Plastic: friend of development and enemy of sustainability

Plastic...a friend of development and an enemy of sustainability

Global concerns are increasing day after day about the issue of climate change and other critical issues related to it, which has resulted - in consequence - in a significant increase in focus on applying sustainable development concepts in all aspects of life, as one of the most promising solutions in confronting the crises the world is going through, not only at the level of the environment and climate.

The special file for this issue deals with one of the most controversial issues, which is the “plastic” issue. An attempt by us to give a complete picture of the nature of this industry, and to highlight the vital role it plays in our daily lives, while highlighting the negative aspects, their effects, and the most common solutions available to deal with them, and discussing the most prominent opportunities and challenges facing this industry from a broader perspective.

A cultural revolution led by plastic

No one denies this fact: “Plastic is indispensable in our modern lives.” That is why we findPlastic everywhere around us, whether your eyes can see it or not. Since its discovery in the mid-nineteenth century, plastic has proven day after day that it is the ideal material for many uses. On the one hand, it is considered a relatively cheap material, and on the other hand, it is considered a suitable alternative to wood, glass, and even some metals and other manufacturing materials.

We will not be exaggerating if we say: Life in the twenty-first century without plastic is unimaginable. The reality is that plastic products are present everywhere around us, and are an integral part of our lives: we eat with them, sleep on them, learn with them, save lives with them, wear them, recycle them, raise our children with them, and much more in our homes, offices, and communities.

Plastic represents, on average, about 15 percent of the total weight of automobile manufacturing materials, a quarter of the weight of smartphone manufacturing materials, and half the weight of airplanes. In addition, it is an essential component of many value-added chains, including packaging, healthcare, construction, logistics, clothing, housewares and furniture, modern plumbing and pipes, and more recently recycling.

Plastics have a vital role in advancing industrial development towards creating job opportunities and developing new products. This is all for the sake of improving human life, but the more plastic is used, the greater the environmental and social costs and burdens.

We are a society that spends too much time and resources manufacturing virgin plastic into amazing products, while neglecting to reuse or recycle post-consumer plastic. While we recycle a small percentage of the total plastics we produce each year, the remaining large amount makes its way into oceans and cities, causing harm to marine life and affecting the quality of wildlife.

The chemistry behind plastics

Plastic - which is also called “plastics” - consists primarily of “polymers”, and a polymer is a chemical chain consisting of a group of connected repeating molecules, each of which is called a “monomer”. The way these chains are linked to each other - as well as the type of molecules that make up each chain - controls the type and properties of the material, and determines the optimal use. For her.

To simplify the matter, you can imagine a single polymer as a train, and this train consists of many similar carts connected to each other, where each cart can be considered as a monomer, and these carts are connected to each other in a strong and stable manner, so that the train is able to perform its tasks, and this is the same case among monomers, as they are connected to each other in a strong way that preserves the cohesion of the polymer and gives it its distinctive properties.

Depending on the source, polymers can be divided into two main sections. The first: natural polymers that we find in nature without any human intervention in their formation, such as many famous compounds such as wool, silk, cotton, and natural rubber, as well as proteins, nucleic acids, and others. The second: Synthetic polymers, which are made by humans using chemical reactions, the most famous of which are nylon, polyester, Teflon, and of course different types of plastics such as PVC, polyethylene, and many others.

Different monomers are extracted mainly from fossil fuel derivatives, through a set of chemical reactions, after which these molecules are mixed under specific conditions in a process known as polymerization. For the production of various polymers, the most important of which is plastic.

Based on all of the above - and given the different nature of the interactions and properties of polymers from traditional chemical compounds - whether organic or inorganic - a new branch of chemistry has emerged, which is “polymer chemistry”, which is concerned with studying these complex materials, how to obtain new types of them with specific properties, and studying those that already exist in nature.

