POLYMERS, POLYMER RECYCLING, AND SUSTAINABILITY

The limits and problems of our globe were the content of the famous BnmdtIand report to the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. The term sustainable development was coined, meaning a development satisfying the needs of the present generation by considering the needs for a sufficient supply for future generations. 

Five years later at the conference in Rio members of more than 100 countries formulated an action program along this basic principle and made it known worldwide. For a long time different definitions and contents for this basic principle have been discussed. It is publically accepted, meanwhile, that a sustainable development has to consider social, economic, and ecological aspects because it is a development goal for the human species on this globe (Fig. 13.1). 

Environmental impact is generated solely by the existence of human beings in this world—this part is governed by social and even religious or theological aspects. Environmental impact is certainly caused by our standard of living 

Plastics and the Environment, Edited by Anthony L. Andrady. ISBN 0-471-09520-6 2003 John Wiley Sons, Inc. 

Environmental impact may mean the saving of resources, the minimization of emissions including disposal, or the avoidance of hazardous substances. The public emphasis concentrates presently on minimization of emissions if we consider the debate on global warming or on dioxins. But saving of resources will obtain equal importance in the future if the limited availability of fuel will get more public awareness again. 

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Explain sustainable development and the triple bottom line. (P) How does polymer regeneration differ from standard recycling methods 10) Are the properties of recycled plastics as good as the properties of virgin plastics 11) Discuss the life cycle of plastics and why reducing is better than recycling and reusing. 12)... 

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