INTRODUCTION

Can plastics really harm the environment? In what way? Aren’t there any
advantages of using it? Why do other people still use it? Can it be lessened? What if
plastic-use would be decreased? Would there be any changes in the environment?
These are some questions people ask about plastic-usage. Some say it is a peril,
because it emits carbon dioxide that destroys the planet and it does not decay as fast
as papers, plants, etc. Some say it’s not, because people can recycle and reuse it. It
helps everyone whenever they need to carry things, holds their drink, etc. But what is
really a plastic?

Plastics can be classified by chemical structure, namely the molecular

units that make up the polymer's backbone and side chains. Some important groups in
these classifications are the acrylics, polyesters, silicones, polyurethanes,
and halogenated plastics. Plastics can also be classified by the chemical process used
in their synthesis, such as condensation, polyaddition, and cross-linking. Other
classifications are based on qualities that are relevant for manufacturing or product
design. Examples of such classes are the thermoplastic and
thermoset, elastomer, structural, biodegradable, and electrically conductive. Plastics
can also be classified by various physical properties, such as density, tensile
strength, glass transition temperature, and resistance to various chemical products.

It was invented by Alexander Parkes in 1856. The first synthetic plastic was
celluloid, a mixture. It was used initially as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls,
combs and piano keys. In 1909, the second synthetic plastic, phenol – formaldehyde,
was invented by Leo Baekland when he simply heated a mixture of phenol and
formaldehyde. Now, the two modern trends found in the development of plastics are
the increased number of foamed plastics, that are imbedded with gas and the other is
the specific designing of plastic, to satisfy particular service requirements.

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 Due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture, versatility, and
imperviousness to water, plastics are used in an enormous and expanding range of
products, from paper clips to spaceships. They have already displaced many
traditional materials, such as wood, stone, horn and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass,
and ceramic in most of their former uses.

The use of plastics is constrained chiefly by their organic chemistry, which

seriously limits their hardness, density, and their ability to resist heat, organic
solvents, oxidation, and ionizing radiation. In particular, most plastics will melt
or decompose when heated to a few hundred degrees Celsius. While plastics can be
made electrically conductive, with the conductivity of up to 80 kS/cm in stretch-
oriented polyacetylene, they are still no match for most metals like copper which
have conductivities of several hundreds kS/cm. Plastics are still too expensive to
replace wood, concrete and ceramic in bulky items like
ordinary buildings, bridges, dams, pavement, and railroad ties.

There are two types of plastics, thermosetting plastics and thermoplastics.

Thermosetting plastics can be heated and set only once. They cannot be remelted or
reshaped. When a thermoset is heated, it undergoes a chemical reaction called cross
linking, which binds its polymer chains together. Engineers use them in applications
that require high resistance to heat. Products made from thermosetting plastics
include saucepan handles and trays for sterilizing medical instruments.
Thermoplastics can be remelted and reformed. It does not form cross links, thus, the
chains can move freely each time the plastics are heated. Manufacturers used this
more because it is easier to handle, require a less time to set and can be persed in
liquids to produce durable, higher gloss paints and lacquers but tend to lose their
shape when exposed to constant pressure over a long period of time. For this reason,
manufacturers prefer to use thermosets for such products as plastic seats.

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 Plastics are durable and degrade very slowly; the molecular bonds that make
plastic so durable make it equally resistant to natural processes of degradation. Since
the 1950s, one billion tons of plastic have been discarded and may persist for
hundreds or even thousands of years. In some cases, burning plastic can
release toxic fumes. Burning the plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may
create dioxin. Also, the manufacturing of plastics often creates large quantities of
chemical pollutants. Prior to the ban on the use of CFCs in extrusion of, the
production of polystyrene contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer; however,
non-CFCs are currently used in the extrusion process.

Many people think that using plastics would be a nuisance because there are
so many disadvantages of plastics. The United States Environmental Protection says
plastics are worse for the environment than papers. Papers require much less energy
to manufacture and recycle. Because of this, paper generates less greenhouse gas.
They cause less air and water pollution. They compress to a small size in landfills.

Now, the researcher’s agenda is to find out if the above statements are true or
not, if using plastics is truly a peril for the people and environment or not.

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 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. What is the history of plastic?

2. What are plastics made of?
3. Can plastic really harm the environment?
4. What are the advantages of using plastics?
5. What will happen if plastic-use would be increased?
6. What will happen if plastic-use would be eliminated?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To know a little history about using plastics.

2. To know what plastics are made of.
3. To know if plastic can harm the environment.
4. To know if there are advantages of using plastics.
5. To know what will happen if plastic-use would be increased.
6. To know what will happen if plastic-use would be eliminated.

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Many people, do, get the wrong idea about the effects of using plastics. For
all they know, plastics are so helpful that it gives convenience in their daily lives. But
what they don’t know is that, it could also carry out a great destruction in our world,
most especially in our environment.

This research paper aims to prove if plastic-usage could really harm the
environment. At the same time, give not only disadvantages but also some
advantages of using it. The research proponents also want to prove that plastics have
positive effects.

This thesis is significant to all mothers who are concerned about the health of
their children, particularly babies. So they could be observant and be sure of what
their children are using is safe and non toxic. Examples of these plastics are teethers,
toys and cribs.

It is also noteworthy to all the students and teens that vividly use plastic
products in carrying things and holding their drinks. They would be open-minded that
using it doesn’t only have advantages but also immense disadvantages.

To the company owners and workers, in order for them to have knowledge
about the risks they might give to the consumer. As an additive Information, this
thesis can also help these people to be aware of their production for their workers to
be more responsible of their duties and obligations.

To the kids that do not know much about world, so they would be informed
that they should not play nor throw plastics everywhere. Thus, be careful in handling
it for them to avoid toxicities.

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 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study was conducted in Soldiers Hill IV, Molino, Bacoor, Cavite. The
respondents of the study – 50 for the survey, 10 for the interview and 10 for the
group discussion – are the ones who are avid users of plastics, may it be bottles, bags
or toys.

Like any other surveys, this thesis is not a precise answer to the problem for it
just covers a single barangay in Molino 6 over almost billions of people in the world.
The proponents of this thesis have collected only limited information about
advantages and disadvantages of plastics to people’s health and environment.

The researchers only have accumulated information about the subject from
books, magazine, newspapers, encyclopedia, internet and articles written by
environmentalists, which led the researchers to finish their paper.