Plastic as a resource

There's a lot of talk about plastic as a source of pollution, but what about the benefits? Plastic is not
necessarily a problem in itself, it is the disposal/pollution of waste that's the main challenge

1. Bad things about plastic

2. Good things – why plastic is important

3. Can plastic reduce waste?

4. Chemicals carried by Odfjell that are used in plastic production

5. Odfjell responsibility/sustainability

Why do we need plastic, what is it good for.

Connect to sustainability. (Much of the chemicals Odfjell carry are used in plastic production).

Research on how plastic actually reduces waste if used correctly.

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SIDEBAR

Did you know that 8 million tons of plastics enter the oceans every year?

By Øistein Jensen, SVP/Chief of Staff, Bergen

Plastic pollution is a serious global problem. It involves the accumulation of plastic products in the
environment that adversely affects wildlife, wildlife habitat, and humans. We use plastics every day, and
we generate huge amounts of waste. Plastic waste is slow to degrade, and in the process it turns into
microplastics. The entire cycle and movement of microplastics in the environment is not yet known, but
research is currently underway to investigate this issue.

In order to ensure that Odfjell, as a global responsible company, handles waste safely, we are taking
steps to reduce plastic pollution. We want to support proper handling of plastic waste and plastic
recycling. Plastic recycling is the process of recovering scrap or waste plastic and reprocessing the
material into useful products. Since the vast majority of plastic is non-biodegradable, recycling is a part
of our global efforts to reduce plastic in the waste stream.

Odfjell has ambitions of handling 100% of all our plastic waste to ensure either recycling or safe and
environmentally friendly waste management in 2017. Offies and ships will take efforts to handle plastic
waste properly. This is good for business, good for the environment and good for people.

Quarterly. June 2017

Plastic Packaging

Every industry relies on product packaging. Plastics drive cutting edge design to help deliver innovative
packaging solutions that use less material, protect fragile goods and help cut down on transportation
costs– all important elements of sustainability.
(July 26, 2016)

Previous reports, such as “Valuing Plastics” (2014) by Trucost and “The New Plastics Economy:
Rethinking the Future of Plastics” (2016) by the World Economic Forum, only examined the
environmental costs of using plastics.

Trucost’s latest study, “Plastics and Sustainability: A Valuation of Environmental Benefits, Costs, and
Opportunities for Continuous Improvement,” builds on earlier research by comparing the environmental
costs of using plastics to alternative materials and identifying opportunities to help lower the
environmental costs of using plastics in consumer goods and packaging.

These significant results disrupt a common misperception around plastics. Trucost found that replacing
plastics in consumer products and packaging with a mix of alternative materials that provide the same
function would increase environmental costs from $139 billion to $533 billion annually. That’s because
strong, lightweight plastics help us do more with less material, which provides environmental benefits
throughout the lifecycle of plastic products and packaging.

The study also concluded that the environmental costs of alternative materials can be lower per ton of
production but are greater in aggregate due to the much larger quantities of material needed to fulfill
the same purposes as plastics.

the report’s authors recommend steps to help further reduce plastics’ overall environmental costs, such
as by increasing the use of lower-carbon electricity in plastics production, adopting lower-emission
transport modes, developing even more efficient plastic packaging, and increasing recycling and energy
conversion of post-use plastics to help curb ocean litter and conserve resources.

“We now have a fuller picture of the environmental benefits of using plastics,” said Steve Russell, vice
president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council, which commissioned the study. “

Plastics, also called polymers, are produced by the conversion of natural products or by the synthesis
from primary chemicals generally coming from oil, natural gas, or coal.

Most plastics are based on the carbon atom. Silicones, which are based on the silicon atom, are an
exception. The carbon atom can link to other atoms with up to four chemical bonds. For plastics the
carbon atoms are also connected to the hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, or sulfur. When the
connections of atoms result in long chains, like pearls on a string of pearls, the polymer is called a
thermoplastic. Thermoplastics are characterized by being meltable. The thermoplastics all have repeat
units, the smallest section of the chain that is identical. We call these repeat units unit cells. The vast
majority of plastics, about 92%, are thermoplastics.

The groups of atoms that are used to make unit cells are called monomers. For some plastics, such as
polyethylene, the repeat unit can be just one carbon atom and two hydrogen atoms. For other plastics,
such as nylons, the repeat unit can involve 38 or more atoms. When we combine monomers, we
generate polymers or plastics. Raw materials form monomers that can be or are used to form unit cells.
Monomers are used form polymers or plastics
When the connection of the carbon atoms forms two and three-dimensional networks instead of one-
dimension chains, the polymer will be a thermoset plastic. Thermoset plastics are characterized by not
being meltable. Thermoset plastics, such as epoxy adhesives or unsaturated polyester boat hulls and
bathtubs or the phenolic adhesives used to make plywood, are created by the user mixing two chemicals
and immediately using the mixture before the plastic “sets up” or cures.

The formation of the repeat units for thermoplastics usually begins with the formation of small carbon-
based molecules that can be combined to form monomers. The monomers, in turn, are joined together
by chemical polymerization mechanisms to form polymers. The raw material formation may begin by
separating the hydrocarbon chemicals from natural gas, petroleum, or coal into pure streams of
chemicals. Some are then processed in a “cracking process.” Here, in the presence of a catalyst, raw
materials molecules are converted into monomers such as ethylene (ethene) C2H4, propylene (propene)
C3H6, and butene C4H8 and others. All of these monomers contain double bonds between carbon
atoms such that the carbon atoms can subsequently react to form polymers.

Other raw material chemicals are isolated from petroleum, such as benzene and xylenes. These
chemicals are reacted with others to form the monomers for polystyrene, nylons, and polyesters. The
raw materials have been changed into monomers and no longer contain the petroleum fractions.

Still other raw materials can be obtained from renewable resources, such as cellulose from wood to
make cellulose butyrate. For the polymerization step to work efficiently, the monomers must be very
pure. All manufacturers purify raw materials and monomers, capturing unused raw materials for reuse
and byproducts for proper disposition.

Monomers are then chemically bonded into chains called polymers.There are two basic mechanisms for
polymerization: addition reactions and condensation reactions. For addition reactions a special catalyst
is added, frequently a peroxide, that causes one monomer to link to the next and that to the next and so
on.

Catalysts do not cause reactions to occur, but cause the reactions to happen more rapidly. Addition
polymerization, used for polyethylene and polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride among others, creates no
byproducts. The reactions can be done in the gaseous phase dispersed in liquids.

The second polymerization mechanism, condensation polymerization, uses catalysts to have all
monomers react with any adjacent monomer. The reaction results in two monomers forming dimers
(two unit cells) plus a byproduct.

Dimers can combine to form tetramers (four unit cells) and so on. For condensation polymerization the
byproducts must be removed for the chemical reaction to produce useful products. Some byproducts
are water, which is treated and disposed.

Other byproducts are raw materials and recycled for reuse within the process. The removal of
byproducts is conducted so that valuable recycled raw materials are not lost to the environment or
exposed to populations. Condensation reactions are typically done in a mass of molten polymer.
Polyesters and nylons are made by condensation polymerization.