Negative environmental aspects

Every minute, a truckload of plastic waste is dumped into our oceans, so plastic pollution has become a serious global problem. To better illustrate the picture, approximately 7 billion tons of plastic produced between 1950 - 2017 (out of 9.2 billion tons) became plastic waste that ended up in landfills, or in various bodies of water.

Plastic pollutioncan alter habitats and natural processes, reducing the ability of ecosystems to adapt to climate change, and directly affecting the livelihoods of millions of people, food production capacities and social well-being.

We do not deny that plastic is truly useful, as we use it every day in many applications, but the problem with plastic begins when it is no longer needed, as disposal of it in large quantities has led to a number of worsening problems on our planet.

Plastic is found in many things we use, from clothes to packages, bottles, etc., as making things out of plastic is common; There are many different types of it that can be produced in all shapes, colors and sizes, but the problem with plastic is that most of it is not biodegradable, due to its complex chemical composition - which we referred to earlier -; Unlike waste - such as paper, or food waste, and even that waste that decomposes into simple compounds when thrown into the environment, where microorganisms feed on it - plastic can remain in the environment for hundreds of years without changing.

According to studies, it is expected that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans, and it may take centuries for this waste to decompose, which is completely logical, as 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year, and 40% of this number is represented by single-use plastic (plastic that we use once before disposing of it in the trash).

Examples of single-use plastic include: bags, beverage bottles, candy and chips packaging, etc., which causes more than eight million tons of plastic to enter the world’s oceans every year, while the remaining quantities find refuge on land.

Another problem is that not all types of plastic can be recycled, and this may be because of the way they are made, or because the process of recycling some types is very expensive, or is technically difficult to recycle. For example, some paper coffee cups have a waterproof plastic lining, which makes them difficult to recycle, which is extremely important, especially considering that 7 million paper coffee cups are thrown away on a daily basis, but these cups are recycled at a rate of 1 in 400.

Another example is the recycling of PVC, which is considered an almost impossible process, due to the corrosive gases it emits that lead to the wear and tear of the equipment used, in addition to polluting the air and the work environment. All of the above led many experts to say: By the year 2050, the amounts of plastic in the ocean will weigh more than the weight of fish!

Another negative aspect of plastic pollution is the harm to living organisms, whether in the sea or on land. Many of us have seen pictures and videos of sea turtles stuck in waste. Birds, fish and shellfish can also mistakenly eat small pieces of plastic thinking it is food, but of course they cannot digest plastic, which means that there will be no place in the stomachs of these organisms for actual food, which is something that kills 100,000 people. An animal in the sea every year.

Many scientists and researchers consider marine pollution with plastic waste to be a growing global environmental crisis with no signs of abating, and the most prominent example of this is the Great Garbage Patch in the Pacific Ocean.

On the human side, studies indicate that an adult human - on average - swallows an estimated 883 particles of plastic every day, which is an input that accumulates in the body’s tissues without being eliminated.

On the other hand, the manufacture of plastics from virgin fossil resources represents another challenge that depletes natural resources, as it is an industry that is very far from applying the principles of the circular economy. And thus far from achieving theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Corona pandemic and the plastics industry

Plastic materials have excellent mechanical properties including strength and light weight, and are durable and inexpensive, making them the material of choice for most disposable medical instruments and equipment. The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the indispensable role of plastics in the healthcare sector and public health safety.

As of August 23, 2021, approximately 212 million people worldwide have been infected with the virus, a number that continues to increase to this day, even approaching the 700 million infected mark. The increasing number of patients and virus testing leads to a significant increase in the amount of plastic medical waste.

In order to support the huge demand for personal protective equipment - such as face masks, gloves, etc. - much legislation to limit single-use plastic has been withdrawn or postponed. In addition, lockdowns, social distancing, and restrictions on public gatherings have increased reliance on online shopping at an unprecedented speed. Thus increasing the demand for packaging materials that necessarily contain plastic.

