Miracle Material
Leo Baekeland first invented plastic in 1907. It was mostly used for non-conducting parts of telephones, radios and other electrical devices. Over the next 100 years many different forms of plastic were developed and so we became the plastic generation. Some of the miracle materials developed included nylon, vinyl, polystyrene, plexiglass, polyester, acrylic and many more.
Pretty plastic flowers that will last for hundreds of years…
World War 2 saw plastic production in the United States increase by 300% as Americans used plastic in everything from parachutes to aircraft windows. At the end of the war the surge in plastic production continued & plastic began to take the place of steel in cars, paper & glass in packaging and wood in furniture Plastic was a miracle material; cheap, safe & sanitary and could be shaped by humans for their every whim. We became the plastic generation dedicated to plastic generation.
Why do we want to know the history of plastic I hear you ask? It’s simple really…
Because it’s not history!
Plastic is Permanent
As early as the 1960 ‘s plastic optimism began to wane. People began to observe plastic debris in the oceans. Since then 8 BILLION (yes billion) tons of plastic has been generated and most of it is disposable. As plastic takes more than 400 years to degrade it is safe to say that most of the items manufactured from plastic are still with us.
Single-use plastics pollution
Two years ago scientists at the University of Georgia began to study plastic waste. Their study published recently revealed that
- 12% of plastic waste is incinerated
- 9% is recycled
- 79% goes to landfill or turns up as litter
So only 9% of all plastics we have ever produced have been recycled. And half of all plastics manufactured become rubbish within a year. These statistics are astounding but they reinforce the reality that we are drowning in plastic.
The Truth about Recycling
So, why aren’t we recycling? Well firstly, much of the plastic used in packaging for example isn’t recyclable. Polypropylene and other plastics like it are typically used in single-use items such as straws & crisp packets because they are cheap to manufacture. Unfortunately, they are not easily recycled.
Multi-colored single-use plastics
Secondly there are thousands of different types of plastic. Different combinations of dyes & additives are added to produce desired colour, shape & texture. Various types of plastic mean various melting points and other properties. And when you have different combinations in one item it renders it useless for manufacturing.
The third reason we’re not recycling (as much as we think we are) is that plastic resin has limited value. Every time it is reheated its quality degrades. Consequently, we can only reprocess most plastics once before they go to landfill.
It is also worth noting, that when we collect & remanufacture plastic we are only delaying it’s disposal.
The final destination for all plastics is either incineration or landfill.
Unsustainable Industry
These bales of plastic are ready to be shipped around the world. Twice!
The 9% of plastic that is recycled is washed, squashed, made into bales, loaded onto container ships & sent half way across the planet to be turned into plastic pellets. Once recycled we ship it around the world again, and make it into plastic toys, straws, packaging etc. We are wasting precious resources & burning fossil fuels unnecessarily. The impact on the environment and human health tells us that this industry is unsustainable for the future. It’s time for serious change.
Reduce your plastic use by:
Choosing cardboard containers
Carrying reusable grocery bags
Shop waste free
Choose fresh veg over frozen
Carry a reusable coffee cup
Switch to bamboo toothbrushes
Buy reusable razors & blades
Carry a reusable straw
EcoGirl
XX
We are EcoStraws; an Irish company with a passion for the planet.
EcoStraws.ie supply a complete range of eco-friendly reusable straws and 100% biodegradable disposable straws, as well as other associated products. Our stock of reusable eco-friendly straws include Stainless Steel, Glass, Bamboo and Silicone straws. Our biodegradable EcoStraws are available in Wheat, PLA, and Paper, and we even stock Edible Straws so you can have your straw and eat it too!
By choosing our products you are making a difference. By sharing our message you are helping to educate. EcoStraws/EcoCups help us to live in harmony with the natural world around us. Our ethos helps us to protect it from damage and destruction.
Why not join our mailing list right here –