Different combinations of monomers can yield plastic resins with different properties and
characteristics. When all monomers are the same, the polymer is called a homopolymer. When more
than one monomer is used, the polymer is called a copolymer. Plastic milk jugs are an example of
homopolymer HDPE. Milk is satisfactorily packaged in the less expensive homopolymer HDPE. Laundry
detergent bottles are an example of copolymer HDPE. The aggressive nature of the detergent makes a
copolymer the right choice for best service function. Each monomer yields a plastic resin with specific
properties and characteristics. Combinations of monomers produce copolymers with further property
variations. So, within each polymer type, such as nylons, polyesters, polyethylenes, etc, manufacturers
can custom make plastics that have specific features. Polyethylenes can be made to be rigid or flexible.
Polyesters can be made to be low temperature melting adhesives or high temperature resistant
automobile parts. The resulting thermoplastic polymers may be melted to form many different kinds of
plastic products with application in many major markets. The variability of the plastic either within
plastic family types or among family types permits a plastic to be tailored to a specific design and
performance requirements. This is why certain plastics are best suited for some applications while
others are best suited for entirely different applications. No one plastic is best for all needs.

Some examples of material properties in plastic product applications are:

Hot-filled packaging used for products such as ketchup

Chemical-resistant packaging used for products such as bleach

Impact strength of car bumpers

The Structure of Polymers

As we have discussed, polymers can be homopolymers or copolymers. If the long chains show a
continuous link of carbon-to-carbon atoms, the structure is called homogeneous. The long chain is called
the backbone. Polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene and polymethylpentene are examples of
polymers with homogeneous carbon structure in the backbone.

If the chains of carbon atoms are intermittently interrupted by oxygen or nitrogen, the structure is called
heterogeneous. Polyesters, nylons, and polycarbonates are examples of polymers with heterogeneous
structure. Heterogeneous polymers as a class tend to be less chemically durable than homogeneous
polymers although examples to the contrary are numerous.

Different elements can be attached to the carbon-to-carbon backbone. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contains
attached chlorine atoms. Teflon contains attached fluorine atoms.

How the links in thermoplastics are arranged can also change the structure and properties of plastics.
Some plastics are assembled from monomers such that there is intentional randomness in the
occurrence of attached elements and chemical groups. Others have the attached groups occur in very
predictable order. Plastics will, if the structure allows, form crystals. Some plastics easily and rapidly
form crystals, such as HDPE—high density polyethylene. HDPE can appear hazy from the crystals and
exhibits stiffness and strength. Other plastics are constructed such that they cannot fit together to form
crystals, such as low density polyethylene, LDPE. An amorphous plastic typically is clear in appearance.
By adjusting the spatial arrangement of atoms on the backbone chains, the plastics manufacturer can
change the performance properties of the plastic.

The chemical structure of the backbone, the use of copolymers, and the chemical binding of different
elements and compounds to a backbone, and the use of crystallizability can change the processing,
aesthetic, and performance properties of plastics. The plastics can also be altered by the inclusion of
additives.

Additives

When plastics emerge from reactors, they may have the desired properties for a commercial product or
not. The inclusion of additives may impart to plastics specific properties. Some polymers incorporate
additive during manufacture. Other polymers include additives during processing into their finished
parts. Additives are incorporated into polymers to alter and improve basic mechanical, physical or
chemical properties. Additives are also used to protect the polymer from the degrading effects of light,
heat, or bacteria; to change such polymer processing properties such as melt flow; to provide product
color; and to provide special characteristics such as improved surface appearance, reduced friction, and
flame retardancy.

Types of Additives:

Antioxidants: for plastic processing and outside application where weathering resistance is needed

Colorants: for colored plastic parts

Foaming agents: for expanded polystyrene cups and building board and for polyurethane carpet
underlayment

Plasticizers: used in wire insulation, flooring, gutters, and some films

Lubricants: used for making fibers

Anti-stats: to reduce dust collection by static electricity attraction

Antimicrobials: used for shower curtains and wall coverings

Flame retardants: to improve the safety of wire and cable coverings and cultured marble

The Two Plastic Types, Based on Processing

A Thermoset is a polymer that solidifies or “sets” irreversibly when heated or cured. Similar to the
relationship between a raw and a cooked egg, a cooked egg cannot revert back to its original form once
heated, and a thermoset polymer can’t be softened once “set”. Thermosets are valued for their
durability and strength and are used extensively in automobiles and construction including applications
such as adhesives, inks, and coatings. The most common thermoset is the rubber truck and automobile
tire. Some examples of thermoset plastics and their product applications are:

Polyurethanes:

• Mattresses

• Cushions

• Insulation

Unsaturated Polyesters:

• Boat hulls

• Bath tubs and shower stalls

• Furniture

Epoxies:

• Adhesive glues

• Coating for electrical devices

• Helicopter and jet engine blades

Phenol Formaldehyde:

• Oriented strand board

• Plywood

• Electrical appliances

• Electrical circuit boards and switches

A Thermoplastic is a polymer in which the molecules are held together by weak secondary bonding
forces that soften when exposed to heat and return to its original condition when cooled back down to
room temperature. When a thermoplastic is softened by heat, it can then be shaped by extrusion,
molding, or pressing. Ice cubes are common household items which exemplify the thermoplastic
principle. Ice will melt when heated but readily solidifies when cooled. Like a polymer, this process may
be repeated numerous times. Thermoplastics offer versatility and a wide range of applications. They are
commonly used in food packaging because they can be rapidly and economically formed into any shape
needed to fulfill the packaging function. Examples include milk jugs and carbonated soft drink bottles.
Other examples of thermoplastics are:

Polyethylene:
• Packaging

• Electrical insulation

• Milk and water bottles

• Packaging film

• House wrap

• Agricultural film

Polypropylene:

• Carpet fibers

• Automotive bumpers

• Microwave containers

• External prostheses

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):

• Sheathing for electrical cables

• Floor and wall coverings

• Siding

• Automobile instrument panels

Thermoplastic and Thermoset Processing Methods

There are a variety of different processing methods used to convert polymers into finished products.
Some include:

Extrusion - This continuous process is used to produce films, sheet, profiles, tubes, and pipes. Plastic
material as granules, pellets, or powder, is first loaded into a hopper and then fed into a long heated
chamber through which it is moved by the action of a continuously revolving screw. The chamber is a
cylinder and is referred to as an extruder. Extruders can have one or two revolving screws. The plastic is
melted by the mechanical work of the screw and the heat from the extruder wall. At the end of the
heated chamber, the molten plastic is forced out through a small opening called a die to form the shape
of the finished product. As the plastic is extruded from the die, it is fed onto a conveyor belt for cooling
or onto rollers for cooling or by immersion in water for cooling. The operation’s principle is the same as
that of a meat mincer but with added heaters in the wall of the extruder and cooling of the product.
Examples of extruded products include lawn edging, pipe, film, coated paper, insulation on electrical
wires, gutter and down spouting, plastic lumber, and window trim. Thermoplastics are processed by
continuous extrusion. Thermoset elastomer can be extruded into weatherstripping by adding catalysts
to the rubber material as it is fed into the extruder.

