Plastics Friend or Foe

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PLASTICS – FRIEND OR FOE

In the modern age, the use of plastics has caused a heated discussion amongst many parties. Politicians, environmentalists, the media, corporations, the general public etc. have argued for and against the use of plastics. This assignment will look into the importance of plastics in our society and the damage that it causes.

The first type of plastic manufactured for people to use was created in 1863 by an inventor called John Hyatt, but it wasn’t until the 1930s did scientists gained a better understanding of developing plastics through crude oil, gas and other natural hydrocarbons. Technologies further improved during WW2 and the 1950s which drove the development of most plastics we see today.

Nowadays, plastics play an incredibly important part of our lives. The majority of the things we own or use will consist of plastic. The two biggest reasons for its popularity are its usefulness and economic value. Plastic is a material that can provide consumers with their needs and wants. It has the unique capability to be manufactured to meet very specific functional needs for consumers. Listed are some key features that make plastic the material of choice for most producers.

VERSATILITY

One of the biggest assets of plastic is that it can be manufactured to use in almost any shape or form. It can be shaped using heat and once cooled, it will remain in shape. So manufacturers can design any shape they want of their product if they use plastic. An example will be plastic bottles or toys.  It can also be made to be flexible like rubber and can be made into a silk-like fibre like nylon. Plastic is also a great material for insulating heat and electricity and is very safe and non-toxic in normal situations. There are so many types of materials that are plastic and so many functions that would be too long to list. Suffice to say that a plastic material can be manufactured to use in almost any situation.

SIMPLICITY

Plastic is an incredibly versatile material, but the process of manufacturing plastic is quite simple. Chemically, plastic is made by the bonding of a long chain of atoms. Different types of plastic are created by the different types of bonding from these atoms. For example, PVC has side chains incorporating chlorine atoms, which form strong bonds. This makes PVC a material which is strong, stiff, heat and weather resistant. Nylon is made of repeating units linked by peptide bonds.  Although the initial experiment to create these materials was costly, repeating the process is relatively simple. Also most of the chemical compounds can be obtained through hydrocarbons like crude oil, coal and even air. Previously the materials used to make certain products would have used organic materials like wood for chairs, silk for clothes, ivory for instruments etc. But now it is much easier to make products using plastic.

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PERFORMANCE

In the majority of cases, plastic not only replace the materials previously used, but also performs much better. Here’s a fact:

Plastic lumber, made with recycled plastic, holds nails and screws better than wood, is virtually maintenance free and lasts for 50 years!” (1)

Although plastic is not as strong as metal, it can resist corrosion, its more durable, lasts longer and operates more efficiently. This is why it is preferred over metal in major appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers. Plastic bottles and cups are also safer to use than glass ones ...

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