BYOB
So what is plastic exactly?
Plastic, according to the Britannica Encyclopaedia, is "polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure." Now let's take a step back to examine this definition a bit closer. Polymeric material means that it is a molecule that consists of multiple (semi)identical parts that are bound together. Plastic is then the polymeric material that has the property of plasticity, and can hence change in form. Some plastics are actually natural, however, most are man-made.
How we make plastics? Since plastics contain many carbon compounds, we need a carbon-rich material for that: Oil. Oil is composed of units of shorter carbon-containing parts (monomers). To create a wide range of plastics chemists have to combine different monomers and arrange them differently. Resulting in various types of plastic. For instance water bottles as you buy them in stores are often made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hard plastic - like in food containers - is referred to as foamed polystyrene, flexible thicker plastic - for instance, used for garden hoses - is called polyvinyl chloride(PVC), and shatterproof windows are made of polymethyl methacrylate. Most of these plastics are chemically inert, meaning that they will not chemically react with other substances such as acid, alcohol or even water. Hence, you can keep these substances in plastic containers. So plastics can hold various substances, can be molded into all kinds of forms and shapes ánd can hence be used for all kinds of purposes! What is the problem?
How we make plastics? Since plastics contain many carbon compounds, we need a carbon-rich material for that: Oil. Oil is composed of units of shorter carbon-containing parts (monomers). To create a wide range of plastics chemists have to combine different monomers and arrange them differently. Resulting in various types of plastic. For instance water bottles as you buy them in stores are often made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), hard plastic - like in food containers - is referred to as foamed polystyrene, flexible thicker plastic - for instance, used for garden hoses - is called polyvinyl chloride(PVC), and shatterproof windows are made of polymethyl methacrylate. Most of these plastics are chemically inert, meaning that they will not chemically react with other substances such as acid, alcohol or even water. Hence, you can keep these substances in plastic containers. So plastics can hold various substances, can be molded into all kinds of forms and shapes ánd can hence be used for all kinds of purposes! What is the problem?
The downside of plastic
Since plastic does not chemically react with most other substances, it will not decay. Hence, plastic can actually stay in the environment for centuries! With our increased use of it, it enters the environment more and more, causing a big problem. A lot of this plastic pollution ends up in our oceans, polluting the ecosystem by the fragmentation of plastic waste. A research paper by Eriksen et al. estimated that "at least 5.25 trillion plastic particles (weighing 268,940) tons are currently floating at sea". This is often referred to as the "plastic soup".
Researchers are working on developing biodegradable plastics (often made from substances such as corn oil). However, for now, most plastics are still not biodegradable, hence recycling is the best method of disposal.
Researchers are working on developing biodegradable plastics (often made from substances such as corn oil). However, for now, most plastics are still not biodegradable, hence recycling is the best method of disposal.
BYOB or not?
So let me answer the burning question you all, what does plastic pollution have to do with BYOB? Well, since plastic pollution is largely caused by humans, the solution lies in our own hands. We should all start consuming a little less plastic. For instance by bringing our own water bottles and food containers or by Bringing Your Own Bag. This way we can decrease the demand for new plastic and hence decrease the production.
So let's BYOB everyone! So that next time when you do have that beer, you can toast on a cleaner world!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Stay fashionable, stay sustainable.
Until next time!
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References:
Eriksen, M., Lebreton, L. C., Carson, H. S., Thiel, M., Moore, C. J., Borerro, J. C., & Reisser, J. (2014). Plastic pollution in the world's oceans: more than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250,000 tons afloat at sea. PloS one, 9(12), e111913.
FREUDENRICH, C. (n.d.). How Plastics Work. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved from: http://science.howstuffworks.com/plastic.htm
Plastic. (2016). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/plastic
Polymer. (2016). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://global.britannica.com/science/polymer
Plastic. (2016). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/plastic
Polymer. (2016). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://global.britannica.com/science/polymer
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