Innovation in a Plastic World

Hope Is Not Yet Lost

The magnitude of plastic pollution can seem daunting, but don’t give up! People across the globe are determined to create beautiful, useful things out of plastic waste. This may not stop plastic pollution, but it’s key in turning the tide. Now that you’re equipped with info from parts 1 and 2, stories of creators and communities all over the world can inspire you to get started yourself!

International Policies

Municipalities in many countries are finding ways to reduce their own plastic waste and impact on the environment, through quick thinking and efficient methods.

Kwinana, Australia has developed a relatively cheap and safe system to keep plastic and other garbage out of waterways, by attaching netting to the ends of drain pipes. These work by collecting any waste in the stream inside the net, letting the water filter through and come out the other side waste-free. They’re also relatively safe— after multiple cleanings no animal has been found trapped in them thus far.

Some cities in Canada and other countries have implemented programs where users must pay for extra garbage disposal services. For example, if you have an extra bag of trash that won’t fit in your can, you must pay an extra fee to have it collected. This prompts residents to think through their consumption and disposal of goods and prevents them from buying more than they need to!

Plastic straws, grocery bags and disposable cutlery have all been banned or regulated in states like California. The use of these plastics is usually unnecessary and plenty of alternatives exist, so there isn’t really a reason to use them so sparingly. If other places follow suit, this could significantly reduce plastic pollution around the world. Countries like India are also banning plastics deemed unnecessary, like sticks for flags, balloons, and candy. India has already implemented a ban on certain plastic bags as well.

Bottled water bans are also in effect in places like San Francisco, California, and Bundanoon, Australia, since bottled beverage manufacturers like Nestle and Coca-Cola are some of the largest polluters on the planet. This prompts residents to use reusable water bottles instead, which are not only better for the environment but overall much more cost-effective as well.

That isn’t to say that these policies are perfect, though, as many of them raise accessibility worries. Trash fees may disproportionately affect lower-income people, for example, and a total ban on plastic straws is problematic for some disabled folks, so take each of these with a grain of salt!

Zero-Waste and Minimalism Movements

You may have heard of the awe-inducing efforts of Kathryn Kellogg, a woman who set out to completely eliminate waste from her life in the past few years. She blew the collective internet’s mind when she was able to keep two year’s worth of her trash in only a run-of-the-mill mason jar. While this feat isn’t accessible to everyone, it struck a chord with many of those it reached, sparking a surge in the zero-waste community. Many people who heard about this experiment began to examine their own habits and reduce their own waste, making a big impact! Minimalism is a similar idea, where living only with exactly what you need and nothing more is the task. In a world flooded with overconsumption culture, this movement is making waves as well.

Construction

Eco-Bricking

Eco-Bricking is where certain types of plastic bottles are cleaned and dried, and then packed to the brim with smaller, also clean and dry, plastic waste. This forms a solid and durable compact fit for the construction of small and simple buildings, which means you can use them for small projects at home, or they can be used elsewhere— like the project building classrooms out of them in Guatemala.

RePlast

RePlast is a company making concrete-like bricks out of condensed plastic waste. They’re much lighter than real concrete, however, making them much more climate-friendly to transport. Made to be used in conjunction with traditional construction materials like steel, they’re a great way to reduce plastic and climate pollution while still getting the job done.

FabBRICK

An honorable mention, the FabBRICK is actually made out of textile waste, but with many clothing items nowaday being made of plastic fibers, and the fashion industry being one of the largest contributors to waste and pollution, it’s definitely worth talking about. These panels are great insulators and can be pleasing to the eye (depending on whose eyes they are), so they’re both useful and attractive.

Plastic-Eating Bacteria

Researchers in Japan discovered a bacteria capable of eating PET, a common type of non-biodegradable plastic, in 2016. They theorize that it must have evolved relatively recently since the history of PET is quite short. While tinkering with the enzymes the protein uses to break down this plastic, they accidentally made it much more efficient, meaning with some genetic modification, the bacteria can be made to digest PET much more quickly than it already does (which, by the way, is an impressive speed on its own).

Upcycled Art

Bottle Blossom Decor

Room dividers, curtains, and string lights are just some of the adorable things you can make from plastic bottles. Michelle Brand created the first of these curtains in 2015, using the very bottoms of the bottles to make a transparent, decorative flower design, and stringing them together. You can learn how to make them yourself here.

KaCaMa

KaCaMa is a Hong Kong design lab that utilizes lots of waste, from coathangers and bottle caps to wine corks. Their products not only upcycle trash but also make a statement, both visually and metaphorically. With bold designs and some intense social commentary, this is a project to keep an eye on.

Grocery Bag Weaving

Plastic grocery bags are being put to good use beyond their initial purpose, woven into bags, mats, and other items. With the range of colors and designs on shopping bags nowadays, these objects can come out quite beautifully. They’re also super durable, making them very functional on top of their unique and cool look. I remember having a water bottle holder made this way when I was a kid, and I can attest to their awesomeness!