The virus presented a package of conflicting effects on the environment. On the one hand, global emissions resulting from global carbon dioxide decreased by 6.4 percent, or 2.3 billion tons, and this is in light of the decline in economic and social activities. On the other hand, the plastics industry witnessed an unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment, supported by the decline in oil prices - which makes the production of virgin plastic cheaper - something that plastic manufacturers have clearly benefited from - financially.

For example, in its January 2021 fourth-quarter earnings report, 3M, one of the largest global manufacturers of N95 face masks, reported that it had sold two billion masks during 2020, and had expanded production capacity to 2.5 billion masks.

N95 masks are made of synthetic plastic fibers, including polypropylene, and they are widely used among health care workers, as well as among ordinary people, as it is estimated that billions of face masks are used every month, as well as gloves - and other personal protective equipment - for which there is no system for proper collection and disposal.

Despite the possible effects of the above, the total amount of plastic waste associated with the pandemic and its environmental and health impacts are largely unknown. However, it can be said - using calculations and comparison with the amounts of annual plastic waste before the pandemic - that the virus has caused an increase in the percentage of plastic pollution in the oceans by up to 2% on an annual basis.

Sustainability in the plastics industry

In recent years, attention has turned to circular economy models, reimagining them in the plastics industry by developing better manufacturing methods and optimal use of products, away from the approach currently followed by the plastics industry, which is a linear approach that only cares about production rates.

The application of the circular economy includes reducing the production of virgin plastic, reducing dependence on plastic in general, reusing and extending the shelf life of plastic products, recycling plastic waste as raw materials for new products, in addition to redesigning the plastic value chain, including this consumer behavior.

Fortunately, consumer awareness has begun to increase recently among many! This has become a positive influence on plastic manufacturing companies. To develop sustainable and more environmentally friendly products. Below we will discuss - in detail - the concepts of reduction, reuse, recycling, and redesign.

First: Reduce usage

Companies and governments have increasingly recognized the urgent need to reduce the amount of plastic on the planet. In many countries, policymakers have introduced legislation that restricts - or even outright bans - single-use plastic bags. In Egypt, the Ministry of Environment presented a strategy to reduce the use of this type of plastic bags.

On the other hand, many companies have taken, for example, steps towards reducing the use of plastic by reducing the weight of bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). PET is a type of lightweight plastic that is commonly used in food and beverage packaging. This trend among companies will play a role in reducing the weight of plastic used in packaging containers by a third.

The benefits of reducing plastic use extend beyond removing pressure on landfills, as the impact extends to preserving natural resources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Consequently, smaller amounts of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) are emitted from production processes.

Second:Reuse (Reuse)

The reuse process represents one of the solutions that can significantly reduce plastic waste, by directing used - and unwanted - plastic containers and tools into new, innovative uses. On an individual level, you can simply use the Internet to inspire a large number of simple ideas for reusing empty plastic containers, and many of us may already be doing this.

At the industrial level, there are some companies that have taken the initiative in adopting revolutionary ideas for reusing plastic, including - for example - the famous American clothing company “Patagonia”, which launched a line to resell the company’s used fashions, thus applying one of the basic concepts of the circular economy.

According to the company, increasing the shelf life of its clothes by an additional 9 months has a role in reducing waste and related carbon emissions, by a rate ranging between 20-30%, and the company also uses recycled soft water bottles to make the polyester yarn needed in its production processes.

Third: Recycling

Recyclingis a key component of the circular economy, as plastic waste can be collected and reprocessed to become usable again, or transformed into a raw material for new products.

There are many different types of plastic currently in use, and although we can recycle some of these types, the vast majority carry a set of challenges that prevent them from being recycled. Many leading companies and large research centers are investing heavily in developing the technology required to expand the types of plastics that can be recycled.

The plastic recycling process includes a set of stages, where the plastic - which is collected from homes and various institutions - is sent to facilities for physical separation operations, which separate the plastic from other waste; Then sort it according to type.

The plastic then goes to reprocessing, where it is washed, cut and sorted more finely, and is then melted and formed into recycled plastic pellets. These granules are sold to plastic product companies, to be reshaped into new products.

