Plastics

I want to say one word to you.

Yes sir.

Are you listening ?

Yes sir, I am.

PLASTICS !

- The Graduate

(1967)

1. Definition of Plastics

Plastics can be defined as used materials which are primarily based on two materials, polymers and prepolymers (Elias, 1993). However, the previously mentioned definition suffers from a serious weakness as it does not explain the basic method of how plastics are made. A better definition of plastics is that they are “synthetic materials composed of a series or chain of molecules which, when heat or pressure is applied, can be formed into desired shapes” (Lincoln et al. 1984, p6). The reason they were named “plastics” is because they are easily processed and shaped. This name was originally derived from the greek word "Plastein" which fundamentally means to form or to shape.

1.2. Definition and Description of Polymers

Polymers, which are considered to be raw materials for plastics, are a wide group of substances that may be classified into three categories: organic such as nucleic acids, semi-organic such as born nitride, concrete and many high-temperature superconductors and inorganic chemical substances such as diamonds, sands and chert (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2007, p162). Organic polymers can also be exemplified by cotton, cellulose in plants and/or skin, hoofs and muscle (Ruoff, 1972). The name polymers was originally came from the two Greek words, “poly” which means many and “meros” which means parts. The difference between polymers and prepolymers is that a prepolymer has lower moral masses than a polymer does. Prepolymers can be exactly the same as polymers on processing (Elias, 1993).

2. The History of Plasti...

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...idered as a removal problem, but as a major benefit. However, the suggestion of turning waste into energy suffers from serious weaknesses. For example, all of the inorganic substances that are present in the waste are produced as ash which means that landfills will be continually required to dispose of the ash that leads to even more costs. Landfills, which are supposed to be a part of the solution, can cause even more pollution to the air, water and also the soil. Although the ash is not that dangerous, it has an adverse impact on the environment. In addition, turning waste into energy cannot successfully deal with all types of waste, neither can recycling. Above all, the best solution seems to be that consumers ought to be presented by reliable, reasonable and scientific information of the environmental issues related to the plastic industry and how to avoid them.