Plastic & Paper Environmental Footprint – Research
Plastics are made from oil and the world’s annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today. As much as 8% of the world’s oil production may be used to make plastics and we throw away most of this as it is used mainly in packaging. Plastic is a difficult material to recycle as there are many different types of plastic and it is bulky and light. Some types of plastic are worth more than others to recyclers but these have to be sorted from the rest. However, plastic recycling is carried out to some extent. A report on the production of carrier bags made from recycled rather than virgin polythene concluded that the use of recycled plastic resulted in the following environmental benefits: education of energy consumption by two-thirds, production of only a third of the sulfur dioxide and half of the nitrous oxide, reduction of water usage by nearly 90%, reduction of carbon dioxide generation by two-and-aha If times. A different study concluded that 1.8 tonnes of oil are saved for every tonne of recycled polythene produced.
The environmental footprint of plastic is a pressing issue that must be addressed. Plastic has a detrimental impact on marine life, contributes to environmental pollution, and often has no viable alternatives. Plastic pollution is a driver of changes in the structure, function, and diversity of marine ecosystems. The study found that plastic debris can act as a vector for the transport of invasive species, as well as providing a substrate for the growth of biofilm organisms. This can result in changes to the food chain and potentially cause a decrease in the abundance of some species. Additionally, the ingestion of plastic debris by marine organisms can lead to a variety of adverse health effects. This includes a range of physical, chemical, and toxicological effects, such as physical blockages of the digestive tract, chemical changes in the body, and the accumulation of toxins. RL Reddy, VS Reddy, and GA Gupta discussed this issue in their 2013 article in the International Journal of Emerging Science and Technology. They suggested that bioplastics, biodegradable polymers, and lignin-based polymers are among the most promising alternatives to traditional plastic. These materials are made from renewable sources and are biodegradable, making them more sustainable than their conventional counterparts. Additionally, these materials are lighter and stronger than traditional plastics, and can be produced at a lower cost. By reducing our consumption of plastic and other waste, we can ultimately reduce our environmental footprint and be proactive in bettering the world we live in. Through recycling, reusing, and reducing plastic usage, we can help the individuals, communities and the planet and be part of the circular economy. Furthermore, stakeholders from all walks of life can and should take part in implementing eco-friendly practices to ensure that our future generations enjoy the same access to resources and healthy environment that we do
The environmental footprint of paper can vary depending on several factors such as the source of the wood fiber used, the manufacturing process, and the disposal method. Here are some of the main environmental impacts of paper:
Deforestation: The main raw material for paper production is wood fiber, which is often sourced from trees in natural forests. Deforestation can lead to soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Water use: Paper production requires a significant amount of water, particularly in the pulp and papermaking processes. This can lead to water scarcity in areas with high paper production.
Energy use: The paper manufacturing process requires a lot of energy, primarily in the form of fossil fuels. This can contribute to climate change and other environmental problems associated with the extraction, transport, and burning of fossil fuels.
Chemical use: Paper production involves the use of various chemicals such as bleaching agents, which can pollute water and air and harm human health.
Waste and recycling: Paper waste can be a significant environmental problem, particularly if it is not recycled. Recycling paper can help reduce the environmental impact of paper production by conserving resources, reducing energy use, and reducing waste.
Overall, the environmental impact of paper depends on several factors, and it is essential to consider the entire lifecycle of paper products, from raw material extraction to disposal, to reduce its environmental footprint.
Here are different viewpoints on whether we should use paper, ceramic or styrofoam cups. Plastic cups are made from nonrenewable oil; paper from renewable wood; ceramic mugs from non-renewable clay. A study by Canadian scientist Martin Hocking shows that making a paper cup uses as much petroleum or natural gas as a polystyrene cup. Plus, the paper cup uses wood pulp. The Canadian study said, ‘The paper cup consumes 12 times as much steam, 36 times as much electricity, and twice as much cooling water as the plastic cup.’ And because the paper cup uses more raw materials and energy, it also costs 2.5 times more than the plastic cup. But the paper cup will degrade, right? Probably not. Modern landfills are designed to inhibit degradation so that toxic wastes do not seep into the surrounding soil and groundwater. The paper cup will still be a paper cup 20 years from now.
Transform
As an illustration major, I waste large amount of paper during the process of sketching. Thus, I decided to reform paper with pieces of plastics and paper shreds.
Results
Results
Making paper by hand at home is a pretty straight forward process. It’s also a fantastic way to use up my wasted papers, scrap papers, junk mail, and copy paper that were about to throw in the recycling bin, and instead create a thing of glorious handmade beauty. Handmade paper units, on the other hand, ‘are mainly constrained only by limited demand. In a world where the emphasis is clearly shifting to environment-friendly products and production systems, the large untapped potential of the handmade paper industry cannot be ignored. For a developing country like India, faced with increasing shortages of natural raw materials, energy sources and capital, the development of this industry offers considerable potential to meet development objectives and respond to demand for both domestic and export products. Eco Friendly Process: Handmade paper manufacturing is a 100% wood free, eco-friendly process, which uses various used (textile waste, ropes, gunny bags, etc.) and unused (plant fibers) cellulosic raw materials which are locally available. A survey shows that 1lakh greeting cards made from handmade papers can save approx. 500 trees. Cellulosic fibers are self-sufficient to make paper but to impart specific desirable properties, mild chemicals (lime, soda as caustic soda, oxalates, oxygen, and peroxides) are used so that a simple effluent treatment plant can treat the effluent, and industry can get Zero Effluent Mill status easily. The only challenge is homemade papers can be extremely fragile, not meeting the quality for common use, I could investigate further in this process and figure out a easy yet effective way to self-recycle papers and plastics.
