Plastics resource considerations

R. G. Hunt, LCA considerations of solid waste management alternatives for paper and plastics, Resources, Conservation and recycling, 14 (1995)., pp 225-231... 

A third approach to be considered is the ecological and sustainable aspects of a material. For instance, the fossil resources used for the fabrication of plastics constitute an undesirable contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere thus increasing global warming. Moreover, the long persistence of some plastic materials in the environment causes visual pollution and suffocation of animals, if their disposal in the post-use period is not adequate. The energy consumption in the fabrication of a material also falls under this consideration. 

Research the processes of recycling aluminum, plastic, and glass. Design a poster or a multimedia presentation for members of your community about one of the processes. Include the following considerations Why is it cost effective to recycle What resources are conserved What recycling is available in your area Flow can the members of your community use this information to make responsible choices about the products they purchase ... 

This book puts a wealth of information at your fingertips. It represents an exhaustive compilation of data on how chemicals and other exposure environments affect the properties and characteristics of thermoplastic materials. How a plastic will perform in its end use environment is a critical consideration and the information presented here gives useful guidelines. However, this or any other information resource should not serve as a substitute for actual testing in determining the applicability of a given part or material in a given end use environment. 

The presence of phthalates in coastal and river water samples is due to anthropogenic inputs from various resources, which include sewage treatment plants, industries that use phthalate esters, and leaching from disposed plastic wastes. The levels found in surface waters for DBP are in general below the ERL, but for DEHP the levels reported are often considerably higher than their corresponding ERL (see Table 28.10A). 

Urea and nitric acid production consume about 20% and 15% respectively. However, like most ammonia derivatives, these are predominantly used in fertilizers which, together with the uses of hydrocarbon fuels and electricity in farm machinery, contribute to a considerable consumption of fossil fuel resources in modem agriculture. Plastics and synthetic fibre outlets account for less than 15%, including the urea-formaldehyde (0-8 Mt in the U.S.A., higher in Europe) and melamine resins. 

Now, when the rates of growth of plastics manufacturing are extremely high, it is especially important, that development of the plastic industry take into consideration the problem of use of the plastics which are not outdated yet, but have lost their initial properties or consumer value of products, such as the thrown out products, and also technological waste products of their manufactures [1]. The problem under consideration is acute and relevant, it has ecological and economic aspects as it is connected with environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, needs for reduction the price of raw material for manufacture of polymers. At the same time it is the least investigated [2],... 

---