Karen A. Beitler
The "fuss" isn't about polymer use – the fuss is about the toll polymers and their manufacturing process is taking on the earth. Many polymers take years to break down and their use (or overuse) has caused irreversible changes in ecosystems. Polymers seem to be designed to throw away but their physical make up suggests they will last forever.
Classification
In an effort to categorize and thus encourage recycling polymers from hydrocarbons are stamped with a recycling "triangle' that contains a number identifying the type of plastic. Most people think this triangle means that the plastic is easily recycled. For number 1 type plastics, polyethylene (PET or PETE) use for mouthwash containers, soda bottles, salad dressing containers, plastic food jars and water bottles this is generally true. Number 2-type plastics high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is also accepted at most recycling centers (Milk jugs, snack food containers, laundry detergent containers, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles). Numbers 3-7 aren't so easy to recycle. Number 3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), used to make cooking oil bottles, shower curtains, medical tubing, pipes and pipefittings. Number 4 is low-density polyethylene (LDPE). LDPE is often colored and used to make grocery bags, meat and vegetable bags, and sandwich, or storage bags. Plastic wrap and squeezable bottles are also number 4.
Polypropylene (PP) is number 5, this plastic is often found colored or printed on. Examples are yogurt, butter, whipped topping and gelatin containers, plastic tubs for food and syrup bottles. Number 6 is polystyrene (PS), the 'to go' contain plastic is found in a cups, bowls, plates and containers. Egg cartons and packing peanuts are also made from polystyrene. Number 7 plastics are all other plastics and are often mixtures. Some things stamped with the number 7 are baby bottles, cell phones, CD's, fast food beverage containers and sports water bottles. This 'resin code' merely indicates the type of plastic used, thus far it doesn't help in determining how fast a plastic will breakdown or the number of times it can be recycled.
Damage
While the recycling of these polymers is certainly necessary and helpful, currently it has not been enough to stop the alternation of ecosystems. Humans have adversely affected millions of species of insects, fish, animals and plant life by alternating natural products to service our own needs. Our oceans have immense plastic dumps, larger than the state of Texas, that are forever altering the ocean habitat. To meet the environmental challenges posed by plastics, polymer chemists continue to research new methods of recycling, and of using recycled plastic, however most state and local governments don't support recycling because it is not a cost effective endeavor in today's world.
Oceanographers and marine scientists studying the conditions of the ocean have found that plastics that have been dumped into the waters are causing many problems for wild life and ultimately for humans as well. Fish are ending up with more and more plastic pieces in their gut, of course, this provides the fish with no nutrition because their systems cannot breakdown the plastic and can cause a potential blockage. The main concern is that the volume is increasing, causing more and more deaths by obstruction, starvation and ecosystem destruction. Recently, marine scientists troubled by an increase in hard-substrate plastics in ecosystems where it is naturally rare, are collecting more and more evidence against the dumping of plastic in to the ocean. Plastic in the ocean not only increases movement of organic pollutants and alien species but may also increase insect populations. One study found that insect populations of Halobates sericeus increased with the amount of plastic waste in the last four decades. This skimmer insect is a large part of the sunlit ocean ecosystem and serves as both predator and prey. An abundance or a shortage of this insect upsets the natural balance of the ecosystem and could cause a chain reaction of changes in the system that are harmful.
Possible Solutions
The facts are that polymers break down much more slowly than natural materials. This poses a huge problem because most of the polymers we use are made for throwing away. This causes vast amounts of trash that is filling landfills and polluting waterways. Half of all polyester carpet made in the United States is made from recycled plastic (PET) and polystyrene is not recyclable. If people were made aware of these facts, there would be less demand for the products of these polymers and industry would need to develop more sustainable materials. For years beverages only came in glass bottles. Glass doesn't wear out and can be recycled over and over again. If the public only bought drinks in glass bottle and refused the plastic then beverage companies would return to using glass bottles. Some people think if bottle deposit laws were stronger and more prevalent throughout the United States then there would be less litter. Switching back to glass would help reduce the plastic bottle pollution.
Another easy solution to polymer pollution is to return to paper for cups, bowls and plates. Recycled paper for on-the-go foods and beverages would address two problems – what to do with all those tons of office paper and would replace polystyrene. Then maybe 500 years from now only a few Styrofoam cups will be in our landfills and oceans. The best tool we have is education. The recent scare about BPA in plastic water bottle cause the industry to make 'BPA-free' plastic bottles. It is interesting to note that this made a "new" plastic bottle, does that mean other plastics won't migrate into our food and water? While glass may break and metal is heavy and cumbersome, it may be the benefits outweigh the inconvenience when the list of harm caused may extend into other generations. Another solution may be on our horizon, as technology continues to advance, our ability to see different solutions expands.