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?
Caution was also made on low grade plastics as toys for children. Cheap plastic toys mean increased risk for hand-to-mouth totes. Once, I went to a store specializing on cheap products. Plastic products in that store emit so strong an odor that I thought could be threatening to health. I avoid shopping in that place again.
Why is recycling of plastics difficult?
People advocate recycling but it poses some difficulties. This is because there are lots of different varieties of plastics, the reason why recycling becomes difficult. To facilitate recycling, plastics are usually categorized into different types and are usually indicated in the bottom of plastic containers or commonly called SPI (from Society of the Plastics Industry) codes.
These codes are the following:
1. PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Examples of this type of plastic are water bottles, plastic soft drink bottles, and mouthwash bottles.
2. HDPE (high density polyethylene). This includes detergent bottles, oil bottles, toys, and plastic bags.
3. PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Examples are vegetable oil bottles, blister packaging, and water pipes.
4. LDPE (low density polyethylene). Examples are squezzable bottles, tote bags, clothing, carpet and garment bags.
5. PP (polypropylene). Examples are margarine containers and caps for containers.
6. PS (polystyrene). Examples of this type of plastic are disposable spoon and fork, fast food packages, and egg containers.
7. Others. Those not classified under any of the above types of plastic. An example is melamine, which is used in making plates and cups.
If plastic materials are not appropriately labeled, then it will pose some difficulty in segregation especially to the untrained.
Should Plastics Be Banned?
The production of plastics actually made life more convenient to many people. They are light, strong, flexible and a variety of products can be produced out of it that positively benefit many. It replaced metals, which are much more difficult to source, and more environment degrading due to the need to mine those materials. The once metal gears of printers are now replaced by hardened plastics that made it lighter. Laptop casings are now made of plastic driving its price down and giving everyone the chance to enjoy mobile computing. Asus, however, has made innovations on laptop casings. They have come up with a bamboo casing for their laptops. Chances are, the mouse that you use in clicking things here is made of plastic (Is there a metal or mouse made of wood?). Everywhere, you can find plastics formed for many uses in medicine, nuclear and space research, industry, and architecture, among others.
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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….