CHAPTER I
LITTERATURE REVIEW
16
1.4 Benefits
Plastic and rubber are omnipresent and essential in modern society. They are impacting nearly
every aspect of daily life, from packaging materials like containers and plastic bags to durable
building products such as plastic pipes and vinyl cladding. With over a third of plastic
consumption dedicated to packaging applications, and a comparable portion utilized in
construction materials, the enduring nature and resistance to decay and corrosion make plastic
a preferred choice for various purposes. (Andrady and Neal, 2009).
1.5 Disadvantages
Despite the numerous benefits of plastic use, its environmental impact has become a pressing
issue (Millican and Agarwal, 2021). Since the onset of mass plastic production in the 1950s,
plastic debris has accumulated across terrestrial environments, open oceans, remote islands'
shorelines, and even the deep sea (Barnes et al., 2009). This accumulation has evolved into a
substantial environmental challenge, with millions of tons of plastic waste generated annually.
Plastic pollution poses threats to wildlife, contaminates water, air, and soil, and contributes to
climate change (Kirchhof, 2005). In addition, most plastics are not biodegradable, they can
take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose in the environment (Andrady, 1994).
Moreover, the production and disposal of plastics can release harmful chemicals into the
environment, posing health risks to humans by leaching into food and water sources. Also,
recycling plastic is costly, presenting a significant challenge for waste management efforts
(Andrady and Neal, 2009).
1.6 Recycling
Approximately 4% of the world's oil and gas production, a finite resource, serves as raw
material for plastics, with an additional 3-4% utilized for energy during manufacturing. A
significant portion of annual plastic production is dedicated to crafting disposable items like
packaging, which are discarded within a year. These facts alone underscore the unsustainable
nature of our current plastic usage. Moreover, due to the enduring nature of the polymers
involved, large volumes of discarded plastics accumulate as debris in landfills and natural
environments globally. Recycling emerges as a crucial solution to mitigate these impacts,
representing a dynamic frontier in the plastics industry. By recycling, we can diminish oil
consumption, lower carbon dioxide emissions, help reduce the overall volume of waste to be
processed (Hopewell et al., 2009).
LITTERATURE REVIEW
16
1.4 Benefits
Plastic and rubber are omnipresent and essential in modern society. They are impacting nearly
every aspect of daily life, from packaging materials like containers and plastic bags to durable
building products such as plastic pipes and vinyl cladding. With over a third of plastic
consumption dedicated to packaging applications, and a comparable portion utilized in
construction materials, the enduring nature and resistance to decay and corrosion make plastic
a preferred choice for various purposes. (Andrady and Neal, 2009).
1.5 Disadvantages
Despite the numerous benefits of plastic use, its environmental impact has become a pressing
issue (Millican and Agarwal, 2021). Since the onset of mass plastic production in the 1950s,
plastic debris has accumulated across terrestrial environments, open oceans, remote islands'
shorelines, and even the deep sea (Barnes et al., 2009). This accumulation has evolved into a
substantial environmental challenge, with millions of tons of plastic waste generated annually.
Plastic pollution poses threats to wildlife, contaminates water, air, and soil, and contributes to
climate change (Kirchhof, 2005). In addition, most plastics are not biodegradable, they can
take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose in the environment (Andrady, 1994).
Moreover, the production and disposal of plastics can release harmful chemicals into the
environment, posing health risks to humans by leaching into food and water sources. Also,
recycling plastic is costly, presenting a significant challenge for waste management efforts
(Andrady and Neal, 2009).
1.6 Recycling
Approximately 4% of the world's oil and gas production, a finite resource, serves as raw
material for plastics, with an additional 3-4% utilized for energy during manufacturing. A
significant portion of annual plastic production is dedicated to crafting disposable items like
packaging, which are discarded within a year. These facts alone underscore the unsustainable
nature of our current plastic usage. Moreover, due to the enduring nature of the polymers
involved, large volumes of discarded plastics accumulate as debris in landfills and natural
environments globally. Recycling emerges as a crucial solution to mitigate these impacts,
representing a dynamic frontier in the plastics industry. By recycling, we can diminish oil
consumption, lower carbon dioxide emissions, help reduce the overall volume of waste to be
processed (Hopewell et al., 2009).