Calendering – This continuous process is an extension of film extrusion. The still warm extrudate is
chilled on polished, cold rolls to create sheet from 0.005 inches thick to 0.500 inches thick. The thickness
is well maintained and surface made smooth by the polished rollers. Calendering is used for high output
and the ability to deal with low melt strength. Heavy polyethylene films used for construction vapor and
liquid barriers are calendered. High volume PVC films are typically made using calendars.

Film Blowing – This process continuously extrudes vertically a ring of semi-molten polymer in an upward
direction, like a fountain. A bubble of air is maintained that stretches the plastic axially and radially into
a tube many times the diameter of the ring. The diameter of the tube depends on the plastic being
processed and the processing conditions. The tube is cooled by air and is nipped and wound
continuously as a flattened tube. The tube can be processed to form saleable bags or slit to form rolls of
film with thicknesses of 0.0003 to 0.005 inches thick. Multiple layers of different resins can be used to
make the tube.

Injection Molding - This process can produce intricate three-dimensional parts of high quality and great
reproducibility. It is predominately used for thermoplastics but some thermosets and elastomers are
also processed by injection molding. In injection molding plastic material is fed into a hopper, which
feeds into an extruder. An extruder screw pushes the plastic through the heating chamber in which the
material is then melted. At the end of the extruder the molten plastic is forced at high pressure into a
closed cold mold. The high pressure is needed to be sure the mold is completely filled. Once the plastic
cools to a solid, the mold opens and the finished product is ejected. This process is used to make such
items as butter tubs, yogurt containers, bottle caps, toys, fittings, and lawn chairs. Special catalysts can
be added to create the thermoset plastic products during the processing, such as cured silicone rubber
parts. Injection molding is a discontinuous process as the parts are formed in molds and must be cooled
or cured before being removed. The economics are determined by how many parts can be made per
cycle and how short the cycles can be.

Blow Molding - Blow molding is a process used in conjunction with extrusion or injection molding. In
one form, extrusion blow molding, the die forms a continuous semi-molten tube of thermoplastic
material. A chilled mold is clamped around the tube and compressed air is then blown into the tube to
conform the tube to the interior of the mold and to solidify the stretched tube. Overall, the goal is to
produce a uniform melt, form it into a tube with the desired cross section and blow it into the exact
shape of the product. This process is used to manufacture hollow plastic products and its principal
advantage is its ability to produce hollow shapes without having to join two or more separately injection
molded parts. This method is used to make items such as commercial drums and milk bottles. Another
blow molding technique is to injection mold an intermediate shape called a preform and then to heat
the preform and blow the heat-softened plastic into the final shape in a chilled mold. This is the process
to make carbonated soft drink bottles.

Expanded Bead Blowing – This process begins with a measured volume of beads of plastic being placed
into a mold. The beads contain a blowing agent or gas, usually pentane, dissolved in the plastic. The
closed mold is heated to soften the plastic and the gas expands or blowing agent generates gas. The
result is fused closed cell structure of foamed plastic that conforms to a shape, such as expanded
polystyrene cups. Styrofoam™ expanded polystyrene thermal insulation board is made in a continuous
extrusion process using expanded bead blowing.

Rotational Molding - Rotational molding consists of a mold mounted on a machine capable of rotating
on two axes simultaneously. Solid or liquid resin is placed within the mold and heat is applied. Rotation
distributes the plastic into a uniform coating on the inside of the mold then the mold is cooled until the
plastic part cools and hardens. This process is used to make hollow configurations. Common rotationally
molded products include shipping drums, storage tanks and some consumer furniture and toys.

Compression Molding – This process has a prepared volume of plastic placed into a mold cavity and then
a second mold or plug is applied to squeeze the plastic into the desired shape. The plastic can be a semi-
cured thermoset, such as an automobile tire, or a thermoplastic or a mat of thermoset resin and long
glass fibers, such as for a boat hull. Compression molding can be automated or require considerable
hand labor. Transfer molding is a refinement of compression molding. Transfer molding is used to
encapsulate parts, such as for semi-conductor manufacturing

The formation of plywood or oriented strand board using thermoset adhesives is a variant of
compression molding. The wood veneer or strands are coated with catalyzed thermoset phenol
formaldehyde resin and compressed and heated to cause the thermoset plastic to form into a rigid, non-
melting adhesive.

Casting – This process is the low pressure, often just pouring, addition of liquid resins to a mold.
Catalyzed thermoset plastics can be formed into intricate shapes by casting. Molten polymethyl
methacrylate thermoplastic can be cast into slabs to form windows for commercial aquariums. Casting
can make thick sheet, 0.500 inches to many inches thick.

Thermoforming – Films of thermoplastic are heated to soften the film, and then the soft film is pulled by
vacuum or pushed by pressure to conform to a mold or pressed with a plug into a mold. Parts are
thermoformed either from cut pieces for thick sheet, over 0.100 inches, or from rolls of thin sheet. The
finished parts are cut from the sheet and the scrap sheet material recycled for manufacture of new
sheet. The process can be automated for high volume production of clamshell food containers or can be
a simple hand labor process to make individual craft items.

1 American Chemistry Council, Plastics Industry Producer Statistics Group, 2005

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Plastics are being used in incredibly innovative ways to help make cars safer and more fuel efficient.
They’re at the heart of solutions that make vehicles more lightweight, help increase fuel efficiency and
reduce carbon emissions, help provide unparalleled safety benefits like seatbelts and airbags and,
plastics help to enable beautiful, sleek contouring and design. What's more, as car makers work to meet
sustainability goals and use recovered materials, a growing number of car parts are made using recycled
plastics.

Safety

Made from durable strands of polyester fiber, seat belts alone have reportedly helped to save 11,000
lives each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Airbags,
commonly made from high-strength nylon fabric, can reduce the risk of dying in a direct, frontal car
crash by about 30 percent, according to NHTSA statistics. And child safety seats made possible by
numerous advancements in polymer science help to protect our kids at every turn.

Fuel Efficiency

Another priority in automotive design is weight reduction, a key driver in boosting fuel efficiency,
reducing emissions and lowering costs for motorists. Many plastic components can weigh 50 percent
less than similar components made from other materials. That’s one reason why today’s average light
vehicle contains 332 pounds of plastics and composites, 8.3 percent by weight.

Sustainability

Fuel Efficiency on its own is a great contributor to sustainability. As the use of plastics in vehicle
manufacturing increases, lightweighting design techniques — the integration of plastics and polymer
composites into vehicle design where some other materials have been traditionally used — can benefit
performance and energy savings. But, increasing numbers of automakers are using recycled plastics
automotive applications to make things like seat cushions and radiator shrouds.

Style and Innovation

Plastics deliver the engineering and styling qualities to go just about anywhere that innovation and high
performance are demanded. In exterior applications, from bumper to bumper, plastics are not only light
weight, they give designers the freedom to create innovative concepts that in many instances would
otherwise be impractical or virtually impossible. Plastics also resist dents, dings, stone chips and
corrosion. They allow cost-saving part consolidation and facilitate modular assembly practices for
reduced production costs.