Ocean Sole Kenya

This project collects used flip-flops and turns them into colorful and amazing works of art. This art is in turn sold and the money from it is used to clean up ocean trash! Their sculptures and displays are absolutely stellar, and each piece is absolutely unique, like this bee! By buying from them you’re also helping reduce Kenya’s sizable unemployment rate of 40%, so it’s a win-win-win!

Plastic Fishing

The Plastic Whale company in Amsterdam is making waterway clean-ups a fun activity for tourists and locals alike! Outings on canal boats made from the very plastics pulled from the water are arranged for those interested to scoop garbage out of the water with nets. Not only is this an ever-popularizing attraction— these plastics are used to make all kinds of awesome furniture, and the company even has a foundation to spread their mission globally.

Bureo

Bureo is a Brazilian company that has partnered with many brands, including Patagonia and even Jenga, to reduce the amount of plastic fishing nets plaguing the ocean. These nets are then turned into hats, surfboard fins, Jenga games, skateboards with super cool fish scale patterns, and office chairs, among other things. Fishing nets, along with other “ghost gear” like traps and lines, make up 10% of all plastic waste in the ocean, so Bureo and similar companies and organizations’ work is crucial.

Amazing initiatives from Guatemala to Kenya to Australia to Japan, and spanning every inhabited continent, hold one of the few keys to halting the plastic takeover in its tracks. There are endless possibilities to what you can do with plastic waste, your only limit is your own imagination. Hope for the future of our planet and livelihood is not yet lost— but it’ll take all of us to get there. Happy creating!

Breaking Down Plastics

Your Comprehensive Guide to Plastic Pollution and Microplastics

Surely you’ve heard people discussing the harm of plastics, but where do they come from, and why exactly are they so bad? The history of plastic is surprisingly brief for its huge impacts on industries, cultures, and lives across the world. Consumers are becoming more and more wary of plastic as its evolution continues, and for good reason. If you harbor curiosity for what’s choking our harbors, read on!

Where Does Plastic Come From?

So, what is plastic made of, anyway?

The plastic-making process starts with a base material, which is usually natural oil, gas, or cellulose from plants. These raw basics are refined into chemicals like ethane and propane, which are then treated with heat until they turn into monomers— chemicals that can be bonded together to form polymers (what plastics are made of)— such as ethylene or propylene. These monomers are then bonded with a catalyst, another chemical that jumpstarts a reaction, which then forms a grainy powder. This powder is melted down and formed into pellets, which are shipped off to factories to be molded into whatever product is being made with them.

The History of Plastic

In 1862, the first semblance of man-made plastic was introduced to the public by Alexander Parkes at the London International Exhibition. He had developed it in an attempt to create an alternative to shellac for waterproofing purposes. It was made of cellulose, and didn’t end up making any big breaks in popularity.

Then, in 1907, scientist Leo Baekeland created “Bakelite,” a new type of plastic made from formaldehyde, now a known carcinogen, and phenol, a byproduct of coal production. He patented it in 1909 and launched his own company, which was the beginning of the rise of the plastics industry.

During the time period of World War II, many innovations in plastic production were made, and new types of plastics emerged for multitudes of uses. England developed a type of plastic called polyethylene in an effort to improve their planes and other war devices, using it as a lightweight insulation for radar cabling. Nylon was also created during this time and was originally marketed for hosiery, but the US army rationed it to make supplies like rope and parachutes. This was when plastics really began to be used regularly.

Oil embargoes in the 1970s prevented oil from being used nearly as much in plastic production, which urged the industry to experiment with other raw materials. They eventually developed plastics made from plant cellulose, which became more and more mainstream in use over time.

Today, the use of plastic is implemented into almost every area of life, meaning that you’re likely wearing and sitting on, in some form, fossil fuels.

Types of Plastics

You may have noticed those number labels on your plastic items, but what do they mean? Each of these numbers, 1-7, is coded to a different type of plastic, which indicates to you, the consumer, what it is used for and whether it can be recycled. Let’s get into specifics:

• Type 1— PET/PETE. This stands for Polyethylene Terephthalate (don’t worry, there’s no quiz), which is used to make many different things, including but not limited to drink bottles, condiment jars, the stuffing in winter jackets, the pellets in bean bags, and hair combs. This type of plastic is commonly recyclable, but make sure that your curbside recycling will take the specific item before you toss it in there (i.e., don’t go putting your bean bags out on the curb— they’ll end up in landfill! Bottles and jars are fine, though.)

• Type 2— HDPE. This stands for High Density Polyethylene, another type of polyethylene (you’ll be seeing this one a lot!). It’s used to make milk jugs, grocery and trash bags, shampoo/conditioner/soap bottles, and detergent and bleach jugs, among other things. Many plastic toys are also made of this type. HDPE bottles and jugs can be recycled curbside, and you may be able to drop off grocery bags for recycling somewhere near you, but again, some of these things like toys will not be accepted through curbside recycling programs.

