The Importance of Plastic Plastics are modern, synthetic materials' Plastics are oil and gas based,

1
The Importance of Plastic Plastics are modern,
synthetic materials. Plastics are oil and gas
based, and consumes less than four per cent of
our oil and gas reserves. The superior properties
of plastics such as hygienic (clean or free from
disease causing microorganisms) barrier
properties, light weight, and durability
contribute significantly to our health and
quality of life. The tremendous growth of the
plastics industry is expected to continue. The
factors that have contributed to this growth
include the energy efficiency of plastic. All
studies show that it takes less energy to make a
product from plastics than just about any other
material. As plastics continue to demonstrate
that they are a safe and reliable alternative to
traditional materials, new applications will
emerge.
2
Why are there so many different types of
plastics?

• The reason is that the actual type of plastic
  used is determined by the demands of the
  application. For example, if the plastic bottle
  needs to be squeezable, like a mustard bottle,
  then its going to be made of a different plastic
  from one that doesnt need to be squeezable, like
  a milk jug.
• All plastics are not created equal. Some seal in
  moisture or seal out air more effectively than
  others. Some are stronger, some lighter, some
  easier to work with and some are more economical
  than other plastics to process. Each plastic type
  brings a unique blend of properties to the
  packaging design table and has been engineered to
  package a particular type of product. For
  example, PET plastic or 1 plastic, has been
  specially designed to help soft drinks remain
  carbonated. PET or 1 plastic has been designed
  to give an excellent gas and moisture barrier
  making it the ideal choice for other applications
  as well, such as edible oils and salad dressings.

3
Recycling Plastics                        DEQ
promotes recycling and works to develop markets
for recyclables within the state. Recycling of
all plastic bottles is strongly encouraged,
primarily PET 1 and HDPE 2 bottles, because
there are well-established end markets for these
types of plastics. Markets for recyclables are
the key to their success. By building these new
markets for other types of plastics the ease of
recycling all types of plastic will be as visible
as the HDPE 2. Developing local businesses
or "markets" for recyclables is key to successful
long-term recycling in Montana. Establishing
local markets for recycled materials is important
for a number of reasons, including reduced need
to transport collected materials over long
distances, reduced need to import raw materials
and end products, expansion of the local
manufacturing sector, creation of employment
opportunities, preservation of natural resources,
and expansion of the local tax base.
4
Why Is Recycling Plastics Important?

• Recycling and reuse of plastics have the obvious
  benefit of decreasing the amount of used plastics
  that end up in landfills. With increased plastics
  recycling, fewer natural resources need to be
  extracted to produce virgin plastic. Producing
  new plastic from recycled material uses only
  two-thirds of the energy required to manufacture
  it from virgin raw materials. Five 2-liter
  recycled PET bottles produce enough fiberfill to
  make a ski jacket 36 recycled bottles can make 1
  square yard of carpet.
• In addition, a great amount of plastic waste is
  found in the world's oceans. "The world now uses
  230 million pounds of plastic annually.much of
  this is for one-trip packaging that is thrown out
  within a year of production, on average. Because
  the plastic that enters the ocean tends to
  fragment, it is likely to remain in the
  environment for hundreds, if not thousands, of
  years, notes Richard Thompson, a researcher at
  Plymouth University, U.K. who has published two
  studies on plastics in oceans and the effect on
  marine animals.

5
Plastic is not a biological material, plastic
does not biodegrade or decompose.Instead,
plastic photodegrades, meaning it shatters
infinitely into smaller smaller pieces without
actually chemically breaking down. These tiny
particles are called nurdles.
6
How You Can Recycle Plastics

• Go to Recycle.MT.GOV and Visit
• Where To Recycle or go to www.Earth911.org to
  find out what kinds of plastics can be recycled
  in your area.

7
Follow these tips when Recycling Plastics

• Rinse your bottles.
• Remove caps from bottles. Caps are made from a
  different kind of plastic and contaminate the
  plastic.
• Stomping your plastic bottles before placing the
  crushed bottles in the proper recycling bins will
  save your community money. So STOMP IT!
• Check with your recycler to see what kinds of
  plastic they recycle and only put the kinds of
  plastics your recycler accepts in the bin. Also,
  unless your recycler asks for more than bottles,
  only place bottles in recycling containers.

8
(No Transcript)
9

Number 7 PlasticAwareness of plastic 7 (a
chemical known as Bisphenol-A, or BPA) is
currently growing. It is often the container of
choice for reusable plastic water and baby
bottles. The controversial verdict is still out
on the actual health effects of BPA, and
depending on who you ask, the effects range from
harmless to serious health risks. Either way, BPA
is plastic, so recycling is always the best
option if you decide to trade it in for something
new.