From the construction of new homes to the retrofit and renovation of commercial buildings, and from
hospitals to schools, architects and designers rely on plastics to help maximize energy efficiency,
durability and performance. In addition to potentially lightening a structure’s environmental footprint,
properly installed plastic building products can help reduce energy and maintenance costs, improve
aesthetics and safety over many years.

Energy Savings: Adding It All Up

A one-year study1 found that the use of plastic building and construction materials saved 467.2 trillion
Btu of energy over alternative construction materials. That’s enough energy saved over the course of a
year to meet the average annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households. Savings vary by material
and products.

Below are some examples of plastic building products that promote the efficient use of energy and other
resources:

Roofing

Reflective light colored roofing membranes made of vinyl or thermoplastic olefin (TPO) blends are key
energy saving applications especially for commercial buildings in southern climes. Studies have shown
that the surface temperature of a light covered roof compared to a darker one could be as much as
much lower. » learn more

Insulation

Whether it is spray polyurethane foam (SPF) in the attic or rigid foam polyiso board on the roof,
polyurethane based systems offer durability, energy savings and moisture control. When used for
retrofit situations, they also help reduce the amount of building waste sent to landfills. » learn more
In walls, behind walls and under floors, the use of polystyrene foams can provide significant energy
efficiency. For example, rigid extruded polystyrene (XPS) is a builder favorite because it can be installed
easily and effectively. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) made with expanded polystyrene (EPS) can help
homeowners save hundreds of dollars annually on heating and cooling bills. Savings vary by material and
products. » learn more

Wall Coverings

Vinyl based wall coverings are commonly used for durable, easy-to-clean hospitality and health care
facilities. Vinyl requires only half as much energy to manufacture as the same amount of paper wall
coverings. » learn more

Windows

Plastics rival traditional materials for window glazing. For example, polycarbonate—a material also used
in eyeglasses—is used as panes. These clear, lightweight, shatter-resistant plastic products have low
thermal conductivity, which can help to reduce heating and cooling costs. » learn more

Vinyl window frames are inherently energy efficient and save the U.S. nearly 2 trillion thermal units of
energy per year, helping reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation—all
the while cutting maintenance time, materials and costs.

Piping

Plastic pipe and fittings are easy to install, durable and will not rust or corrode over time. Several types
of plastics are used for piping depending on the properties and performance required. Whether they are
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) they each
offer excellent fusion integrity when joined properly helping to eliminate potential leak points where
water could be wasted. » learn more

In home building, flexible blue and red cross-linked polyethylene piping (PEX) is becoming builders’
favorite for hot and cold water delivery all managed and hooked into a central and effective manifold
system. This is due to its flexibility, lightness, and ease of installation—allowing multiple feed lines
throughout a house, which allows hot water to arrive more quickly to a sink or shower. This can
significantly save water. » learn more
Decks, Fences and Railings

“Lumber” planks and rails made from recycled plastics or plastic-wood composites are carefully
engineered to same dimensions so warpage and knots are virtually eliminated. They can outlast
traditional materials, often require less maintenance, and are resistant to peeling, cracking, splintering
or fading. » learn more

Plastic House Wrap

The advent of plastic house wrap technology has reduced the infiltration of outside air into the average
home by 10-50%, helping to drastically reduce the energy required to heat or cool the home. These
plastic films have helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by as much as 120 to 600 million
tons of CO2 since 1980 (assuming that all homes built since 1980 have some form of plastic barrier). »
learn more

From the manufacturer to the grocer and to our dinner tables, airtight plastic packaging is an essential
part of modern life—protecting and preserving goods, and ensuring they are transported efficiently.

Innovation

For decades plastics have driven innovation in packaging design.

From tamper resistant medicine packaging to the new Heinz dip/squeeze packet, plastic helps drive
innovation and is a leading material in creating effective packaging solutions for a variety of needs.

Studies and Reports

- Trucost

- Access Study

- Bottles Report

- Bags and Film

- Rigids Study

Lightweighting
Plastics don’t just make packaging more effective; they can also make packaging more efficient, helping
to conserve resources.

Plastic is often a more efficient material to choose than alternatives. That's because plastics are
incredibly energy efficient to manufacture and because they are lighter than alternative materials. Just
two pounds of plastic can deliver 10 gallons—of a beverage. You'd need three pounds of aluminum,
eight pounds of steel, or over 40 pounds of glass to bring home the same amount.

Recovery Solutions for Flexible Plastic Packaging: Materials Recovery for the Future

The packaging stream is evolving. Resource efficient flexible plastic packaging provides outstanding
product protection in innovative formats. Currently, in North America, flexible plastic packaging is not
typically accepted in recycling programs. As the expectation for full lifecycle management of packaging
increases, it is important that the related industries take part in the foundation of future solutions to
provide effective and economic recovery options for flexible plastic packaging.

“MRFF

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Plastic’s durability makes it a preferred material for reusable items such as storage bins, sealable food
containers and refillable sports bottles. In industrial shipping, plastic pallets are impervious to moisture
and most chemicals, so they can be used over and over.

Plastic recycling rates are growing faster than ever before. Bottles remain one of the most readily
recycled plastics, but a growing number of communities are collecting and recycling other rigid plastic
containers, such as tubs, trays and lids. And many national grocery and retail chains now invite
consumers to return used plastic bags for recycling.

Learn how plastics are enabling us to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover the energy and materials.

Q: How are plastics made?

A: Most commercial plastics encountered by consumers consist of building blocks of carbon. Those
building blocks are typically derived from petroleum or natural gas, but can be derived from coal or
biological sources. The building blocks of small molecules are called monomers. The monomers used are
many and can be combined in various combinations to achieve special properties and characteristics.
The nature of the polymer science is such that the monomers must be very pure to make useful plastics.
Plastics can be made at very high pressures using gases, in solvents or liquid emulsions, or as melted
materials. Each plastic has preferred manufacturing techniques based on its specific chemistry. All
successful chemical syntheses are characterized by purification of raw materials, reuse of surplus
material, efficient conversion of materials to useful plastic, efficient use of energy, and minimized
releases of byproducts to the environment.

Q: Why are plastics used in packaging?

A: Packaging serves many purposes. The public may think the package lasts only a few minutes during
the use of the product, but the real demands are much more extensive. Packaging must deliver the
product through a potentially long distribution chain to the consumer such that the product meets all
expectations regardless of the history encountered. The package must allow the product to be attractive
and must deliver aesthetic appeal and information. The package must protect the product at low cost
and ease of use with minimal environmental impact. And the package must meet the various regulatory
requirements set by various governments. With the proper selection of plastic and packaging type, the
quality of the product good, ranging from sensitive electronics to fresh foods, can be maintained during
shipping, handling and merchandising. Plastics are a versatile family of materials that are suitable for a
wide range of packaging applications. In many cases, plastics offer the best protection while using
minimal resources and creating less waste than alternative materials. A study in Germany showed that
400 percent more material by weight would be needed to make packaging if there were no plastics, and
the volume of packaging would more than double1. Another European study showed that if plastic
packaging did not exist, the annual extra burden required to replace the packaging function would
consume an additional 14.2 millions tons of oil (equal to a line of super tanker ships over 14 miles long)
and produce an additional 47.3 million tons of CO2 (equal to the annual output of over 12 million
automobiles)2. While all packaging continues to be optimized, the basic message of the efficiency of
plastic packaging to deliver a product as expected and at low cost is still true.

