Plastic and

Environment
By Shahzaib Ahmed
Outline
• Introduction

• What is Plastic

• History of Plastic

• Plastic Society

• Why Plastic

• Positive Side of Plastic

• Negative Side of Plastic

• Effect of Plastic

• 3 R’s

• Prevent Plastic Pollution

• Conclusion
Introduction
History is shaped by the materials we develop and use. Some
15,000 years ago, we learned how to get iron from its ore, and the
Stone Age became the Iron Age.
Centuries later, we mixed copper and tin, and the Iron Age became
the Bronze Age.
But previous changes were never as radical as the one we are
experiencing now, in the first century of the Polymer Age.
What is Plastic
The word plastic was derived from the words plasticus(Latin for
‘capable of moulding’) and plastikos (Greek for ‘fit for
moulding’).
Plastics are polymers (synthetic or natural).The plastic is
basically formless material which can be molded under heat and
pressure.
History Of Plastic
•  The first plastic was invented in 1862 by Alexander Parkes.
• At first plastics could only be made in brown or black (Bakelite) color.
• In 1930’s, ‘Amino Plastics’ had been invented which could be made in lots of
bright colors.
Plastic Society
We live in a plastic society. Many things around us are plastic.
Could you go for a day without plastic?
Toothbrush, clothing, food containers, cooking spatulas, pans,
bottled water, automobile parts, bicycle parts, eyeglasses, iPod,
calculator, mouse, computer parts, printer, stapler, headphones,
TV, clock, flash memory housing, Usb connector, keyboard,
shoes, backpack parts, cell phone, credit cards..
Positive side of Plastic
or
Why Plastic
Why Plastic ?
•  Plastics are strong, light weight, flexible and durable.
• Plastics show superior optical properties ( clarity, gloss and
color).
• Plastics can be easily molded into a variety of shapes and
sizes. Plastics have excellent properties
• Plastics are relatively cheap compared to tin, glass and steel.
Plastics are reusable and recyclable.
• Plastics have long use life.
Positive side of Plastic
• Plastics are good electrical / heat insulators.
• Plastics do not corrode or decay.
• Plastics are cheap and dispensable.
• Plastics are resistant to chemicals, water or grease.
• Plastics can either be non- biodegradable or degrade very
slowly
 EFFECTS OF
PLASTIC ON OUR
ENVIRONMENT
Negative Side Of Plastic
• Plastics are flammable and release toxic fumes when burned.
• Plastics can contaminate foods with dangerous chemical compounds.
• Plastics usually have low melting points and therefore expand with heat.
• Plastics are not as strong as metals.
EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
• Soil fertility is also affected due to plastic material as it forms part of manure
remaining in the soil for years without natural degradation.
• Death of animals due to suffocation, stomach and intestine related diseases due
to improper disposal of plastic.
EFFECTS OF PLASTIC ON OUR ENVIRONMENT
• Pollution of environment by by disposing of the plastic waste and chemicals
used in the process of manufacturing plastic material into nearby water
channels and open spaces.
• Littering of the landfills and other open spaces with plastic garbage becomes
unhygienic and ugly. • Plastic waste is finding its way into the rivers, oceans
and seas of the world due to which the rich marine life is facing serious health
hazards
 A FEW THINGS THAT CAN BE
DONE TO LIMIT THE HARMFUL
EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH
PLASTICS ARE AS FOLLWS:
 3 R’s
The Three R’s
REUSE: Try not to buy a new product. Try and use the one you already have.
REDUCE: Only take the amount you will use. Try to use stuff so you have trash to
get rid of later.
RECYCLE: Use products that can be reused. Place recyclable in the recycling bin.
Ways to Prevent
Plastic Pollution
Conclusion
Ways to Prevent Plastic Pollution
Bring your own reusable grocery bags with you when you go to the store. • Say no to
single serving packaging, buy in bulk and share with friends instead. • Avoid plastics that
are not readily recyclable. • Use a reusable container instead of sandwich bags.
It has been observed, to reduce bad effects of waste plastics, it is better to recycle and re-
utilize waste plastics in environment- friendly manners. In addition to reducing the
amount of plastics waste requiring disposal, recycling and reuse of plastic can have
several other advantages, such as:
A) Reduced consumption of energy.
B)Reduced amounts of solid waste going to landfill.
The End