Mike Sauers May 30, 2022
In the 1967 movie, The Graduate, the main character, Ben, receives a one word piece of advice from a friendly businessman. That word was “plastic”. The plasticity of plastic enables it to be formed into endless configurations. They are light, flexible, durable, inexpensive and predominantly fossil-fuel based. They are also an environmental nightmare that impacts quality of life in a wide ranging manner.
They require the extraction of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum and therefore contribute significantly to a myriad of environmental problems. There is no scenario where fossil fuel extraction does not leave a path of destruction. Processing fossil fuels into energy and consumer goods is equally destructive. The costs of this ill conceived extraction and production scheme are born by consumers and taxpayers. It may take the form of polluted air/water and their associated health risks. Health care costs are impacted by polluted air/water. It may take the form of scarred land or polluted oceans. Remediation of these is paid for by consumer/taxpayer money.
Even after the above ill conceived scheme is foisted on the global community it gets worse. After market fossil fuel plastics and production excesses are a monster to deal with. It is only within the last 20-30 years that a critical mass of intellect has called out this folly. Up until then the proponents of fossil fuel plastics got by proclaiming the attributes of plastic even if it is fossil fuel based. It is second only to spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants. It ranks just above mine scarred land and polluted streams.
The casual observer can easily see fossil-fuel plastics in the everyday environment. Plastic bags decorate trees. Plastic bottles, containers, packaging, utensils, straws and food containers litter beaches, parks, highways, sidewalks, etc. Plastic refuse is everywhere. Once again, consumer/taxpayer money is used clean this mess. It is an impossible task. About 10% of post consumer plastics are recycled. About 14% of post consumer plastics are incinerated. The remainder is either landfilled, ocean dumped or existing as plastic pollution in the environment.
To add insult to injury, we must understand that pure, unadulterated plastic is never sold. Thousands of chemicals are added to barefoot resin. These additives change the performance/appearance of plastic to enhance plastic’s applications. They are usually not explained to users. Additives leach and degrade into toxic substances. Plastics turn into microplastics and nanoplastics. These may be long-lived in the environment and accumulate in organisms including humans. They are recognized as a human health hazard. Additives like brominated flame retardants, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, adipates, phthalates and BPA, to name a few, raise red flags for human health. I could go on but I think the point has been made.
Due to an emerging critical mass of concern about the negative health and environmental aspects of fossil-fuel plastics and the fast growing renewable energy sector, the fossil fuel industry is in panic mode. They are desperately trying to keep their taxpayer subsidized profits. The effort is destined for failure. Globally, efforts are under way to curtail the use of fossil fuels as feedstock. Investors are divesting from fossil fuels. Subsidies are being protested. Global plastics treaties are being explored. Consumers are changing habits.
Can the world make the chemicals/products it deems necessary without oil? The answer is a resounding yes. With renewable energy (solar and wind) coming on strong, scientists are experimenting (successfully) with replacing petroleum as feedstock. There are hundreds of possibilities ranging from alternatives to plastics such as glass, bamboo, etc. to bioplastics such as cornstarch, soy, etc. to the gradual greening of industrial chemistry producing catalysts able to make complex hydrocarbons. The competition is on.
One thing is for sure. A critical mass of intellect is saying no to current practices. This is a complex dilemma . Research it. Make it an issue.
Be part of the change. Cut down on plastics. Divest. Say no to plastic.