Q: Why do we need different kinds of plastics?

A: Copper, silver and aluminum are all metals, yet each has unique properties. We do not make a car out
of silver or a beer can out of copper because the properties of these metals are not the best choice for
final product. Likewise, while plastics are all related, each resin has attributes that make it best suited to
a particular application. Plastics make this possible because as a material family they are so versatile.

For instance, six resins account for most of the plastics used in packaging:
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a clear, tough polymer with exceptional gas and moisture barrier
properties. PET’s ability to contain carbon dioxide (carbonation) makes it ideal for use in carbonated soft
drink bottles.

HDPE (high density polyethylene) is used in milk, juice and water containers in order to take advantage
of its excellent protective water retention properties. Its chemical resistance properties also make it well
suited for items such as containers for household chemicals and detergents. And HDPE is used for the
secondary packaging, such as reusable pallets, that helps deliver products safely and efficiently in the
product distribution system.

Vinyl (polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) provides excellent clarity, puncture resistance, and cling. As a film, vinyl
can breathe just the right amount, making it ideal for packaging fresh meats that require oxygen to
ensure a bright red surface while maintaining an acceptable shelf life.

LDPE (low density polyethylene) offers clarity and flexibility. It is used to make bottles that require extra
flexibility. To take advantage of its strength and toughness in film form, it is used to produce grocery
bags and garbage bags, shrink and stretch film, and coating for milk cartons.

PP (polypropylene) has high tensile strength, making it ideal for use in caps and lids that have to hold
tightly on to threaded openings. Because of its high melting point, polypropylene can be hot-filled with
products designed to cool in bottles, including ketchup and syrup. It is also used for products that need
to be incubated, such as yogurt.

PS (polystyrene), in its crystalline form, is a colorless plastic that can be clear and hard. It can also be
foamed to provide exceptional insulation properties. Foamed or expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used for
products such as meat trays, egg cartons and coffee cups. EPS is also used for secondary packaging to
protect appliances, electronics and other sensitive products during transport.

Q: What about CFCs used in plastics?

A: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) were used in the past to make foamed plastic. In response to concerns
about the ozone layer, polystyrene manufacturers voluntarily phased out the use of CFC’s in the late
1980s.

Q: Are toxic compounds used to make plastics and if so, would not the plastics be toxic?

A: Some of the raw materials used to make plastics are rather non-reactive at room temperature and
others are highly reactive. For example, one reactive compound, ethylene, is used to make polyethylene.
It can also be used to make waxes, such as paraffin wax used for candles and food additives. While not
particularly toxic, gaseous ethylene is an asphyxiant, chemically active, and highly flammable. When
converted to a plastic, those characteristics are changed. The plastics made from transformed raw
materials do not have the same properties as the raw materials. EPA has concluded "there is an
exceedingly low probability that potential exposure to high molecular weight water-insoluble polymers,
as a class, will result in unreasonable risk or injury to human health or the environment".3 Plastics
molecules are very large and do not have the same biological properties as the raw materials used to
make them.

Q: Are toxic chemicals included in the plastic products we buy?

A: The simple answer is ‘not intentionally’. The more thorough answer is that toxicity is a complicated
subject. Salt, and even water, at too high an intake are toxic to humans. Both are necessary for health
and neither is considered toxic. To be a risk, any toxic material must be delivered to sensitive organs in
sufficient quantity to create an adverse result. Health risk is not created by mere presence alone.

Plastic products may contain many additives that are included to change appearance, such as colors, or
to change performance, such as materials that make stiff plastics more limp and flexible. All additives for
food packaging must pass stringent testing to meet FDA requirements for indirect food additives
whether the additive actually is ingested or not4. Additives for other than food packaging have other
requirements to meet. In general, if an additive becomes identified as problematic, alternatives are
found and used. As for the plastic itself, manufacturers recognize it is in their best long-term interest to
be sure the plastic as made create negligible risk.

Q: Why are plastics used in durable goods?

A: Manufactured items defined with a useful life of more than three years, including automobiles,
appliances, computers, etc., are called durable goods. Manufacturers of durable goods choose plastics
for many reasons:

The automotive industry chooses plastic for its durability, corrosion resistance, ease of coloring and
finishing, resiliency, cost, energy efficiency, and light weight. Light weight translates directly into
improved fuel usage experience and lowered costs to the consumer. Use of plastics in car bodies, along
with improvements in coating technology, contribute to automobiles lasting much longer than vehicles
did before the widespread use of plastics in fender liners, quarter panels, and other body parts.

Major appliance manufacturers use plastics because of their ease of fabrication, wide range of design
potential, and thermal, electrical, and acoustic insulation. Plastics characteristics can significantly reduce
production and use energy consumption and greenhouse gas generation. Plastic insulation in
refrigerators and freezers helps reduce operations costs to the consumer.
The building and construction industry uses vinyl siding for homes because of its appearance, durability,
ease of installation, cost, and energy efficiency.

Plastics can reduce energy consumption for the auto, appliance, and building and construction
industries, providing a substantial saving in production costs.5

Plastic materials and products play an important part in cutting-edge technologies used in the space
program, in bulletproof vests and prosthetic limbs, as well as in a myriad of everyday products. Check
out the resources below to learn about the many uses of plastic materials, how they are made, and basic
information on plastics and the environment.

The Basics—Polymer Definition and Properties

If you’re after basic information on plastic materials, this is the place to find it. Here you’ll learn the
definition and properties of polymers, another name for plastics.

Lifecycle of a Plastic Product

This is designed to lend a better understanding concerning how plastics are made, the different types of
plastics, and their numerous properties and applications.

Uses of Plastics

Whether you are aware of it or not, plastics play an important part in your life. Plastics' versatility allow
them to be used in everything from car parts to doll parts, from soft drink bottles to the refrigerators
they are stored in. From the car you drive to work in to the television you watch at home, plastics help
make your life easier and better. So how is it that plastics have become so widely used? How did plastics
become the material of choice for so many varied applications?

How Plastics Are Made

The term “plastics” includes materials composed of various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, chlorine, and sulfur. Plastics typically have high molecular weight, meaning each molecule can
have thousands of atoms bound together. Naturally occurring materials, such as wood, horn and rosin,
are also composed of molecules of high molecular weight.
Plastic Packaging Resin Identification Codes

Have you ever wondered about those little numbers inside a triangle of arrows on the bottom of plastic
containers? They tell you the kind of plastic is used to manufacture the soft drink bottles, laundry
detergent packages, milk jugs, and other plastic bottles that you purchase. The numbers and letters are
intended as resin identification codes to facilitate the recycling process.

BAD

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UN Declares War on Ocean Plastic

PRESS RELEASE

|
February 23, 2017

UN Environment launches major global #CleanSeas campaign to end marine litter

Ten countries are already on board, as well as DELL Computers, singer Jack Johnson, actor Adrian
Grenier and media personality Nadya Hutagalung

More than 8 million tonnes of plastic leaks into the ocean each year – equal to dumping a garbage truck
of plastic every minute

The world's largest beach clean-up in history on Versova beach in Mumbai, India

23 February 2017 – UN Environment launched today an unprecedented global campaign to eliminate

major sources of marine litter: microplastics in cosmetics and the excessive, wasteful usage of single-use
plastic by the year 2022.