 Fourth: Redesign

To achieve all of the above, companies that manufacture various plastic products must reconsider the design of their products, so that it allows for reducing amounts of plastic, reusing and recycling; Therefore, product design has a very important role in crystallizing all the previous steps, and effectively transforming this industry into a circular economy.

Companies will certainly need to obtain the opinions of consumers and involve them in product redesign processes, as this plays a role in arriving at the ideal design for each plastic package or product, ensuring a longer shelf life and a new life cycle after the end of the original use.

Redesign involves thinking outside the box and using new materials in manufacturing products, with environmental considerations first and foremost. There are many examples of redesign, the most prominent of which is the example we discussed in the previous issue, which is the company “Notpla”, winner of the “Earthshot” Award for the year 2022 in the World Without Waste category, which manufactures packaging materials from seaweed that can decompose naturally in the environment.

Converting plastic into energy

The idea of burning plastic waste (Incineration) to generate energy seems logical. Plastic, after all, is composed of hydrocarbons, just like fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas. Plastic is also considered more energy dense compared to coal, but there are several obstacles standing in the way of the significant expansion of waste burning to generate energy.

The idea is that some advanced incinerators for plastic waste and other municipal waste could produce enough heat and steam to run turbines and generate electricity for the local grid, but this is a controversial solution; On the one hand, these incinerators will emit quantities of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and some other toxic gases - depending on the nature of the waste - in addition to the high construction and operating costs. On the other hand, the problems that may result from the absence of a clear legislative framework that guarantees the appropriate burning of waste to produce energy, but this idea remains an appropriate option in some cases.

Another solution to convert plastic into fuel is the process of pyrolysis, which is a process that involves exposing plastic waste to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. With the aim of analyzing this waste into simpler components.

The process of pyrolysis of plastic produces a large amount of oil that can be used as fuel in industries - such as the cement industry - with high energy consumption, in addition to quantities of solid carbon that can be processed to produce carbon black or active carbon. Therefore, the process of pyrolysis of plastic waste is considered one of the promising solutions, but this technology still needs development. So that it can treat large amounts of waste.

One of the advantages of the latter process is its ability to produce quantities of gases that can be recovered and used to generate the energy needed for pyrolysis, thus eliminating the need to use different types of fuel. To reach the necessary temperatures in the dissolution reactors.

What about bioplastics?

Bioplastic can be defined as biodegradable plastic - made from renewable biological materials, which are usually from plants, waste or microorganisms, instead of producing plastic using traditional methods by using petroleum or natural gas derivatives, while relying on renewable energy sources.

In 2022, the bioplastic industry represented only 1% of the world’s plastic production, as the bioplastic industry is considered a young industry. Until now, there is no unified global system for distinguishing biodegradable plastic from regular plastic, which makes it difficult for consumers to judge whether products are harmless to the environment or not.

Despite this, the growing awareness of the extent of the harmfulness of plastic materials, in addition to the increase in government regulatory frameworks in dealing with plastic waste; It has led to increased interest and investment in bioplastics, an industry that is expected to grow by more than 10% in the next few years. This growth would help solve one of the worst environmental problems facing the world, which is “plastic pollution.”

To produce bioplastics, polymers are extracted from biological sources to form various plastic products. These biosources can include plants - such as sugarcane, corn - and other edible plant sources, called “first generation” biosources. But here is a problem, which is that the production of bioplastics from the above-mentioned sources (first generation) is considered a controversial matter, given that it may result in endangering food security.

As for the second generation of biological resources, it includes agricultural and industrial waste, municipal waste, and others, as these sources are not edible. Therefore, producing bioplastics from them will not cause any problem related to food security.

The third generation of bio-based sources - from which plastics can be produced - include seaweed, cyanobacteria and microalgae, the latter of which can be grown in wastewater, including municipal water treatment facilities, which means that their cultivation will not affect other land uses. Bioplastic polymers can also be made from reused or recycled bioplastics, making them part of the circular economy concept.

