Title of the project: Impact of use of plastics on the environment.

Hypothesis: Impact of use of plastics on the environment is detrimental.

Objectives: To Study the various impacts of plastics on the environment.

Review of literature:

Information was sourced from peer-reviewed academic literature, grey literature, publicly
available plastic waste management plans, and through consultation with plastic waste
management professionals. Literature pertaining to municipal plastic waste minimization,
auditing and management were searched for through online journal databases. Additional
information was obtained from textbooks pertaining to plastic waste management topics.
After conducting preliminary research, prevalent references of select sources were
identified and scanned for additional relevant articles. Research was also expanded to
include literature pertaining to recycling, reusing, education, and case studies. Input from a
sub-committee comprised of various plastic waste management professionals identified
areas requiring further research. Hazardous plastic wastes are briefly discussed, but they
typically require specialized management which lies outside of the scope of this literature
review.

Relevance:

Plastic has replaced many materials in real life. We can use plastic for bottles, cups; carry
bags, containers, coatings, furniture, sheets, toys, tanks, buckets, sanitary ware, and
stationery.

Some of the constituents of plastic such as benzene are known to cause cancer. Plastic
resins themselves are flammable and have contributed considerably to several accidents
worldwide. Garbage has been discarded in to the oceans. Since 1940s plastic use has
increased dramatically, resulting into the huge quantity of nearly indestructible light
weight material floating in the ocean landfills, parks, beaches & streets. And if they are
burnt, they infuse the air with toxic fumes. Many animals are killed every year due to
plastic bags, mistaking it for food. The worst effect of plastic bags that they are non
biodegradable.
Material & Method used:

METHOD USED
1. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH - CONTENT ANALYSIS
Material Used

1. WRITTEN Books based on Environmental issues, green house effect, types of wastes
and methods to decompose waste etc were referred.
2. AUDIO-VISUAL Documentary, videos, tv programmes based on causes and impacts
of disposable products on environment were taken into consideration
3. HYPERTEXTS (INTERNET) Projects, reports, papers and articles based on topics
relevant to the above study were referred on various sites on internet

Description of method followed :

Descriptive research: In this type of research describes characteristics of a population or

The characteristics, used to describe the situation or populations, are usually some kind of
categorical scheme also known as descriptive categories. Descriptive research is also
known as Statistical Research. The main goal of this type of research is to describe the data
and characteristics about what is being studied. Although this research is highly accurate,
it does not gather the causes behind a situation. Descriptive research is mainly done when
a researcher wants to gain a better understanding of a topic. That is, analysis of the past as
opposed to the future. Descriptive research is the exploration of the existing certain
phenomena. The details of the facts won't be known. The existing phenomena’s facts are
not known to the persons.

Observation:
Analysis
1. Pollution problems of plastics - Industrial practices in plastic manufacture can lead to
polluting effluents and the use of toxic intermediates, the exposure to which can be
hazardous. Better industrial practices have led to minimizing exposure of plant workers to
harmful fumes.
There is growing concern about the excess use of plastics, particularly in packaging. The
use of plastics can be reduced through a better choice of container sizes and through the
distribution of liquid products in more concentrated form. A concern is the proper disposal
of waste plastics.

2. Factors affecting recycling of plastics- Recycling and re-utilization of waste plastics

3. Plastic bags and their nuisances-Plastic bags are popular with consumers and retailers
as they are a functional, lightweight, strong, cheap, and hygienic way to transport food and
other products. Most of these go to landfill and garbage heaps after they are used, and some
are recycled. Once littered, plastic bags can find their way on to our streets, parks and into
our waterways. Although plastic bags make up only a small percentage of all litter, the
impact of these bags is nevertheless significant. Plastic bags create visual pollution
problems and can have harmful effects on aquatic and terrestrial animals. Recycle and
reuse of plastic bags can mitigate environmental problems.

4. Issues relating to plastics – There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with
hundreds of different varieties. All types of plastic are recyclable. To make sorting and thus
recycling easier, the American Society of Plastics Industry developed a standard marking
code to help consumers identify and sort the main types of plastic. Before recycling, plastics
are sorted according to their resin identification code.
The type of plastics (as per the resin identification code) and their most common uses are
given below:

Result:

The hypothesis that impact of use of plastics on the environment is detrimental is proven
to be true.

Suggestions /Opinion :

Strategies for reduction of Environmental Impact of Plastics –

2 . Reuse containers – Since refillable plastic containers can be reused for many times,
container reuse can lead to a substantial reduction in the demand for disposable plastic
and reduced use of materials and energy, with the consequent reduced environmental
impacts. Container designers will take into account the fate of the container beyond the
point of sale and consider the service the container provides.

3.Require producers to take back resins – Get plastic manufacturers directly involved
with plastic disposal and closing the material loop, which can stimulate them to consider
 the product’s life cycle from cradle to grave. Make reprocessing easier by limiting the
number of container types and shapes, using only one type of resin in each container,
making collapsible containers, eliminating pigments, using water-dispersible adhesives
for labels, and phasing out associated metals such as aluminum seals. Container and resin
makers can help develop the reprocessing infrastructure by taking back plastic from
consumers.

4. Standardize labeling and inform the public – Standardized labels for “recycled,”
“recyclable,” and “made of plastic type X” must be developed for easy identification.
We can start reducing the use of plastic in small ways like replacing plastics bags with jute
bags, cloth bags & paper bags. Recycling plastic bags made of thin plastic.

Use of earthen pots for storage of water, instead of plastic bottles. While governments may
be working out ways to lessen the impact of plastic bags on the environment, however each
of us should shoulder some of the responsibility for this problem which ultimately harms
us.

Bibliography:

http://www.slideshare.net/Nishyu/plastic-pollution

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution

Iyer, E. S., & Kashyap, R. K. (2007). Consumer recycling : Role of incentives , information ,
and social class. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 47, 32-47. doi: 10.1002/cb

Waste Management Practices: Dalhousie University Gary Davidson