Launched at the Economist World Ocean Summit in Bali, the #CleanSeas campaign is urging
governments to pass plastic reduction policies; targeting industry to minimize plastic packaging and
redesign products; and calling on consumers to change their throwaway habits – before irreversible
damage is done to our seas.

Erik Solheim, Head of UN Environment, said, "It is past time that we tackle the plastic problem that
blights our oceans. Plastic pollution is surfing onto Indonesian beaches, settling onto the ocean floor at
the North Pole, and rising through the food chain onto our dinner tables. We’ve stood by too long as the
problem has gotten worse. It must stop."

Throughout the year, the #CleanSeas campaign will be announcing ambitious measures by countries and
businesses to eliminate microplastics from personal care products, ban or tax single-use bags, and
dramatically reduce other disposable plastic items.

Ten countries have already joined the campaign with far-reaching pledges to turn the plastic tide.
Indonesia has committed to slash its marine litter by a massive 70 per cent by 2025; Uruguay will tax
single-use plastic bags later this year and Costa Rica will take measures to dramatically reduce single-use
plastic through better waste management and education.

Each year, more than 8 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the oceans, wreaking havoc on marine
wildlife, fisheries and tourism, and costing at least $8 billion in damage to marine ecosystems. Up to 80
per cent of all litter in our oceans is made of plastic.
According to some estimates, at the rate we are dumping items such as plastic bottles, bags and cups
after a single use, by 2050 oceans will carry more plastic than fish and an estimated 99 per cent of
seabirds will have ingested plastic.

Media personality Nadya Hutagalung supports #CleanSeas by calling on the cosmetics industry to stop
adding microplastics to their products. As many as 51 trillion microplastic particles – 500 times more
than stars in our galaxy – litter our seas, seriously threatening marine wildlife.

Singer-songwriter and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Jack Johnson pledged to engage with fans
and encourage venues for his 2017 Summer Tour to reduce single-use plastics. Johnson is also
promoting a new documentary The Smog of the Sea, which highlights the issue of microplastics
permeating the world’s oceans.

"I support the Clean Seas campaign because I believe there are better alternatives to single-use
disposable plastics, and that we as consumers can encourage innovation and ask businesses to take
responsibility for the environmental impact of the products they produce," said Jack Johnson.

"We can all start today by making personal commitments to reduce plastic waste by carrying reusable
shoppings bags and water bottles, saying no to straws and choosing products without microbeads and
plastic packaging. We can also support the efforts of the emerging youth leaders around the world
working for healthy and plastic free oceans."

Globally recognized brands are also joining the fight. DELL Computers unveiled today a commercial-scale
supply chain using plastic which has been fished out of the sea near Haiti. The computer giant will use
the recovered ocean plastic in its product packaging.

"DELL is committed to putting technology and expertise to work for a plastic-free ocean," said Dell's Vice
President for Global Operations Piyush Bhargava. "Our new supply chain brings us one step closer to UN
Environment's vision of Clean Seas by proving that recycled ocean plastic can be commercially re used."

All these actions will be crucial to stemming the tide of marine litter. Today, we are producing twenty
times more plastic than in the 1960s. Around one third of all plastic is used for packaging. By 2050 our
plastic production will have to grow three to four times to satisfy our demand. A large portion will end
up in oceans where it will remain for centuries.

Actor Adrian Grenier, known for his role in hit TV show and film Entourage, and founder of Lonely Whale
Foundation has joined the #CleanSeas campaign, asking people to re-think their daily choices.

"Whether we choose to use plastic bags at the grocery store or sip through a plastic straw, our
seemingly small daily decisions to use plastics are having a dramatic effect on our oceans," said Adrian
Grenier. "We have the power to effect change.

"Today I take this public pledge to do my part to refuse single use plastics, starting with the plastic straw,
and also reaffirm my commitment to work with leaders such as Dell to reduce plastic packaging. If we
start with one small change and hold each another accountable, I believe that together we can inspire
global action for the health of our oceans."

Major announcements are expected during The Ocean Conference in New York at the UN Headquarters
5 – 9 June, and the December UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.

Additional Quotes

Hamish Daud, Indonesian presenter and actor said: "We hail from one of the most beautiful places on
the planet, but our nasty plastic addiction is slowly choking our precious coasts and the marine life we
share them with. Join with me to turn the tide on plastic – together we must start saying ‘no’ to
unnecessary plastic in our daily lives that is ending up in the sea – decline the plastic shopping bags,
reject the straws, replace plastic bottles with filtered water. I stand today with UN Environment to urge
governments, industry and consumers to put an end to our dangerous plastic habit."

Eneida de León, Minister of Housing, Territorial Planning and Environment of Uruguay: "Our goal is to
discourage the use of plastic bags through regulations, give an alternative for workers in the waste
sector, and develop education plans regarding the impact of the use of plastic bags on our environment.
These actions are key to achieving sustainable development. Uruguay is committed to moving forward in
that direction, and the Clean Seas campaign is certainly a very valuable contribution."

Edgar Gutiérrez Espeleta, Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica: "Costa Rica recognizes the
risks and damage caused by the effects of single-use plastic and non-recoverable micro plastics on the
marine environment. We strongly favour the engagement of all relevant stakeholders, including civil
society, private sector and all citizens to support national and global efforts. Only through a real and
active engagement of all of us, with the help of dynamic partnerships, we will be able to effectively
combat marine litter."

Vidar Helgesen, Minister of Climate and the Environment of Norway: "Keeping our seas clean and our
marine life safe from plastic is a matter of urgency for Norway. Marine plastic litter is a rapidly increasing
threat to marine life, seafood safety and negatively affects the lives of people in coastal areas all around
the world. We encourage every country in the world to join the Clean Seas campaign and develop
effective measures to avoid single-use plastic ending up in the environment. Our oceans cannot wait any
longer."

Nadya Hutagalung, media personality: "On bathroom shelves around the world sit products that are
destroying life in our oceans. Tiny pieces of plastic in our face scrubs and toothpastes, used to make
products feel smooth, are washed away in drains to then fill the stomachs of marine animals who
confuse it for food. No beauty product is worth destroying the world’s beautiful oceans, not to mention
our own human well-being. There are alternatives! So let's choose what we buy carefully and together,
with the combined power of our voice and our wallets, we can urge beauty companies to end their use
of microbeads."

Segolene Royal, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy: "I welcome the launch of the
Global Marine Litter Campaign by UNEP, and I am pleased to announce that I have signed an agreement
to support UNEP financially in our common fight against this global threat, in the context of the
International coalition against plastic bags and plastic pollution."

