Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Presentation Outline Brief overview of conventional plastics and associated environmental concerns. Overview of major types of green plastics. Comparison of green plastics and conventional plastics in relation to major environmental concerns. Presentation of original data on conventional and green plastics in relation to buoyancy and degradation in sea water, acute toxicity of leachate, MFO induction.
Conventional Plastics
Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) High density Polyethylene (HDPE) Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Low density Polyethylene (LDPE) Polypropylene (PP) Polystyrene (PS) Nylons Polymethyl methacrylate ABS plastic
O T H E R
Clear bottles for beverages, cooking oil, cleaners Toys, plastic bags, food & beverage bottles and tubs Pipes, well liners, IV bags, food & beverage bottles Shopping bags, trash bags, film packaging, bottles Tupperware, rope, food tubs & bottles Hard plastic, insulation, cutlery, clear trays, packaging Fabric, rope, netting Hard, clear plastic Plexiglas Pipes, car parts, toys, LEGO
Polytetrafluoroethylene Teflon" Polyvinylacetate Melamine-formaldehyde Silicone/Synthetic Rubber (various types) Nalgene polycarbonate Urea-formaldehyde resins
Over time, these processes lead to embrittlement, fragmentation and eventual biodegradation of plastics, but the process takes centuries. As a result, persistent plastic is accumulating in our landfills, oceans, soils and food chain. Persistence plastic debris has major impacts on the marine ecosystem.
Teflon releases toxic chemicals when heated. Toxic releases during plastic production. Small molecules can leach out of the plastic: Unreacted monomers some (styrene, vinyl chloride) are toxic Production chemicals - may include solvents, catalysts, lubricants, additives which speed setting time, etc. Additives Can make up as much as 50% of the final product Not part of the polymer structure - loosely bound and can leach out. Most of these additives are not well tested or regulated. These include dyes, plasticizers, stabilizers, anti-static agents, flame retardants, etc.
Polycarbonate (Nalgene) Bisphenol A (BPA) Teflon pans, stain Perfleurochemicals (PFCs) resistant coatings
To be a viable alternative, green plastics must: Possess and maintain appropriate performance properties during anticipated life of the product. Be processed using existing technology/equipment. Be produced at a competitive price.
Lactic acid is produced by fermentation of sugar. A solvent-free melt process is used to synthesize a lactic acid polymer. Fully degradable, but degrades poorly at
less than 60C (ocean) Non-toxic and can be recycled
Generally good performance characteristics: PLA is naturally clear, and can be formulated to be rigid or flexible and formed using most conventional techniques and equipment (films, sheets, fibers, molds)
Production cost has been prohibitive, but with oil prices on the rise, and recent innovations leading to reduced costs, interest in this polymer has increased Large plant recently constructed in Nebraska (300 million lbs PLA/yr.)
Polycaprolactone (PCL)
fully biodegradable, degrades in human body (used for sutures), non-toxic Compatible with starch and a range of other resins used as a plasticizer for PVC A number of other related products from fossil fuels mostly produced in Japan/Korea.
NatureWorksTM - Starch/PLA
Fully biodegradable, non-toxic, renewable source
Capron
Blend of Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with Polycaprolactone (PCL)
Source
Nonrenewable
Toxicity
Persistence
Density
g/cm3
Buoyancy Sinks Floats Sinks Floats Floats Sinks, but may remain in water column Floats
Extremely buoyant
0.0017 and up
PE Sobeys bag
PE + UV Prodegradant
PE + starch
Distilled H2O
Exposed Control
4.35 0.07
Work conducted by Jacqueline Guiney, Anne Mathieu (Oceans Ltd.) & St. Johns ACAP
Control 1
Conclusions More research is needed on all plastics, particularly in relation to their toxicity and fate in the environment. Conventional plastics are a serious environmental concern and green plastics offer a good alternative for many applications.
Wide range of products being marketed as green. Need to evaluate based on more than the companys promotional material. There is strong disagreement on whether conventional plastics can ever completely biodegrade, even in the presence of prodegradant additives.