• Type 3— PVC. Pipes, gutters, window frames, and plastic films are made of this type, which is also known as Polyvinyl Chloride. Some grocery bags are also made with this. You can also thank PVC for some of your tiles, ducts, and shoes, to name a few others. This type of plastic can be recycled, but check with your recycler before doing so.

• Type 4— LDPE. Low Density Polyethylene (you guessed it!) is used to make sandwich bags, cling wrap, squeeze bottles for condiments like ketchup, some grocery bags, and flexible plastic container lids, plus more. This can also be recycled, but as with PVC, contact your recycler to know for sure if they’ll take it.

• Type 5— PP. This stands for Polypropylene, which is what makes up things like plastic diapers, prescription bottles, tupperware, and yogurt tubs. PP has a history of being difficult to recycle, so check with your recycler on this one as well. You can also look for send-in programs where you can ship your PP to them for recycling!

• Type 6— PS. PS stands for Polystyrene, the plastic that makes up fast food to-go containers. Styrofoam, the material used for takeout, disposable cups, packing peanuts and bike helmets, among other things, is a type of polystyrene. Polystyrene is also used to make plastic cutlery and some other things. It’s generally unrecyclable.

• Type 7— Miscellaneous. These plastics are less widely used than the other six types and are therefore given their own category. Things like baby bottles and CDs fall into this category, and are usually unrecyclable, but you can check with your recycler to know for sure on specific items.

Day-to-Day in a Plastic World

Take a moment to think about all the plastic you use on a daily basis, from dawn to dusk and beyond.

The device you’re reading this on is probably framed in plastic or in a plastic case, your pens and mechanical pencils are made of it, your toothbrush likely is. You eat food that comes wrapped in it, and you likely wrap yourself in it, too— many clothes, blankets and towels are made of plastic fibers. You might drink out of it, take your medicine out of it, wear it on your feet in the form of sneakers. Your credit card and ID are made of it.

Look around you right now— how much of your surroundings are made up of plastic? Probably more of them than you think. And nowadays, the alternatives can be hard to find. Why is this such an issue? Read on to find out.

Where Does It All Go?

Somewhere between 75-90% of all plastics disposed of end up in landfills or as litter, meaning a large amount of them will find their way into the ocean. It is estimated that there are 70 kilograms of plastic per every square kilometer of sea floor, where most ocean plastics end up, but much of this plastic also sits at the surface, forming things like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating collection of marine debris that spans from the west coast of the US all the way to Japan. This plastic pollution ends up killing a lot of wildlife, mainly by choking and asphyxiation, but through other ways, too.

No matter where the plastic ends up, it’ll be seeping dangerous chemicals into the environment. Each of the types of plastic we discussed before leach toxins and carcinogens into surrounding areas when they’re exposed to heat and/or moisture in too high levels or for too long.

Microplastics

Plastics don’t fully break down for centuries, meaning that every piece of plastic ever created is still around. But they do break down into smaller and smaller pieces over time, into what’s called microplastics. These specks of plastic are so small that wildlife often mistake them for food or just inhale them somehow, which leads to a serious plastic infiltration of the food chain. Species lower on the food chain consume these specks of plastic, and then these species are eaten by predators, which then carry the microplastics inside of them, all the way up until they reach our own plates. The average human consumes about a credit card’s worth of plastic weekly in microplastics. Crazy, huh?

What Sets Alternatives Apart?

Silicone, Explained

Why is silicone touted as the perfect alternative to plastics?

The answer lies in how it breaks down— or rather in how it doesn’t. Silicone is much more durable than plastic in a variety of ways. It generally doesn’t break down as fast as plastic and is much more heat and water resistant. When it gets too hot— which isn’t usually a problem, considering it’s widely used in the oven— it reverts to its virtually harmless building blocks (silica, carbon dioxide, water vapor) unlike plastic, which, as aforementioned, releases multitudes of toxins and carcinogens. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of silicone use, you can find that info here.

But like all materials, silicone comes with its cons, as well. Since it’s so durable, it cannot biodegrade, so while it is a better alternative to plastic, it ultimately acts the same when it reaches a certain point. Another issue with silicone is the extraction process of the sand it takes to make it. That being said, it’s still a much better alternative to plastics, and is perfectly safe if you buy it food- or medical-grade.

Biodegradable and Compostable Options

There are some alternatives to plastics being made known as bioplastics, which are commonly made of corn, hemp, and other plants, and formed in a different way than traditional plastics in order to break down much more quickly and wholly. And they don’t leach toxic chemicals, either!

Demand for these is growing rapidly but there are a few challenges this new forefront faces, including land usage. These alternatives are also relatively more expensive than traditional plastics to create. To learn more about the trials and tribulations of these, take a look here.

At the end of the day, plastic pollution is killing animals, warping the environment, and leaving unknown impacts on humans that we have yet to fully explore. We are entirely too dependent on plastic, and it’s suffocating this planet. A cultural shift will be crucial in saving wildlife, the earth, and the human race from its detriment. But there is hope— stay tuned for info on how you can help out, and for the inspiring stories of others across the globe combatting plastic pollution.