Plastic , lightweight- long lasting- versatile -economical - material which has replaced paper, wood ,glass, metal from packaging , consumer products & industrial products.
"Say No To Plastic" is fancy slogan . But fact is one cannot spend a day without use of this material.
Plastic is inert neutral material , its people who do not dispose it responsibly that creates lot of environmental problem.
Its better to understand Plastic so we can use it smartly.
Plastic is petroleum derivative. When crude oil is refined Naptha, Petrol , Kerosene , Diesel & many other products are made in refinery. By further processing Naptha & host of other chemicals by polymerization process plastic raw material is made.
There are more than 100 grades of plastic some of which are ....
ABS - it replaces many metals in industrial products
High Density Polyethylene : Bottles ,
Low Density Polyethylene : soft squeeze bottles.
Polypropylene : plastic chairs , food containers etc
Polycarbonate - can be transparent like glass & shatterproof. Feeding bottles are made of this material.
Plastic polymers are processed using many different processes to give it desired shape & utility.
• Extrusion : Making sheets , pipes, films
• Injection molding : making plastic caps, chairs , bins , switches, car bumpers, tooth brush, button, pen, disposable syringes etc.
• Blow moulding : Bottles , fuel tanks
• Rotational Molding : Water tanks , garden play slides , dolls etc.
• Compression molding : electrical accessories,
• Stretch Blow molding : soft drink bottles & mineral water bottle
• vacuum forming : disposable cups ,trays,glasses etc.
Normally plastic raw materials are colorless. While processing colors are added to give them any desired color.
Once made , plastic products are decorated using Painting, Screen printing, Pad printing, Embossing, Plating, Labeling
Most of plastic is recyclable.
So after product is worn out & disposed responsibly , it again can be given a new shape & is able to serve user for a longer time.
Environment problem is created by people who do not dispose plastic properly & poor waste management systems which prevents recycling of plastic.
Being lightweight plastic reduces weight of packaging & fuel while transporting packaged water or shampoo for example.
Plastic saves forest by replacing wood in chairs.
Plastic Thermoware helps keep food warm , saves reheating energy & prevents loss of nutrients.
Plastic saves lives by preventing infections through use of disposable syringes.
Saves hassle & makes life convenient.
Petrol ,Diesel are 100% non recyclable.
We do not say no to them.
Thermal & Nuclear Electricity 100% non recyclable.
We do not say no to them.
Saying No to Plastic is saying no to modern life.
Say YES & use plastic bags responsibly.
Happily Yours,
Sadananda Sahu |