Plastic – Eco Centre South West

Plastic

“There is no such thing as ‘away’. When we throw anything away, it must go somewhere.”
Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA.

Plastic has became integral to our day-to-day lives, but now it is taking over our lives – and it's taking over the planet.

It is used in so many things. However, from the processes used to create plastic products, to how they are used, and finally what happens to them once we have finished with them is sadly not good for the planet.

Plastic is a really big topic and a really big issue. Take a look these two short videos to understand more:

Solving Plastic Pollution
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough & Dame Ellen MacArthur

What really happens to the plastic you throw away?

On this page

The impact of plastic on the planet

Hints and tips

Inspiration

Using art to tackle plastic pollution and climate change

Circular economy – reducing plastic by design

Can mushrooms be a natural alternative to plastics?

Further reading and resources

The impact of plastic on the planet

1. Plastic production

The plastic cup is an item we have all likely used at some point; whether we wanted a decorative and unbreakable option for a children's birthday party, or we've bought a take-way coffee in a plastic cup that's easy to dispose of once we're finished. However, lets take a look at how this staple in our daily lives in produced.

Raw material preparation
The primary raw material for making plastic cups is usually a plastic resin, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This will have been extracted from the ground and refined. They may also include additives like colorants or stabilisers.

Melting and extrusion
The plastic resin is then melted. The molten plastic is then pushed through a die to shape it into a tube.

Cup forming
The plastic tube is then transferred to a cup-forming machine. In the machine, the tube is heated again and air is blown into it, causing it to expand and take the shape of a cup mould.

Trimming and finishing
Once the cup is formed, excess plastic (called flash) is trimmed off from the edges. The cups are then cooled using water or air to solidify the plastic.

Packaging
After passing quality control, the cups are stacked, counted, and packaged. They may be placed in plastic bags or boxes for transportation and storage.

All these processes are energy-intensive and rely heavily on fossil fuels, which when used release greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide and methane) into the atmosphere. So before the plastic is used as a cup it has already had significant impact on the environment.

2. What happens to plastic once it's finished with?

“It cannot be right to manufacture billions of objects that are used for a matter of minutes, and then are with us for centuries”
Roz Savage, English ocean rower, environmental advocate, writer and speaker

Pollution and landfill

Unlike organic materials that biodegrade, most conventional plastics do not readily break down. This means that some plastics can take thousands of years to decompose.

If plastics are not recycled they are likely to end up in landfills or polluting natural environments. Here, they undergo a process called photo-degradation and mechanical degradation, leading to the formation of small particles called microplastics. They can also release potentially harmful substances which can have negative effects on the environment and living organisms.

Recycling

Recycling involves converting used or discarded plastic into new products, reducing the need for virgin plastic production and diverting plastic waste from landfills or natural environments.

However, some plastics can be recycled, the recycling rates are generally low. Many factors contribute to this, including the lack of recycling infrastructure, contamination of plastic waste and economic viability. As a result, a large portion of single-use plastics ends up being incinerated, landfilled, or exported to other countries for disposal.

2. What happens to plastic once it's finished with?

Let's look more into the specifics:

Polluting the land

Improper disposal of plastic waste on land can lead to soil contamination. Plastic debris breaks down into microplastics, which contaminates the soil and hinder plant growth and agricultural productivity.

Plastic waste poses risks to wildlife and livestock. Animals may eat or get tangled in plastic debris, which could lead to injury, suffocation or starvation.

Accumulation of plastic waste in public places such as parks, beaches, and town centres can diminish the area and have negative impacts on tourism, recreation, wellbeing and local economies.

Plastic waste presents challenges in waste management systems. The volume and persistence of plastic waste make it difficult to handle and dispose of properly. If plastic is burnt it releases toxic fumes and particules into the air, which contributes to air pollution.

Polluting the oceans

Plastic waste accumulates in the oceans due. It is estimated that millions of tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. with sources including coastal areas, rivers, and marine activities.

Marine animals, such as seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, can end up eating or become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, suffocation, starvation, and, sadly, death. If they eat plastic it can also cause internal injuries and disrupt the animals' digestive systems.

Plastic pollution can disrupt marine ecosystems. It can alter habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, and affect the biodiversity and balance of marine ecosystems. The accumulation of plastics in certain areas can also harm important breeding and feeding grounds for marine species.

Hidden plastics

Plastics are hidden where you least expect. Here are a few examples and what impact they can have:

Many of us enjoy a nice cup of tea. However, your soothing cup of tea might contain hidden plastics. Many tea bags are made with polypropylene, a type of plastic used to seal the bags.

🌱 Try switching to loose-leaf tea or use biodegradable tea bags to reduce your plastic consumption while enjoying your cuppa.

Synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are essentially made of plastic. When we wash these clothes tiny plastic microfibers are released into the water and end up in our oceans, harming marine life.

🌱 Instead opt for natural fibres like cotton, linen, or hemp, as they biodegrade more easily and don't release microfibers.

You might find microplastics in your favourite toiletries or make-up. For example, microplastics are commonly used as exfoliants or to help foundations create a smooth texture.

🌱 Next time, check the ingredients of products and avoid those with microplastics. Look for natural alternatives like sugar, salt, or plant-based exfoliants.

Woman putting chewing gum into her mouth

Chewing gum contains a synthetic rubber called polyisobutylene, which gives it that chewy texture. When we spit out our gum on the street, it becomes a source of plastic pollution.

