Banning plastics will lead to devastating environmental effects
Polymer Engineering Ph.D. Kim Ragaert, Professor of Materials Science and Polymer Processing at the University of Ghent (Belgium), presented a TEDx talk entitled ‘Plastics Rehab’.
Within the talk, she seeks to raise awareness to stop the blind war against plastic, for this she suggests rehabilitating thinking about waste and reuse. The researcher proposes to change the way we see plastic and return to the benefits it brings to contemporary society.
Why is it that metals, which do not degrade in the environment, are blamed? -Kim Ragaert
Plastics are extremely light materials. The chemical composition of polymers has half the density of glass and a density similar to paper, but they are much stronger and reusable. Thanks to its properties, the manufacture of plastics consumes much less resources. The energy to make a glass bottle is much greater than that required to make a plastic bottle containing the same amount of liquid. In conclusion, the plastic manufacturing and recycling system is, globally, infinitely more efficient than that of glass.
On the other hand, when comparing the plastic bag with a paper one, in order to transport the same weight, 20 grams of virgin plastic are needed compared to 50 grams of recycled paper. However, paper requires much more energy and natural resources to manufacture and recycle. That is why the best option is the reusable plastic bag that with 20 uses allows to generate positive environmental benefits.
Focusing on banning plastics will have devastating environmental effects, as making products with the same functionalities will double or triple. In other words, we will replace plastic with less sustainable alternatives and there will be the paradox that the impact on the environment will be much greater, the opposite effect that was sought.
The consumer has the last word to avoid negative impact on the environment. The proposed alternative is found in recyclable products, especially those that contain recycled and recovered material through well-defined and sustainable processes.
