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Effects of plastics is of serious concern as plastics are a major part of our lives. From food packets, toys, storage packing, furniture or electronic items, plastics are almost everywhere. Since its commercial development in the 1950s, plastic has been a real success. The global production of plastics is growing exponentially. The success comes from its remarkable qualities like ease of shaping, low cost, mechanical resistance, etc. Plastic has become one of the best substitutes for wood, thus reducing the cutting of trees and helping the environment. But plastic is non-biodegradable and thus when it comes to its disposal they become a serious problem.
Read More: NCERT Solutions Class 8 Synthetic Fibres & Plastics
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Plastics, Pollution, Plastic Prevention, PVC, Polymers, Carbon, Sustainable
What are Plastics?
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Plastics are semi-synthetic or synthetic substances that contain polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, nylon, etc., as their main ingredient. They can be moulded into different shapes and forms when still in melted form and then transform into a solid or slightly elastic form. They are also known as polymers of long carbon chains. Some interesting characteristics of plastics are:
- Plastics are generally categorized on the basis of the chemical structure of the polymer base and side chains.
- The major categories include acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes and halogenated plastics.
- Plastics are also categorized on the basis of chemical processes used in their synthesis, such as cross-linking, condensation, and polyaddition.
Other classifications depend on properties and qualities relevant to the manufacturing process such as conductive polymers, thermoplastics and thermosets, engineering plastics biodegradable plastics and elastomers.
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| Important Concepts Related to Plastics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Polymerization | Synthetic Rubber | High-Density Polyethylene |
| Monomers | Polythene | Nylon |
Harmful Effects of Plastics
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Plastics are non-biodegradable and so the articles made of plastics do not rot when they are thrown away after use. The waste plastic articles keep on accumulating in the surroundings and pollute the environment. Some of the severe problems faced by improper disposal of plastics are listed below.
- The most direct effect of plastic pollution is the imprisonment of animals in nets or large debris.
- It is a cause of a large number of deaths of marine mammals, turtles and birds. About 90% of all seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.
- Plastic bags affect the growth of crops, by hindering the process of photosynthesis in agricultural fields.
- Plastics have harmful effects on human health because of the chemical additives used during plastic production.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals coming out of plastic can cause cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity and other health problems.
- Both the production and recycling of plastics produce harmful gases and residues that pollute the air, water and soil.
Harmful Effects of Plastics
Read More: Pollution: Causes & Hazards
Plastic Waste Management
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Aside from cleaning up our environment, which is a very significant first step but not a long-term solution, the best way to address plastic pollution is to change our mindsets and habits with this controversial but nonetheless very useful material. The four steps to prevent plastic pollution are as follows:
- Reduce
- Reuse
- Recycle
- Educate
3 R’s Reduce Reuse Recycle
Reduce
- To efficiently reduce plastic pollution, the first step is the reduction in their usage.
- It means changing our everyday behaviours and not using plastic when there is a better alternative to it and only using plastic when strictly necessary.
- In place of using plastic bags, we should opt for paper or jute bags.
- Similarly, we can replace plastic containers with metal or wooden containers.
Reuse
- Even though plastics cause pollution when poorly managed, they have a lot of advantages too, such as being resistant.
- Many plastic items can therefore be reused or used for different purposes.
- Before throwing plastic items, we must consider in what ways they can be used or if something new can be created from them.
Recycle
Plastic recycling consists of collecting plastic waste and reprocessing it into new products, to reduce the amount of plastic in the waste stream.
Educate
Another crucial solution is education in order to increase awareness and behavioural change. The general public, from the eldest to the youngest, must be taught about the danger plastics pose to our planet if not managed in a sustainable way.
Read More: Environmental Pollution
Things to Remember
- Plastics, a major part of our lives, are semi-synthetic or synthetic substances.
- Plastics can be categorised into acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes and halogenated plastics.
- The most drastic effect of plastic pollution is the imprisonment of animals in nets and ingestion of plastic products by them.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals coming out of plastic causes diseases such as cancers, and other health problems.
- Plastics can be used sustainably through 3 R’s namely: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
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| Important Concepts Related to Environmental Pollution | ||
|---|---|---|
| Solid Waste | Environment and Ecosystem | Atmospheric Pollution |
| Environmental Pollution Effects | Noise Pollution | Effects of Air Pollution |
| Air Pollution Prevention Act | Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gases | Acid Rain |
Sample Questions
Ques: Why disposal of plastics are a major problem? (2 marks)
Ans: The articles made of plastic are non-biodegradable.They do not decompose easily. The burning of plastic gives out harmful gases which pollute the air.
Ques: What are the advantages of plastics? (3 marks)
Ans: Advantages of plastics are as follows:
- Plastics are highly flexible and cheaper in comparison to metals.
- The manufacturing process of plastic parts is budget-friendly.
- Plastics are highly durable and can last for a longer time.
- The specific gravity of plastic is much lower, which makes it a lightweight material.
Ques: What are the disadvantages of plastics? (4 marks)
Ans: Disadvantages of plastics are as follows:
- The natural decomposition of plastics will last from 400 to 1000 years and, a few types of plastics are non-degradable.
- Plastic materials affect water bodies like oceans, seas, lakes etc., killing marine animals.
- Many animals are consuming plastic products and dying on a daily basis. About 90% of all seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.
- Plastic is widely popular in food packaging, but research studies show that eating food out of plastic containers may cause cancer.
- Both the production and recycling of plastics produce harmful gases and residues that pollute the air, water and soil.
Ques: What are biodegradable plastics? (2 marks)
Ans: Biodegradable plastics are plastics that degrade or break down when exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation, bacteria, certain enzymes, dampness or water, or wind abrasion. Examples include Starch-based plastics, Cellulose-based plastics, and Soy-based plastics.
Ques: List some uses of plastics. (3 marks)
Ans: Plastics help in making safety gears such as helmets, goggles, etc.
- Plastics are also useful in the construction sector because of their low maintenance and high durability.
- As it is non-reactive to air and water, they help store water in plastic bottles and chemicals in chemical laboratories.
- Because of plastic’s strength and its lightweight properties, it is useful in making toys, electrical switches and other household goods.
Ques: How are plastics categorized? (2 marks)
Ans: Plastics are generally categorized as the chemical structure of the polymer base and side chains. The major categories include acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes and halogenated plastics. Plastics are also categorized on the basis of chemical processes used in their syntheses, such as cross-linking, condensation, and polyaddition.
Ques: How is marine life affected by plastic pollution? (2 marks)
Ans: Plastic is a cause of a large number of deaths of marine mammals, turtles and birds. About 90% of all seabirds have plastic in their stomachs.
Ques: How do plastics affect human health? (2 marks)
Ans: Both the production and recycling of plastics produce harmful gases and residues that pollute the air, water and soil. Exposure to toxic chemicals coming out of plastic can cause cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity and other health problems.
Ques: What are the four ways to prevent plastic pollution? (2 marks)
Ans: The four ways to prevent plastic pollution are:
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