The importance of bioplastics lies in moving away from methods that rely on petroleum and natural gas in producing plastics, which would significantly reduce the carbon footprint in this important industry, provided that we produce bioplastics from second- or third-generation sources, as first-generation sources - such as corn or sugar cane - will only lead to a 25% reduction - approximately - of greenhouse gas emissions. Thermal.

Another aspect is converting the production process to rely on renewable, carbon-free energy, and then it will have a much greater impact than simply switching from fossil polymers to biopolymers, as clean energy sources will reduce the carbon footprint of plastic by 62%.

Unlike fossil plastics, bioplastics can easily be a big part of the circular economy, as bioplastics derived from waste are considered Carbon Neutrality. It is therefore considered a promising sustainable option.

Opportunities and challenges in the plastics industry

The matter that urgently faces the plastics industry is how to get rid of the huge amounts of plastic waste that have accumulated, and how to prevent the accumulation of more of it in the future. Much of this waste is single-use, such as bags and bottles, and as days and years pass, this waste turns into small particles of plastic (microplastic), which can harm wildlife and seep into our food chains.

The problem of plastic waste has worsened with the significant rise in online shopping operations, and the growing popularity of bottled (mineral) water, with the increase in personal protection uses after the emergence of the Corona virus, such as face masks, gloves, and others.

The dangerous thing here is dealing with plastic at the end of its life without a clear strategy. Because estimates indicate that plastic waste may double over the next twenty years, and of course this waste will make its way into the oceans and bodies of water. And then pollute it more.

At the same time, governments need to get tougher on single-use plastic, by imposing a combination of fines, taxes and incentives to gradually transition the industry to sustainability. In 2019, for example, the European Union adopted legislation requiring countries to ban certain single-use plastics and ensure that plastic producers bear any costs related to integrated plastic waste management.

Recycling currently offers the best solution in addressing the plastic waste problem, but the recycling industry has not been - and will not be - able to keep up with the large amounts of plastic being disposed of. Estimates vary widely, but it's safe to say that 250 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated each year, and only about 14 percent is recycled.

Recycling faces another major problem, which is the contamination of plastic materials with other materials - as we mentioned previously with paper coffee cups - which mainly consist of high-quality cellulose fibers, strongly bonded to an inner plastic (polyethylene) cover. It is therefore difficult to separate them, which makes recycling a complex process, and there are many examples of this.

On the other hand, cross-border transfers of waste have decreased significantly, as more than 180 countries agreed in 2020 to strict restrictions on shipments of plastic waste coming from rich countries to poor countries within the framework of what is known as the “Basel Convention.”

Another matter is investing in recycling facilities, which is a great opportunity that we still need to exploit in many countries in general, especially developing ones. To expand the scope of the recycling industry, and enhance its ability to keep pace with the increasing rates of plastic waste.

Another major challenge facing this industry is reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. If plastic production continues on its current path by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from this sector could reach a rate of 1.34 billion tons per year.

This high rate of emissions is due to the fact that more than 99 percent of virgin plastic is made from natural gas and crude oil, which is considered a more economical method when compared to the recycling process, in addition to the energy required in plastic production processes.

Statistics indicate that the plastics industry consumes about 9 percent of global oil and 3 percent of natural gas, but in 2050 this percentage could rise to up to 20 percent of total oil consumption, and the emissions resulting from this industrial sector could be three times what they are today.

In this context, leaving the plastics industry sector on its current path portends an inevitable future disaster, as this constitutes a clear threat to the goal of the Paris Agreement (limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial revolution levels).

In light of the above, supporting the recycling industry is considered important and key to dealing with this problem, as studies indicate that some types of recycled plastic can emit 80% fewer emissions compared to virgin plastic.

