Casey Jane P.

Aguilar

9 September 2013

BSChE 3 Chem 85 A
Discussion Paper: Plastics
Our food containers, eating utensils, and the things we usually use daily have plastics. So what are plastics?
Plastics are defined as the wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable. Typically, they
are organic polymers of high molecular mass but often contain other substances. They are characterized as being
light weight, having high corrosion resistance, high strength-to-weight ratios, and low melting points. Plastics have
different classifications depending on its use. First are soft plastics in which they are extremely light and an example
of this is a plastic bag. Second are hard plastics which are strong and durable like plastic chairs. There are also
classified as thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers. Thermoplastics are plastics that do not undergo chemical
change in their composition when heated and can be molded again and again. Thermosetting polymers or
thermosets can melt and take shape once; after they have solidified, they stay solid. The reaction occurred in the
thermosets is not reversible. Plastics are also used in surgery usually in fixing your physical appearance or fixing your
broken leg. Practically, plastics are very useful and essential to our lives but they are also harmful to us and
especially to our environment.
Why are they harmful? How? These questions might just popped on your mind wondering. Plastics can be
harmful in many ways. First, plastics can be toxic. Plastics contain a variety of additives which can be toxic.
Generally, pure plastics have low toxicity due to their insolubility in water and because they are biochemically inert,
due to a large molecular weight but the addition of leachates and plasticizers might add to the toxicity of plastics.
Second happens during the disposal of the plastics in which they are burned or recycled wrongly. In the case of
burning of plastics, this can lead to the destruction of our ozone layer leading to global warming due to its carbon
emissions. Another is that they release toxic chemicals and heavy metals leading to pollution and toxicity which
harms the human health and the environment. Also when plastics are not disposed properly, this can lead to
contamination of water and destruction of plant and animal life. Also not disposing them properly leads to
accumulation of trash and may be the cause of floods.
More of its advantages and disadvantages of plastics, first on its advantages are: it is strong, good and
cheap to produce; it is a recycling process and does not decompose, it is odorless and can be created again to
another product. Its disadvantages are: it is a nonrenewable source, it is difficult to dispose and some plastics cause
cancer.
In this juncture, my stand towards plastics is not derogatory. I think the usage of plastics is okay but proper
recycling and disposal should be implemented. Also the production of biodegradable plastics may also help reduce
waste since plastics takes hundreds of years to decompose. Plastics should also be non-toxic to reduce its risks on
human health and plant and animal life. To reduce its carbon emissions and pollution to the environment, incineration
of plastics should be minimized. This also leads to the reduction of toxic. Plastics are good, in fact they are really
essential based on its usage on the world today but it is not used and disposed properly thus leading to these harmful
effects causing a wide eye opener to the people. Thus, discipline and good habits should be practiced so we could
practice good recycling and disposal and also research to improve plastics and its properties.

References:
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic (Date Accessed: 8 September 2013)

http://www.eurekarecycling.org/page.cfm?ContentID=126 (Date Accessed: 8 September 2013)
http://www.toolingu.com/definition-500240-3687-plastic.html (Date Accessed: 8 September 2013)
http://diesmiling.hubpages.com/hub/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-using-Plastics (Date Accessed: 8

5.

September 2013)
http://www.ustudy.in/node/8044 (Date Accessed: 8 September 2013)