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Environmental impact of polymers

Kjersti Wendlandt

What are polymers

polymers are large molecules made by bonding a series of building blocks

polymers are found in practically every setting. these are found in rubber, plastic, nylon, and many of the proteins in our body

Definition of polymers

artificial polymers consist of chain links identical to their neighbor while natural polymers differ

chemical reactions caused by heat and pressure alter the chemical bonds of monomers to form the polymers

Creation of polymers:

Creation of synthetic polymers:

petroleum oil extracted from the environment

carbon-carbon bonds are used as backbone

combination of heat, pressure, and a catalyst are used to form polymer

Why are artificial polymers used?

production is extremely efficient considering both raw materials and energy

consists of useful properties such as impermeability, mechanical strength, and low density

Why are polymers used

resistant to acids and alkalies

polymers are a very versatile group of compounds

maintain chemical inertness- resistance to several forms of chemical degradation

Negative effects of polymers

Polymers property of chemical inertness causes a degradation period of about 500 years

Negative effects of polymers

roughly four percent of the worlds oil production is used for plastic production

plastic production requires the use of additives such as flame retardants, biocides, and plasticizers which are classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic

plastic never fully break down rather it breaks into smaller pieces

Of the plastic produced between 1950 and 2015 , only 9 percent was recycled

Solutions

originally plastic was created from cellulose which has the capability to decompose

Solutions

researchers are currently developing materials that have better capability to be recycled and broken down

"In Brantford, Ontario, employs a thermocatalytic process to turn plastic into waxes for asphalt roads and roofs." (Lemonick, Sam)

“The design of the monomer is the key for developing chemically recyclable polymers with high depolymerization selectivity and useful materials properties,” (Chen, Eugene)

A future without plastic

circular economies and decentralized production- economy would be centralized on local resources rather than imports

Future without plastic

water becomes a completely zero waste industry

increase in bio based plastic alternatives that consist of polymers made of forestry residue rather than fossil fuels.

packaging free stores emerging selling food in bulk and having customers bring in their own containers

Sources

Farber, Bibi. “Toward A Plastic-Free Future.” Earth Island Journal, 2017, www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/toward_a_plastic-free_future/.

Lemonick, Sam. “Chemistry May Have Solutions to Our Plastic Trash Problem.” Chemical & Engineering News, American Chemical Society, 6 July 2018, cen.acs.org/environment/pollution/Chemistry-solutions-plastic-trash-problem/96/i25.

Perkins, Sid. “Explainer: What Are Polymers?” Science News for Students, 22 Apr. 2020, www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-what-are-polymers.

“A Polymer Problem: How Plastic Production and Consumption Is Polluting Our Oceans.” Georgetown Law, 2019, www.law.georgetown.edu/environmental-law-review/blog/a-polymer-problem-how-plastic-production-and-consumption-is-polluting-our-oceans/.

Sykora, David. “Synthetic Polymer.” Synthetic Polymer - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, 2003, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/synthetic-polymer.

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