Be part of the solution

Complex solutions include improving regulations, ramping up recycling, and offering incentives to encourage reduced virgin plastic production. But experts say: There are many things people can do every day to help address the plastic problem. So if you're looking to kick your plastic addiction, follow these simple steps.

Avoid single-use plastic items, such as straws, polystyrene dishes, and plastic cutlery; Although these products make our lives easy, they seriously harm the environment.

When going shopping, remember to take a cloth or wicker bag or bag, as if we use these reusable bags every time we go shopping - instead of single-use plastic bags - the health of our planet will definitely improve.

One of the things that can reduce waste is purchasing bulk food items, and reducing reliance on canned ones. This way, you can significantly reduce the use of various containers and packaging materials. Another thing is to resort - when possible - to glass or wooden options in household items, instead of those plastic options.

But if you have to buy a plastic container, be sure to reuse it after its primary purpose is over, instead of disposing of it directly. Be creative in this matter, and YouTube will certainly help you to know many ideas. If you have to get rid of your plastic containers for some reason, you must be careful to dispose of this waste safely in a place designated for this; To facilitate recycling operations.

In addition to all of the above, it is the responsibility of each of us to educate those around us, so that they realize the importance of reducing plastic consumption, by convincing family and friends - and even colleagues at work - to switch towards multi-use alternatives, and adopt the behaviors that we referred to in the previous lines; This is to achieve the basic goal and necessary goal of preserving the environment and working to sustain its resources, and let us truly be Earth Guards!

Who is to blame...the plastic or us?

The plastics industry sector is undoubtedly one of the most vital and active sectors in most countries around the world, including Egypt of course. It is also responsible for providing an increasingly large number of job opportunities. Thus securing livelihoods for millions of families around the world. But on the other hand, the environmental risks resulting from plastic waste - in addition to the reliance on fossil fuel sources to produce plastic, and the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from this industry - also threaten the lives of millions of families around the world.

In my opinion - and as I mentioned to you in the pages of the special file for this issue - plastic has led an unprecedented civilizational revolution that has decisively affected the form of life we live now, but in order for plastic not to turn into Joseph’s wolf, we must look at the worsening problem of plastic waste in a more comprehensive and realistic manner.

Plastic is a wonderful material thanks to its amazing set of properties, great durability, light weight, and cheap price. It can therefore be used practically in many applications, and we have become a bio-based society. Plastic makes our food fresher, our homes warmer, and our cars lighter. Therefore, less fuel is consumed.

The above is not to turn a blind eye to the problem of plastic pollution that threatens many ecosystems, but rather to point out that the problem does not lie only in the large amount of plastic that we use, but the biggest problem is in how we - humans - manage the waste of these materials after we finish using them.

It is estimated that 2 billion people do not have access to waste collection services, and the waste of more than 3 billion people is either disposed of randomly, or is subject to burning in an unregulated manner. People benefit from plastic, but with no waste collection services and smart management systems, plastic waste is often disposed of randomly, making its way directly into the oceans.

It is not surprising that studies show how developing countries - including China - are a major source of plastic pollution in the oceans. So from a global perspective, working with developing countries to develop appropriate and sustainable waste management is crucial if we are to address the problem of plastic in the oceans.

Unfortunately, many developed countries have taken the easier option of exporting plastic waste for recycling in China and other developing countries, the same countries that lack adequate infrastructure to manage their plastic waste.

Designers, plastic product developers and materials engineers have an important role to play in leading change, to reimagine this industry in light of the full life cycle of the materials they use. To design recyclable products.

Governments need to support entrepreneurs with the right technical, engineering and business skills to make new materials from recycled plastic, eliminate plastic waste, and support creative ideas for alternative, environmentally friendly packaging products, while setting an agenda to phase out single-use plastics completely.

And I do not forget to note in the end the role assigned to each one of us in assuming his responsibility towards reducing plastic waste, and this is by reducing consumption, reusing, or at least properly disposing of plastic waste, and relying on environmentally friendly alternatives whenever possible.