Peter Thomson, President of the UN General Assembly said: "The Ocean is the lifeblood of our planet,
yet we are poisoning it with millions of tonnes of plastic every year. The time has come to turn the tide
on marine litter. As the world's nations prepare for The Ocean Conference to be held in New York, 5 – 9
June, I urge all of them to join the Clean Seas campaign and make an ambitious pledge to reduce single-
use plastic. Be it a tax on plastic bags or a ban on microbeads in cosmetics, each country to do their bit
to maintain the integrity of life in the Ocean."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About #CleanSeas:
The #CleanSeas campaign is a global movement targeting governments, industry and consumers to
urgently reduce the production and excessive use of plastic that is polluting the earth’s oceans,
damaging marine life and threatening human health. UN Environment aims to transform all spheres of
change - habits, practices, standards and policies around the globe to dramatically reduce marine litter
and the harm it causes.

Ten countries have already joined the campaign. They are: Belgium, Costa Rica, France, Grenada,
Indonesia, Norway, Panama, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone and Uruguay.

B-rolls available on request

Report Launched on 20th anniversary of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the
Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA)

Washington D.C., 17 November 2015 – Widespread adoption of products labelled 'biodegradable' will
not significantly decrease the volume of plastic entering the ocean or the physical and chemical risks
that plastics pose to marine environment, concluded a UN report released today.

The report, "Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter. Misconceptions, Concerns and Impacts on Marine
Environments", finds that complete biodegradation of plastics occurs in conditions that are rarely, if
ever, met in marine environments, with some polymers requiring industrial composters and prolonged
temperatures of above 50°C to disintegrate. There is also limited evidence suggesting that labelling
products as 'biodegradable' increases the public's inclination to litter.

The report was launched to mark the 20th anniversary of the Global Programme of Action for the
Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA), an intergovernmental
mechanism hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said, “Recent estimates from UNEP have shown as much as 20
million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans each year. Once in the ocean, plastic does not go
away, but breaks down into microplastic particles. This report shows there are no quick fixes, and a
more responsible approach to managing the lifecycle of plastics will be needed to reduce their impacts
on our oceans and ecosystems.”
In 2014, a study by UNEP and partners estimated that about 280 million tonnes of plastic is produced
globally each year and only a very small percentage is recycled. Instead, some of that plastic ends up in
the world's oceans, costing several billion dollars annually in environmental damage to marine
ecosystems.

In recent years, concern has grown over microplastics (particles up to 5 mm in diameter, either
manufactured or created when plastic breaks down). Their ingestion has been widely reported in marine
organisms, including seabirds, fish, mussels, worms and zooplankton.

The new report aimed to verify a thesis that plastics considered ‘biodegradable’ may play an important
role in reducing these negative environmental impacts.

The report finds that plastics most commonly used for general applications, such as polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are not biodegradable in marine environments.
Polymers, which biodegrade under favourable conditions on land, are much slower to break up in the
ocean and their widespread adoption is likely to contribute to marine litter and consequent undesirable
consequences for marine ecosystems.

The study also analyzes the environmental impacts of oxo-degradable plastics, enriched with a
pro-oxidant, such as manganese, which precipitates their fragmentation. It found that in marine
environments the fragmentation is fairly slow and can take up to 5 years, during which the plastic
objects continue to litter the ocean.

Oxo-degradable plastics can pose a threat to marine ecosystems even after fragmentation. The report
says it should be assumed that microplastics created in the fragmentation process remain in the ocean,
where they can be ingested by marine organisms and facilitate the transport of harmful microbes,
pathogens and algal species.

The report also cites research that suggested some people are attracted by ‘technological solutions’ as
an alternative to changing behaviour. Labelling a product as biodegradable may be seen as a technical
fix that removes responsibility from the individual, resulting in a reluctance to take action.

For more information, please contact:

Michal Szymanski, UNEP News & Media, [email protected], +254715876185

NOTES TO EDITORS

The full report can be downloaded at:

http://unep.org/gpa/documents/publications/BiodegradablePlastics.pdf

About GPA

Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities
(GPA) is the only global intergovernmental mechanism directly addressing the connectivity between
terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems.

It was created in 1995 when over 108 governments declared “their commitment to protect and preserve
the marine environment from the impacts of land-based activities, through the Washington Declaration.
UNEP hosts the GPA Coordinating Unit and coordinates some activities in support of the programme.
Intergovernmental Review Meetings are organized every 5 years to review the progress made by
countries in the implementation of the GPA through their respective National Action Plans.

About GPML

The Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML) launched during the United Nations Conference on
Sustainable Development, Rio + 20, in June 2012, is a voluntary open-ended partnership for
international agencies, governments, businesses, academia, local authorities, nongovernmental
organizations and individuals. It is hosted by the GPA and aims to gather partners together to work on
further reducing and better managing marine litter.

Seven charts that explain the plastic pollution problem

10 December 2017

Share

Chinese worker sorts through plastic bottlesImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Marine life is facing "irreparable damage" from the millions of tonnes of plastic waste which ends up in
the oceans each year, the United Nations has warned.
"This is a planetary crisis... we are ruining the ecosystem of the ocean," UN oceans chief Lisa Svensson
told the BBC this week.

But how does this happen, where is most at risk and what damage does this plastic actually do?

Why is plastic problematic?

Plastic as we know it has only really existed for the last 60-70 years, but in that time it has transformed
everything from clothing, cooking and catering, to product design, engineering and retailing.

One of the great advantages of many types of plastic is that they're designed to last - for a very long
time.

And nearly all the plastic ever created still exists in some form today.

In July a paper published in the journal Science Advances by industrial ecologist Dr Roland Geyer, from
the University of California in Santa Barbara, and colleagues, calculated the total volume of all plastic
ever produced at 8.3bn tonnes.

Of this, some 6.3bn tonnes is now waste - and 79% of that is in landfill or the natural environment.

This vast amount of waste has been driven by modern life, where plastic is used for many throwaway or
"single use" items, from drinks bottles and nappies to cutlery and cotton buds.

Four billion plastic bottles...

Drinks bottles are one the most common types of plastic waste. Some 480bn plastic bottles were sold
globally in 2016 - that's a million bottles per minute.

Of these, 110bn were made by drinks giant Coca Cola.

Some countries are considering moves to reduce consumption.

Proposals in the UK include deposit-return schemes, and the improvement of free-drinking water
supplies in major cities, including London.

So how much plastic waste ends up in the sea?

It's likely that about 10m tonnes of plastic currently ends up in the oceans each year.

In 2010 scientists from the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis and the University of
Georgia in Athens estimated the figure as 8m tonnes, and forecast that to rise to 9.1m tonnes by 2015.

The same study, published in the journal Science in 2015, surveyed 192 coastal countries contributing to
ocean plastic waste, and found that Asian nations were 13 of the 20 biggest contributors.

China was top of the list of countries mismanaging plastic waste, but the US also featured in the top 20
and contributed a higher rate of waste per person.

Plastic waste accumulates in areas of the ocean where winds create swirling circular currents, known as
gyres, which suck in any floating debris.

There are five gyres around the globe, but the best known is probably the North Pacific gyre.

It is estimated debris takes about six years to reach the centre of the North Pacific gyre from the coast of
the US, and about a year from Japan.

All five gyres have higher concentrations of plastic rubbish than other parts of the oceans.

They are made up of tiny fragments of plastic, which appear to hang suspended below the surface - a
phenomenon that has led it to being described as plastic soup.

