find out the ways that would balance both the usefulness and the problems of plastics.
Answers
Answer:
Advantages of Plastics
The growth in the use of plastic is due to its beneficial properties which include:
Extreme versatility and ability to be tailored to meet specific technical needs.
Lighter weight than competing materials reduces fuel consumption during transportation.
Good safety and hygiene properties for food packaging.
Durability and longevity
Resistance to chemicals, water and impact.
Excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties
Comparatively lesser production cost
Unique ability to combine with other materials like aluminum foil, paper, adhesives
Far superior aesthetic appeal.
The material of choice – Human lifestyle and plastic inseparable.
Intelligent features, smart materials and smart systems.
Disadvantages of Plastics
Plastics production also involved the use of potentially harmful chemicals which are added as stabilizers or colourants. Many of these have not undergone environmental risk assessment and their impact on human health and the environment is currently uncertain.
Such an example is phthalates which are used in the manufacture of PVC. PVC has in the past been used in toys for young children and there have been concerns that phthalates may be released when these toys are sucked. Risk assessment of the effects of phthalates on the environment is currently being carried out. The disposal of plastics products also contributes significantly to their environmental impact.
Most plastics are non-degradable, and they may take a long time to break down once they are landfilled. With more and more plastic products, particularly plastics packaging, being disposed of soon after their purchase, the landfill space required by plastics waster is a growing concern.