JKG SAN JOSE
IntroductionPlastic
Types of PlasticsResin Number
Hazards of Plastic
Plastic is a bi-product of petroleum. Every year we are producing thousand of tons of plastic products in the form of packing materials, disposable items
like toys, cigarette lighter, torches, etc. Hazards of plastic is a growing
major concern of environmental researchers worldwide.
INTRODUCTION
What is plastic?
Plastics are polymers (meaning
"many parts" in Greek), which are basically substances or molecules
made up of many repeating molecular units, known as
monomers (meaning "one part" in Greek).
What is plastic?
ethylene
polyethylene
monomer
What is plastic?
polymer
The term "plastic" derives from the Greek "plastikos,"
meaning fit for molding, and "plastos," meaning
molded.
A plastic is made up principally of a binder
together with plasticizers, fillers, pigments, and other
additives.
What is plastic?
PIGMENTS are used to impart various colors.
FILLERS are added to improve particular properties, e.g., hardness or resistance to shock.
PLASTICIZERS are added to a binder to increase flexibility and toughness.
The BINDER gives a plastic its main characteristics and usually its name. Binder materials consist of very long
chainlike molecules called polymers.
Thermoplastics
ThermoplasticThermosetting
Types of plastic
THERMOPLASTICScan be repeatedly softened and remolded by heat and pressure.THERMOSETTINGcannot be resoftened after being subjected to heat and pressure
Thermosettings
Resin number
The SPI resin identification coding
system is a set of symbols placed on
plastics to identify the polymer type.
The primary purpose of the codes is to allow efficient
separation of different polymer types for recycling. Separation must be efficient because the plastics must be
recycled separately. Even one item of the wrong type of
resin can ruin a mix.
PET
Resin number
HDPEVLDPEPPPSOTHER
RESIN NUMBER
RESIN NUMBER
PLASTIC HAZARDS
Plastics are NON-BIODEGRADABLE materials. Their molecular structure is too large for
microorganisms to consume.
PLASTIC HAZARDS
Burning plastics releases toxic chemicals like hydrochloric acid, which releases chlorine, which is then available to form dioxins.
PLASTIC HAZARDS
Workers in the plastic industry run an increased risk of getting various
health hazards including cancer.
PLASTIC HAZARDS
Millions of animals, sea birds, and sea mammals die each year after
ingesting plastic or getting entangled by plastic debris.
PLASTIC HAZARDS
Drainage and sewage system get blocked by plastic wastes.
Plastic hazards
Economically damaging to the tourist industry.
So what can we do?
Act now before it’s too late!