And the hard-wearing qualities of most plastics means that some items can take hundreds of years to
biodegrade.
However, there are moves to clean up the North Pacific gyre. An operation led by a non-profit
organisation Ocean Cleanup is due to begin in 2018.

How bad are things in the UK?

The Marine Conservation Society found 718 pieces of litter for every 100m stretch of beach surveyed
during their recent Great British Beach Clean Up. That was a 10% increase on last year.

Rubbish from food and drink constituted at least 20% of all litter collected, the MCS reported.

The origin of a lot of the litter is difficult to trace, but the public contributes about 30%. "Sewage-related
debris", or items flushed down toilets that should have been put in the bin, amounted to some 8.5%.

Why is plastic so harmful to marine life?

For sea birds and larger marine creatures like turtles, dolphins and seals, the danger comes from being
entangled in plastic bags and other debris, or mistaking plastic for food.

Turtles cannot distinguish between plastic bags and jellyfish, which can be part of their diet. Plastic bags,
once consumed, cause internal blockages and usually result in death.

Larger pieces of plastic can also damage the digestive systems of sea birds and whales, and can be
potentially fatal.

Over time, plastic waste slowly degrades and breaks down into tiny micro-fragments which are also
causing scientists concern.

A recent survey by Plymouth University found that plastic was found in a third of UK-caught fish,
including cod, haddock, mackerel and shellfish.

This can result in malnutrition or starvation for the fish, and lead to plastic ingestion in humans too.

The effect on humans of eating fish containing plastic is still largely unknown.
But in 2016 the European Food Safety Authority warned of an increased risk to human health and food
safety "given the potential for micro-plastic pollution in edible tissues of commercial fish".

Produced by Alison Trowsdale, Tom Housden and Becca Meier. Design by Sue Bridge and Joy Roxas.

Odfjell

Ethelyn terminal

Odfjell Terminals has announced that the basic engineering contract has been awarded for the possible
development of an ethylene export terminal at its facility in Seabrook, Texas. The contract has been
granted to JGC America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese engineering contractor JGC
Corporation. With this agreement, Odfjell Terminals enters into the last phase of engineering before the
final investment decision.

In the US, many new ethane crackers have been announced and are under construction as a result of
the shale gas revolution, which provides US crackers a significant feedstock advantage compared to
crackers in Europe and Asia.

To date, there are no efficient export facilities for ethylene in the US. The ethylene terminal will allow
producers, consumers and traders to export ethylene to other parts of the world. The terminal in
Seabrook is ideally located nearby all major ethylene pipeline corridors, and has land available for
expansion with marine infrastructure.

“We strongly believe that Odfjell Terminals’ ethylene facility can open global markets for ethylene
produced in the US. It will provide producers, traders and consumers the opportunity to take advantage
of the competitive cost price of US produced ethylene. Our terminal in Seabrook is in an excellent
location at the entrance of the Houston Ship Channel, and allows unrestricted access for ethylene
carriers to our dedicated ship dock. The high loading rates of our terminal will ensure swift turnaround
times of our customer’s vessels”, said Frank Erkelens, CEO of Odfjell Terminals.

About Odfjell Terminals:

Odfjell Terminals is a global provider of tank storage services, owned by Odfjell SE (51%) and Lindsay
Goldberg LLC (49%). Odfjell Terminals’ strategy is to grow within its current footprint of terminals,
especially in Rotterdam and Houston. A key objective is to harvest synergies with Odfjell Tankers. The
group’s current capacity is 3.5 million CBM of storage space with ~950 tanks.

Odfjell Terminal operates nine tank terminals, which are located in key ports around the world. Odfjell
Terminals offers in Rotterdam a toll distillation service for the petrochemical and petroleum industry
(PID). The terminal network also includes a cooperation agreement with a group of tank terminals in
South America, partly owned by related parties.

Biopolymers and Recycling

PREV NEXT

Pioneer electronics researcher Tasuo Hosoda displays a prototype model of a Blu-ray disc made of corn
starch polymer. On the right are corn starch polymer pellets.

Pioneer electronics researcher Tasuo Hosoda displays a prototype model of a Blu-ray disc made of corn
starch polymer. On the right are corn starch polymer pellets.

YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/GETTY IMAGES

As we mentioned earlier, there are other polymers besides plastics. Naturally occurring polymers, such
as starches, cellulose, soy protein, vegetable oil, triglycerides and bacterial polyesters, can be extracted
from crops and bacteria. Furthermore, plants and microorganisms can produce substances like lactic
acid, which can be polymerized into bioplastics (polylactic acid, for example). There are two strategies
for producing bioplastics.

Fermentation: Bacteria or other microorganisms mass-produce the biopolymers in bioreactors

(fermentation tanks). The biopolymers (lactic acid, polyesters) are extracted from the bioreactors and
chemically processed into plastics.

KEEP READING BELOW

Genetic engineering plants as bioreactors: Biotechnologists introduce bacterial genes into plants. These
genes code for the enzymes to make bacterial plastics. The plants are grown and harvested, and the
plastics are extracted from the plant material.
In 1997, Cargille Dow made a clear plastic (polylactide) from corn. The polylactide fibers were woven
into sports apparel, upholstery fabrics and bioplastic wraps.

Bioplastics have the advantage of being produced from renewable resources (bacteria, plants) rather
than nonrenewable resources (oil, natural gas). Furthermore, bioplastics are biodegradable -- they can
break down in the environment (see How Landfills Work). Bioplastics is a potentially important industry.
With current technology, bioplastics might be more expensive to produce, but biotechnology is rapidly
advancing and production may become more economical in the future.

Recycling Plastics

Oil-based plastics don't degrade, but many types (including PP, LDPE, HDPE, PET, and PVC) can be
recycled. Each type has a code and identifying number, but some plastics aren't as economically feasible
to recycle. So it's important to check with your recycler or municipality about which types of plastics will
be accepted.

Once collected, plastics go through the following steps

Inspection to weed out contaminants and inappropriate types of plastic

Shredding and washing

Separation based on density

Drying

Melting

Draining through fine screens to remove more contaminants

Cooling and shredding into pellets

Selling back to plastic companies

The discovery of plastics revolutionized our society by introducing a huge variety of lightweight, strong,
flexible products with many uses. Although plastics do pose disposal problems, recycling is always a
possibility. Furthermore, new research into biopolymers may produce new bioplastic products from
renewable resources that are biodegradable and easier on our environment

SOURCES:
American Chemistry Council, Plastics 101.
http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/sec_learning.asp?CID=1571&DID=5957

American Chemistry Council, Hands-On Plastics Science Education Web site.

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/hands_on_plastics/

National Geographic Society. "Polymers: They're Everywhere."

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/Polymers/

The Vinyl Institute. "Vinyl - the Material." http://vinylinfo.org/materialvinyl/material.html

Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab, "Making Homemade Plastic."

http://www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/Experiments/ExpMakingPlastic.htm

Greenemeier, Larry. "Making Plastics Out of Pollution." Scientific American Online.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=1FEC9213-E7F2-99DF-31B07212C78BDACD&chanID=sa003

Greenemeier, Larry. "Making Plastics as Strong as Steel." Scientific American Online.

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