute the environment with its presence. But are these positions well founded?
There are now moves to ban plastic from being used by consumers and manufacturers in producing goods. Are plastics really that bad?
How are Plastics Made?
Plastics are made up of various products from hydrocarbons (mainly petroleum) and some other elements, most often chlorine derived from salt. These materials are made through a chemical process called polymerization, where multiple identical units (monomers) bond together normally with the aid of a catalyst.
Image via Wikipedia
How much plastic is generated?
Each year, about 500 to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide. Billions of these end up as either litter or make disposed waste in the landfill but scavengers can be good agents for recycling (see article on how scavengers help out in waste management).
Plastics comprise a major portion of things we use in the house. If you look around you, you will notice that 80 percent or even more of the things you use are made of plastic.
Why are plastics bad?
Plastics can be bad for the environment especially if not disposed of properly. A sea turtle, for instance, might mistake a floating plastic bag for a jellyfish. That would stay in the turtle’s stomach and block food digestion resulting to death. A veterinarian once saw plastic bags among the stomach contents of sea turtles.
Also, the chemicals used in making plastic products have harmful health effects. A news article once featured an African boy who loved his water bottle so much that he painted it. He died afterwards due to poisoning. Doctors found out that the lead (from paint) leaching out from the water bottle was the cause of death. Low grade plastic containers itself can leach out harmful substances that will threaten health (see previous post on ill effects of plastic containers). Did you notice that tangy or undescribable aftertaste in some carbonated drinks? That could possibly be the result of leaching carcinogenic substances to the contained liquid. Manufacturers save on weight of transport and get more profit while you get more toxic substances in your system.
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Post Commentdrelayaraja
On December 15, 2009 at 11:38 am
Well written article.
First let us boycott plastics and then talk about a ban…
diamondpoet
On December 15, 2009 at 11:45 am
Very good article, and informative, but so many thing we use today of plastic, I guess until they find a substitute they will continue to use it. thanks for sharing.
Authoress Terry E. Lyle
On December 15, 2009 at 11:48 am
Article was informative and well written.
Guy Hogan
On December 15, 2009 at 12:03 pm
We are obviously destroying our planet. Debate has to turn to action real soon.
overwings
On December 15, 2009 at 12:10 pm
As usually very interesting. I can’t find a way to substitute plastics. There are everywhere.
qasimdharamsy
On December 15, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Well Written…
Moses Ingram
On December 15, 2009 at 12:45 pm
An excellent article and we must find a substitute for plastics in the very near future. Thanks for such an informative read.
Videomark
On December 15, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Very informative. Plastic bottles replaced glass bottles. I definitely would not go back to glass. Hopefully they will find a better solution.
metro7
On December 15, 2009 at 1:21 pm
As of now there is no substitute for plastic.I strongly believe in banning it.its more harmful then u can imagine.gr8 article and how timely thxs
Glynis Smy
On December 15, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Interesting topic, I wonder if it will ever be banned?
AlmaG
On December 15, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Yes I think that they should be banned totally!
Max
On December 16, 2009 at 12:44 am
Interesting comments. I went to Wal-Mart the other day and was amazed by the number of items that was made of or contained plastic….everything there was made of or touched plastic. The problem won’t be solved by using less plastic in our packages if that plastic isn’t recycled or won’t biodegrade. Most plastic will end up in a landfill and once it arrives there it does not biodegrade…..once it is in a landfill it will languish there for hundreds or thousands of years. I don’t want plastic pollution to be my legacy to future generations. There is a better alternative…we should insist that all plastics be biodegradable. Plastics should be designed to biodegrade in a landfill.
We have developed a biodegradable plastic bottle with an additive that attracts plastic eating microbes. When those microbes consume plastic they produce biogases. Our landfills now capture those biogases but more efficient bioreactor landfill sites are designed to enhance biodegradation and the capture of landfill gases. Landfill gases (LFG) are a source for producing clean energy.
We can and should improve recycling rates. We can do a better job of recycling more of the things we use. We should reuse everything as long as possible. Eventually, the things we use will end up in the trash…and once it’s there it should be designed to be biodegradable.
Max
http://www.ensobottles.com
“Bottles for a healthier earth”
Patrick Regoniel
On December 16, 2009 at 1:09 am
Thanks you Dear Friends for reading my article and posting your concerns.
I also would like to thank Max for providing information on biodegradable plastics. I saw Max’s website specializing on this venture and would like to commend it. I just hope the method is cost-efficient and would cover those plastic types other than PET.
bailieman
On December 16, 2009 at 9:57 am
Well written article as always. We all need to do whatever little bit we can to improve the environment.
cutedrishti8
On December 19, 2009 at 11:36 am
They should be banned…But when they will be banned it’s the topic to discuss
Saint Jimmy
On December 21, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Plastics also infect water when frozen, which ironically can be purified using Titanium, yeh Chemistry. Any how great article, and I think plastic shouldn’t be used in a public way, but used in places to make cars and such, just not where people can get it and throw it on the ground.
PhoenixRox
On December 26, 2009 at 2:52 pm
They should most certainly be banned. We all need to go green and get back to bio-degradable materials.Our planet needs us now!
Mila Marcos
On January 6, 2010 at 3:56 am
If plastics are used conservatively or recycled, I don’t see any major issues with them. You can reuse them in the home. What do we replace plastics with? Paper – more trees.
Jani
On February 2, 2010 at 1:49 am
thank you for the article. I’m doing a research on whether or not plastics should be banned in architecture,your article has been very informative.
Patrick Regoniel
On February 2, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Welcome Jani. Glad it helped.
Manasi Panwar
On November 28, 2011 at 9:58 am
The plastics r not d problem….but d real problem iz when v throw dem carelessly….there iz no need to ban plastics…ya v can reduce its use…but banning it completely iz not goooood….