Earth Matters: Plastic Planet

Earth Matters: Plastic planet

Plastic is a substance that we all use every day, whether it be for shopping bags or drinks but making it may be killing us.

Plastic is made from oil a substance formed over 1000s years from the ground. We use it for many things from plastic bags to having electricity, it is very versatile. But the problem with oil is that once it runs out it is gone forever as it takes 1000s of years to form. It is expected by 2050 the world would have run out of oil which could lead to devastating results.

 

How much oil do Humans use?

An oil company called IEA Oil estimates that overall there is a demand of 93 million barrels of oil a day! That is a huge number especially due to oil being a non-renewable source.  If we don’t at least bring the oil consumption down instead of  up the end of oil could be very soon.

How is oil made

Oil is extracted from the ground using large structures in the ground and in water. This could lead to other types of pollution when these structures being built such as waste being thrown in the water and carbon emissions due to materials moving on large cargo boats and trucks to build these extraction machines.

 

What happens if the oil machines malfunction?

Oil spills are when there is a problem when extracting or transporting oil. This can be caused by crashed ships, a leakage in a pipeline or a variety of other reasons. These are catastrophes and cause a great wave of death to marine life and animals.  

 

How Plastic is Made

Plastic is made through oil in a very complicated way. First the oils used to make plastic are heated up with other resources which it self causes air pollution and carbon emissions. Then the heated oils are processed in to plastic granules. These plastic granules are manufactured in various other types of plastics such as:  PVC Polyvinylchloride, nylon, polyester, polystyrene, polyurethane foam, polypropylene.

Polymer Compounds

Why are there so many types of plastic

Reading the last paragraph you may be thinking why are there so many types of plastic with confusing names and what is the difference?

PVC Polyvinylchloride

PVC Polyvinylchloride is a plastic that comes in multiple ways it can come in a strong and durable way  and a soft flexible way. It is heat resistant from 100°c to 260°c and chemically resistant to a lot of chemicals. It’s main downfall is that I’s not very electrically conductive and should only be used for low voltages. It’s main use is in pipes, construction  and some clothing.

Nylon

Nylon is probably the plastic with the least confusing name. It’s very elastic with a high melting point and comes in a variety of colours. It’s main uses are food packing, filaments in toothbrushes and fishing rods and as tools.

Polyester

Polyester is a type of plastic that is durable, stretchy and is resistant to chemicals as well. Also it retains its shape and is weather resistant. It’s main uses are in ropes, some clothing, ropes and a special type of bottle PET bottles.

 

Polystyrene

Polystyrene is a type of plastic that like the rest is strong and resistant to high temperatures. It is  used for things that need a compact rigid design such as plastic cutlery, plastic models and smoke detectors.

Polyurethane foam

Unlike the other plastics this isn’t used for strong purposes but used in more comforting ways such as pillows and mattresses. Though just because it isn’t used for the same things doesn’t mean it isn’t heat resistant to 148 °c and a bit durable.

 

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is light weight stretchy, heat resistance and transparent. Its uses are in things such as plastic cups and Tupperware while also being used as hinges.

 

How to cut down on Plastic Usage

You can help stop pollution by using the recyclable variants of theses plastics and by reusing plastic substances or by using other materials. Only 57% of UK Plastic bottles are recycled while plastic tubs, pots and trays only 30%.