Yil Me Hu Spring 2024 - Nisqually Salmon Recovery Newsletter
Discourage to use plastic
1.
2. Simple Overview
Definition Of Plastic
Invention of plastic
Types of Plastic and Their Recycle Codes
What Are indicated by SPI Codes
Quantity of plastic the world produces
Most Concerning Issue
Negative Impact of Plastic
Why is plastic harmful?
The ways to Stop Using Plastic
Alternative Solutions
Conclusion
3. Definition Of Plastic
A synthetic material made from a wide range of organic
polymers such as polyethylene, PVC, nylon, etc., that can be
molded into shape while soft, and then set into a rigid or
slightly elastic form.
A plastic is a type of synthetic or man-made polymer; similar
in many ways to natural resins found in trees and other
plants. Webster's Dictionary defines polymers as: any of
various complex organic compounds produced by
polymerization, capable of being molded, extruded, cast into
various shapes and films, or drawn into filaments and then
used as textile fibers.
4. Invention of plastic
Alexander Parkes, an English inventor (1813-1890), created
early form of plastic in 1855.
It was hard but flexible and transparent. He called it
"Parkesine" but now it is called "Celluloid
The world's first fully synthetic plastic was bakelite,
invented in New York in 1907, by Leo Baekeland who
coined the term 'plastics’
Many chemists have contributed to the materials science of
plastics
5. Types of Plastic and Their Recycle Codes
1) Polyethylene terephthalate
(PET or PETE)
2) High-density polyethylene
(HDPE)
3) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
4) Low-density polyethylene
(LDPE)
5) Polypropylene (PP)
6) Polystyrene (PS
7) Other types of
plastic
6. Indication by SPI Codes
• SPI Code 1
Plastic marked with an SPI code of 1 is made with polyethylene
terephthalate. These containers sometimes absorb odors and flavors
from foods and drinks that are stored inside them. These types of
containers are applicable for single use only.
• SPI Code 2
The SPI code of 2 identifies plastic made with high-density
polyethylene. These products are very safe and are not known to leach
any chemicals into foods or drinks. Due to the risk of contamination,
it’s not safe to reuse an HDPE bottle as a food or drink container In
other words, keep the shampoo bottles out of your kitchen cabinet.
7. Indication by SPI Codes
SPI Code 3
Plastic labeled with an SPI code of 3 is made with polyvinyl
chloride. This kind of plastic should not come in contact with
food items as it is a dangerous, toxic chemical. PVC is in many
everyday objects, but it’s mostly for industrial use in the
plumbing and construction sectors.
SPI Code 4 Plastic marked with an SPI code of 4 is made
with low-density polyethylene. This plastic tends to be both
durable and flexible. It also does not release harmful chemicals
into objects, making it a safe choice for food storage.
8. Indication by SPI Codes
SPI Code 5
SPI code of 5 on plastic items made with polypropylene. PP can be
recycled, but is not as accepted as PETE or HDPE. This type of plastic is
strong and can usually withstand higher temperatures.
SPI Code 6
SPI code of 6 is made with polystyrene. PS can be recycled, but not
efficiently; recycling it takes a lot of energy, which means that few places
accept it. This is why it’s a good idea to invest in a reusable mug for our
daily life.
SPI Code 7
The SPI code of 7 is used to designate miscellaneous types of plastic that
are not defined by the other six codes.
12. Most Concerning Issues
The usage of plastic is increasing exponentially from the last
century.
– Records showed that the amount of plastic made in the first
10 years of 21stcentury is equal to the amount of plastic
made in the whole 20thcentury.
– Overall, approximately 80 percent of ocean plastics come
from land-based sources, and 20 percent from marine.
– The Ocean Conservancy reported that China, Indonesia,
Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam dump more plastic in
the sea than all other countries combined.
13. Most Concerning Issues
Globally, one million plastic bottles are purchased every
minute.
A report produced by the World Economic Forum (2018)
found that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in
the world's oceans due to 13 million tons of plastic ending
up in the ocean each year.
Most used plastic materials are non-biodegradable and
decompose at different rates. Managing plastic waste is
increasingly becoming a global environmental and economic
challenge
14. Negative Impact of Plastic
• Toxicity Companies utilize several toxic substances to create plastic to the designed hardness – the
problem though is that plastics are susceptible to heat damage and cannot withstand a sudden drastic
increase in temperature. And as the temperature rises, this can cause the plastic to release harmful
substances in the form of noxious gases. This is why it is advised that you recycle your plastic
containers after usage and do not reuse the same often, as this can cause the plastic to decompose after
a while and in the process, release these toxic substances into the environment.
• Pollution Currently we utilize plastic in almost everything and naturally our garbage collection points
are overflowing with plastic waste, from bottles to plastic bags. The problem though is that plastic is
extremely durable and meant to last anywhere from 50 to 1000 years. In other words, we need to find
an effective way to dispose of the plastic for the moment it is causing widespread pollution that has
started to affect even natural food chains with obvious consequences.
• Energy A recent study clearly highlighted the fact that it costs the US taxpayer more to manufacture
plastic bottles and to recycle the same. In fact, it was estimated that the amount of energy taken to
manufacture bottled drinking water should be enough to power nearly 190000 homes all year around.
That should help put things in perspective and underscore our need for a viable alternative.
• Suffocation As landfills fill up, plastic eventually finds its way to the ocean and at various points; the
plastic garbage has formed a sort of cover that’s almost the size of Africa which is staggering indeed.
With more plastic refuse being added to such Gyres daily, it is literally choking the life out of our
oceans and suffocating the organisms within. It
15. Why is plastic harmful?
• Plastic Never Goes Away
• Plastic Affects Human Health
• Plastic Spoils Our
• Plastic Attracts Other Pollutants.
• Plastic poisons our food chain.
• Plastic Pollution as A Cause of Climate Change
16. The ways to Stop Using Plastic
• Avoiding Plastic Packaging
• Stop Using Plastic Bags
• Try Not to Buy Food That Is Packaged in Plastic
• Consider Making Food That You Cannot Find Without
Plastic Packaging
• Educate Own self About How Plastic Bags Affect the World
• If you have any plastic bags at home, reuse them
17. Alternative Solutions
Plastic-eating enzyme created by scientists that is capable of
breaking down plastic bottles could help solve pollution.
Besides these
jutes, paper,
stone, wood,
Palm leaves,
banana leaves
made bags and
reusable things
can be used as
an alternative
of plastic.
18. Conclusion
• Bangladesh, which became the first country in the world to ban
polythene bags in 2002, made a voluntary commitment last year at
the Ocean Conference in New York to significantly prevent and
reduce marine pollution by 2025. To beat plastic pollution, we need
to entirely redesign or rethink our behaviors relating to the
consumption and production of plastic.
• we need to change our existing corporate culture and behaviors
relating to the use of plastics. In our offices and workplaces, we
should ban the use of single-use plastic and packaging materials.
• If plastic pollution continues at the current pace, Bangladeshis will be
living on islands of plastic. It is time for research and investment to
lead to suitable, environmentally-friendly and affordable alternatives
to plastic. Let's beat plastic pollution.