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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... ... middle of paper ... ...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.
The popular teen movie “Mean Girls” accurately portrays several concepts from Chapter Two including Interaction Appearance Theory and Undue Influence, just to name a few that allow teen viewers to see the type of communication there is or will be in high school. Through the interactions with her new peers, Cady Heron is able to communicate and experience several of the concepts learned in Chapter Two thanks to the interactions she had with the deceiving Regina George.
Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most commonly used polymers which can be identified into two plastic identification codes: 2 for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 4 for low density polyethylene (LDPE). Polyethylene is sometimes called polyethene or polythene and is produced by an addition polymerisation reaction. The chemical formula for polyethylene is –(CH2-CH2)n– for both HDPE and LDPE. The formation of the polyethylene chain is created with the monomer ethylene (CH2=CH2).
Clive Maier, Theresa Calafut. 1998. ‘Polypropylene: The Definitive User's Guide and Databook’. USA: William Andrew Inc.
In conclusion to this investigation one thing is clear and that is that recycling reeks benefits to the environment, Recycling material when compared to making material from raw material is a more efficient energy saving and more environmentally friendly way to reuse material that is usually consider as trash such as empty glass, and plastic bottles, or old newspapers. Recycling helps reduce the possible carbon emissions greatly and does reduce the human carbon footprint. But Recycling doesn’t resolve the pollution that is around the world today. Leading to new questions, questions like what about the landfills are they sustainable, and if so for how long. How long until the air becomes unbreathable? How long until Earth becomes its own furnace?
...ing nuclear waste is a new and unsound technology, but still a solution to the problems of excessive waste. Where in the future, new technologies may allow for the waste to be completely recycled and reused in the reactors to create more energy. With both positives and negatives of nuclear energy, the real question that remains is “if not nuclear, then what else?” (Rutgers’s Felder)
What is a polymer? Polymers are substances containing a hefty amount of structural units joined by the same type of linkage. The minute you hear the word polymers you assume it is manufactured with massive chemical plants. Actually, polymers have been in nature from the start. All living things plants, animals, and people are made of polymers. However, what you do not know is they are different types of polymers the Synthetic ones which use harmful toxins to be synthesized, and are those which are Natural. They are numerous polymers that fall in the natural process and are utilized in both our society and our bodies, which are cellulose; starch, rubber, proteins and both are DNA and RNA, and many more
With up to 150 million tons of plastic being consumed each year since the 1950s, it is clear that this polymer plays a critical role in everyday life (Icpeenvis.nic.in, 2011). A polymer is a substance made from identical monomers (molecules) joined together to form one large molecule (Smith et al., 2006). Plastic is often made from petrochemicals, with thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers being the two forms (Helmenstine, 2016). These are found ubiquitously, from packaging to health care. However, with the production and disposal of plastic at an all-time high, this can have devastating environmental effects. For this reason, a versatile plastic which is biodegradable, and produced from sustainable
German Chemist Hans von Pechmann first synthesized Polyethylene by accident in 1898 by heating diazomethane. His colleagues characterized the waxy substance polyethylene due to the fact that they recognized that it consisted of long ethene chains. It was then first industrially synthesized by accident in 1933 by applying extremely high pressure to ethylene and benzaldehyde. Over the years, development of polyethylene has increased due to the additions of catalyst. This makes ethylene polymerization possible at lower temperatures and pressures.1
Energy can come in many different ways but not every way is good for the environment. By-products produced from the waste or energy being converted can cause harmful repercussions to the environment. There is more than 200 million tons of hazardous waste that is created annually through such things like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cleaning products, etc. (High Temperature Incineration, n.d.). I will be discussing the incineration process as well as the pros and cons of incineration based waste to energy have on the environment. I will also be going over my views on incinerating waste and what steps should be taken to get rid of waste more effectively. To better understand the positives and negatives about incineration technology the process
“ Poly means many and mer means parts, so polymer means many parts. Polymers are made from many small molecules held together through covalent bonding ”
Polymers are made from relatively small molecular fragments known as monomers that are joined together. Synthetic polymers which include the large group known as plastics are divided into three groups: commodity thermoplastic, engineering thermoplastics (ETP), and advanced engineering thermoplastics (AETP). The engineering thermoplastics (ETP) have heat resistance, strong mechanical properties, lightness, self-lubrication, and easy manufacturing. This plastic category has been lately used to replace wood and metal applications.
Millions of plastic bags are given out to consumers by supermarkets and stores to carry their goods in. They are also cheap, light, durable, easy to carry and in many cases, free. The most commonly used shopping bag is made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). This type is used in the majority of supermarkets and stores. After these bags are used, they often end up in landfills or as litter, roughly only three percent of plastic bags is actually recycled per year (Planet Ark, 2011). The materials used in making plastic bags make them non-biodegradable. According to the science dictionary, 2011 refers to “these materials cannot be decomposed into environmentally safe waste materials by the action of soil bacteria.” These harmful substances are toxic and take approximately four hundred years to break down, or in this case photo-degrade; which is how plastics made from (HDPE) break down. Since they are not biodegradable, they remain in the environment and are absorbed in soil or water (Indian Centre for Plastics in the Environment, 2010). This essay will discuss the various harmful effects of plastic bags, and demonstrate the risks that these bags impose on humans, animals and the environment. It will also discuss a series of suggested solutions that could help reduce plastic bag usage.
Polymers popularly coined as “plastics” have proved their importance in different areas like FMCG, pharma, automobiles, etc. Plastics are versatile materials with unique properties like high strength to weight ratio, good aesthetics; good Processability, balanced engineering properties and optimum cost led its entry into medical
Polymer means any of various chemical compounds made of smaller identical molecules called monomers linked together. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally. Polymers have extremely high molecular weights, and made-up of many of the tissues of organisms, and have various uses in industries. The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (The American Heritage Science Dictionary, 2005). Polymeric compound is a compound made of many smaller molecules such as cellulose, chitin, soy protein, casein and many more. Polymeric is an organic giant molecule and most of the compound is non-crystalline.
But plastic is an extraordinary innovation that replaces many other expensive products with lightweight, strong easy to maintain , longer lasting material with a less expensive plastic. “Plastics are manufactured materials that can be shaped into almost any form.” Most plastics are made when two or more chemical compounds combine and cause chemical reactions to polymerize, or form a long chain of molecules to form. This causes the plastic to form. The plastic is then heated into a molten liquid and then molded into the shape needed. There are two basic types of plastics. They are thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics. The type of plastic it is determined by the way they react when heated. Thermoplastics are plastics that can be heated and melted and still reform its shape. Thermosetting plastics are just the opposite. They can be melted and cannot be reshaped into its original