🌱 Dispose of gum by wrapping in a piece of paper and throw it in the bin, or try a mint instead.

Watch this Ted Talk by Patricia Villarrubia-Gómez, plastic pollution expert, as she sums up the challenges of plastic and it is impact on the planet.

Hints and tips

1. Use reuseable shopping bags:

Take your own reusable bags when you go shopping. Have one or two in your car or handbag ready to use in case of some impromptu shopping.

2. Opt for reusable water bottles and coffee cups:

Carry a reusable bottle and cup with you when you're on the go, and the avoid the need of using a takeaway cup. Many cafes offer a discount for using your own cup.

3. Say no to plastic straws and cutlery:

Avoid using plastic straws and cutlery by having your own reusable alternatives, like stainless steel or bambo, to hand.

4. Choose fresh produce:

1. Buy fresh fruits and vegetables without plastic packaging when possible.

5. Buying in bulk:

Buy items like grains, cereals, nuts, and spices in bulk using your own reusable containers. Many towns around the region have plastic free and refill shops - You find your closes one on the Zero Waste Locator website.

6. Start using alternative to plastic food storage:

Instead of using plastic containers for food storage, you could switch to glass, stainless steel, or silicone containers. These alternatives are durable, reusable, and do not leach harmful chemicals into your food.

7. Take your own containers for take away:

When getting takeaway or bringing home leftovers from restaurants, take your own reusable containers to avoid using disposable plastic containers.

8. Use beeswax wraps or reusable silicone covers:

Replace clingfilm and aluminium foil with beeswax wraps or reusable silicone food covers to keep food fresh.

9. Make homemade cleaning products:

Instead of buying cleaning products in plastic bottles, consider making your own using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and essential oils. Store them in reusable spray bottles.

10. Choose bar soap and shampoo:

Opt for bar soap instead of liquid hand soap packaged in plastic. Similarly, consider using shampoo bars or refillable shampoo containers to reduce plastic waste from toiletries.

11. Avoid single-use plastics in personal care:

Look for plastic-free alternatives for personal care items like toothbrushes, razors, and cottonwool buds, such as bamboo toothbrushes, and metal razors.

12. Repair and repurpose:

Instead of immediately replacing broken items, try repairing them. Get creative and repurpose plastic containers or packaging for organising or storage purposes.

If you're looking for some further ideas and advice, Friends of the Earth also have wonderful resources:

Plastic free gardening

Plastic free with kids

Plastic free pet supplies

Menstrual products and plastic pollution

Inspiration

Using art to tackle plastic pollution and climate change

Art is a powerful tool to communicate the urgent issue of climate change, but also inspire people to take action.

Take a look at artist Alejandro Durán’s use of plastic found on beaches to create visually striking art, that also depicts the consequences of plastic pollution.

Using art to tackle plastic pollution and climate change

Art is a powerful tool to communicate the urgent issue of climate change, but also inspire people to take action.

Take a look at artist Alejandro Durán’s use of plastic found on beaches to create visually striking art, that also depicts the consequences of plastic pollution.

Circular Economy – reducing plastic by design

The circular economy is an economic model that aims to minimise waste and maximise the efficient use of resources by keeping materials in a continuous loop of use and recycling.

Products are designed to consider each stage of a product life - before and even after the customer uses it - with recyclability in mind.

This involves using materials that are easily recyclable, minimising the use of additives that hinder recycling processes, and creating products that can be easily disassembled and separated into their component materials. By designing plastic products for recyclability, their value is maintained, and they can be effectively reused in new products.

The model offers many benefits – economic, social and environmental. By 2040 a circular economy has the potential to:

• reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80%
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%
• generate savings of USD 200 bn per year
• create 700,000 net additional jobs

(Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation)

Here are some examples of businesses who have adopted a circular economy model:

Miniml Refills
for cleaning and laundry

Beauty Kitchen
for skin care

LiveCoco for electric toothbrush heads

Hylo Athletics for running shoes

Can mushrooms be a natural alternative to plastics?

Mushrooms have gained attention in recent years as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative due to their unique properties and potential applications. For example:

Mycelium is the root structure of mushrooms. It can be grown and molded into various shapes to create sustainable packaging materials, insulation, and even building materials. The mycelium networks bind together agricultural waste, such as sweetcorn stalks or sawdust, forming a strong and biodegradable material. These mycelium-based products can replace traditional plastic foams like polystyrene.

Mushroom leather is an alternative to animal-based leather. It is created by growing mycelium on a substrate, such as agricultural waste or sawdust, which forms a durable and flexible material with properties similar to animal leather. Mushroom leather is biodegradable, requires fewer resources to produce compared to traditional leather, and avoids the use of harmful chemicals typically associated with leather tanning.

Mushroom-based materials have been explored as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic packaging. By growing mycelium into specific shapes, it can be used to create protective packaging, trays and containers. These materials are lightweight, biodegradable, and can be composted, reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional plastic packaging.

Mushroom-based materials can also be used in the textile industry. By combining mycelium with natural fibers, such as cotton or hemp, it is possible to create sustainable fabrics. These fabrics can be used in various applications, including clothing, accessories, and upholstery. Mushroom-based textiles offer a renewable and biodegradable alternative to synthetic materials like polyester.

The use of mushrooms as an alternative to plastic is still a developing field, with ongoing research and innovation. However, the unique properties of mushrooms, including their ability to grow quickly and their biodegradability, make them a promising option for sustainable material production.