The fascinating world of Plastic

Plastic was discovered by famous German chemist Christian Schonbein in 1846 accidentally while experimenting in his kitchen. Today, plastic is found everywhere. From a small pen to fine fabrics, we are all surrounded by plastic.

Their property of molding easily and resisting corrosion has made them widely popular for many purposes. They are strong and ductile and are also, resistant to so many chemicals. Thus, their scope of use increase by the passing minutes.

As per a report, the world uses over 500 billion plastic bags a year. Also, it is further stated that 368 million metric tons were produced in the year 2019 globally.

After looking at the figures, one may have a question about its impact on the environment.  A complete analysis will lead you to believe we should ban this material. It is polluting the marine life and the soil and takes approximately 450 years to decompose.

So, let me ask you a basic question: is it possible to ban plastic?

Well, practically ‘No’. No matter how hard you try or even if the law dictates to ban it; it is nearly impossible to eradicate a discovery that has become a major part of human survival. It is cheaper than metal and with the growth of technology and awareness: recyclable.

“Recyclable”, this word has become a ray of hope for humanity with the damage they have already done to the environment. We have read about recycling since our textbook days but how the blue (non-biodegradable) and green (biodegradable) dustbins get to help in recycling, nobody tells us that. So, before we dive into that let’s understand the 7 types of plastic.

1) Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)

This is one of the most commonly used plastics. Examples: Beverage bottles, Food bottles/jars (salad dressing, peanut butter, honey, etc.) and polyester clothing or rope.

2) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

High-Density Polyethylene is strong and resistant to moisture and chemicals, which makes it ideal for cartons, containers, pipes, and other building materials.  Examples: Milk cartons, detergent bottles, cereal box liners, toys, buckets, park benches, and rigid pipes.

3) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)

This hard and rigid plastic is resistant to chemicals and weathering, making it desired for building and construction applications. It’s also widely used in medical applications because it’s impermeable to germs, is easily disinfected, and provides single-use applications that reduce infections in healthcare. On the flip side, we must note that PVC is the most dangerous plastic to human health, known to leach dangerous toxins throughout its entire lifecycle (eg: lead, dioxins, vinyl chloride). 

Examples: Plumbing pipes, credit cards, human and pet toys, rain gutters, teething rings, IV fluid bags, and medical tubing, and oxygen masks.

4) Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)

A softer, clearer, and more flexible version of HDPE. It’s often used as a liner inside beverage cartons, and in corrosion-resistant work surfaces and other products.

Examples: Plastic/cling wrap, sandwich, and bread bags, bubble wrap, garbage bags, grocery bags, and beverage cups.

5) Polypropylene (PP)

This is one of the most durable types of plastic. It is more heat resistant than some others, which makes it ideal for such things as food packaging and food storage that’s made to hold hot items or be heated itself. It’s flexible enough to allow for mild bending, but it retains its shape and strength for a long time.

Examples: Straws, bottle caps, prescription bottles, hot food containers, packaging tape, disposable diapers, and DVD/CD boxes (remember those!).

6) Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam)

Better known as Styrofoam, this rigid plastic is low-cost and insulates very well, which has made it a staple in the food, packaging, and construction industries. Like PVC, polystyrene is considered to be a dangerous plastic. It can easily leach harmful toxins such as styrene (a neurotoxin), which can easily then be absorbed by food and thus ingested by humans.

Examples: Cups, takeout food containers, shipping and product packaging, egg cartons, cutlery, and building insulation.

7) Other

Ah yes, the infamous “other” option! This category is a catch-all for other types of plastic that don’t belong in any of the other six categories or are combinations of multiple types.

Examples: Chips wrappers, eyeglasses, baby and sports bottles, electronics, CD/DVDs, lighting fixtures, and clear plastic cutlery.

So, now that you are clear with plastic types let’s find out if plastic is typically recyclable or we just say so?

PET bottles, LDPE, PP, and HDPE are recyclable and are profitable to the recycler. PVC & PS are difficult to recycle but special programs can help to convert PVC into flooring, paneling, and roadside gutters. PS recycling is not useful as health concerns forbid us to reuse PS products even after recycling, which makes it shift towards non-recyclable. MLP or Multi-Layered Packaging that comes in the “other” category is also, non-recyclable due to the presence of a foil layer.

What is the process of this “recycling”?

The minute you throw your Coke bottle or Cement Bag or Broken Bucket in the dustbin. The very moment the process of recycling begins. That plastic PET Bottle, LDPE Cement Bag, or HDPE Bucket is picked by the rag pickers and sold to the nearest Junk Dealer who sends it further. Those used plastic products reach a collection centre where they are manually sorted into codes and sacked together and sent to the recycler. At the recycling centre, they are crushed into bits using machines, washed and cleaned, and then depending on the intended recycled product it is heated or molded or further processed to become a usable product.

MLP is non-recyclable but we can still contain its damage by sending it to cement furnaces; where it can burn in a controlled environment of almost 3000 centigrade thus, ending the useful life of the product.

It may interest you to know that the process of recycling may give you marvelous results. You might put a PETE Cola Bottle in Reverse Vending Machine in Connaught Place and end up getting thread for your Ellie Evans top or a Gucci Bag or you may throw PP Cap of your coke bottle and PVC pipes may turn into eco-friendly bricks that can be used for durable roads.

In 2016, the government of India introduced Plastic Waste Management Rules amended in 2018 which has placed “Extended producer responsibility” on plastic producers, importers, and brand owners. They are required to ensure environmentally sound management of their products till the end of their useful life. Thus, laws are made to accept plastic as a part of our existence but their implementation is always challenging.

So, next time you throw a bottle in the dustbin, you would understand why brands ask you to crush it. They are being cautious of the harmful effects of reuse of that PET bottle and at the same time, they need to get that recycled.

P.S.: We understand that the use of Plastic cannot be bluntly eradicated, all we can do is use it responsibly.

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Sanna