Plastics programmed life

Scott, G., Wiles, D. M. Programmed-life plastics from polyolefins a new look at sustainability. Biomaavmolecule 2001,2,615-622. 

Scott, G., and Wiles, D.M., 2001, Programmed-Life Plastics from Polyolefins A New Look at Sustainability. Biomacromolecules 2 615-622. 

Scott G and Wiles D M (2001) Programmed-life plastics from polyolefins A new look at Sustainability Biomacromolecules, 2, 615-622. 

Plastics. Part of the trend to substitute plastic and composite substrates for metals can be attributed to a desire to avoid the process of metallic corrosion and subsequent failure. Relatively little attention has been called to the possible failure modes of plastics under environments considered corrosive to metals. More extensive work should be conducted on the durability and life expectancy of plastic and composite materials under end-use environments. A further consideration is the potential for polymer degradation by the products of metal corrosion in hybrid structures comprising metal and polymer components. Since it is expected that coatings will continue to be used to protect plastic and composite substrates, ancillary programs need to be conducted on the mechanisms by which coatings can protect such substrates. 

In the case of images in magazines, photos are changed on computers to erase any wrinkles, zits, scars, or similar things on a person s skin. That is why all the photos you see of people in magazines show them with extremely smooth skin—almost like plastic. Computer programs can also make a person in a photo look much thinner than he or she does in real life. 

Our actions are part of an ambitious program to valorize all plastic materials at their end of life, to treat all the waste from our industries. This program is based on the study of the impact of polymers, from their produetion to their treatment after use. Each year, PlasticsEurope invests 250,000 euros to update arrd complete the lifecycle analysis of the production of polymers. We share data and collaborate closely with the Joint Research Center of the European Commission which works on calculating the environmental impact of products throughout their lifecycle. 

Rather than death to marine life, program-mably biodegradable plastics can mean food for the fishes. 

Produced from renewable resources Living organisms—E. coli, yeast, plants, and animals—can be designed to produce protein-based polymers. Protein-based polymers can be produced with renewable resources. They can be prepared without resorting to toxic and noxious chemicals, and they can be programmed for a desired biodegradation. For example, they can mean food for the fishes rather than death to marine life, as occurs with present plastics. Thus, protein-based polymers can be environmentally friendly for their complete life cycle, from production to disposal. 

Rheumatic fever has been controlled in the western world by a vigorous program of primary and secondary prophylaxis, particularly in susceptible communities but the ravages of subtle infections and uncontrolled epidemics in the third world countries makes scarred valves a common problem in adult life. Valve repair is usually inadequate, since valvular tissue is thickened, fibrosed and often calcified pericardium, dacron and dura mater are inadequate valve tissue substitutes, while homograft and heterograft valves have not proved durable. There is the need for new durable and pliable plastic substances to replace valve tissue, substances that do not need anticoagulants or subsequent replacement. 

In Europe, biobased polymers can be certified as biobased with the OK Biobased certification program from VinCotte (OK Biobased Certification 2013). Biobased plastics are made with a renewable resource that can offer lower environmental impacts than petroleum-based plastics (Bastioli, C. (2005)). Replacing petroleum-based carbon with organic carbon from today can reduce the carbon footprint of the plastic material based on life cycle assessments (LCA Narayan 2006a, 201 lb). 

The ultimate fate of the plastic wrap and plastic containers is also part of the polyethylene life cycle. If used containers are recycled and refilled, this is a beneficial part of the life cycle. If either the containers or the wrap could be collected and remanufactured into new containers or wrap, this would also be part of the life cycle. If the containers, for exanple, could be converted back into ethylene as part of a recycling program, this would also be part of the life cycle. If the polyethylene, in whatever form, ends up in a landfill, where it does not degrade, this is the ultimate part of the life cycle. 

---