The start of these items have something to do with our needs as a consumer because these are used in many grocery stores because they needed these bags to put their customers items. With these, they have provided that need. It was also known that these items were made with synthetic chemicals and petrochemicals that allow it to be really great to have. It really is something that you would need to have when you would like to see how these are as bags. It is tough and durable unless forcibly torn. It is also important that we be able to see how to keep reusing it because it can cause a global problem.

It already has and the whole world of consumers is really doing their best to use brown paper bags to help the environment. Unlike plastics, these are biodegradable and may be safely disposed of. It is also important that we be able to remember to also not buy plastics because we have a lot which come from the grocery store. Though brown paper bags do have a disadvantage and that is we end up having to pick up our items when it tears. So, now, we have biodegradable plastics which may be alright to be disposed of.

With these, we are trying to really satisfy our customers’ needs and our environment. We really should do our best in trying to save our world because it is the only one that we have. Remember that these are really important steps because it is part of living healthily. Go ahead and advocate for our planet because it is important to a lot of us.

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The earliest is during the year 1284. What is essential during 1284? In this year, the 1^st recorded mention made by the Horner’s Company of London, with tortoiseshell and horn as the early natural plastic. In 1823, Macintosh makes use of rubber gum to waterproof cotton. The same year, “mac” was born. 39 years after, that was 1862, the Display of Parkesine (cellulose nitrate) took place in London’s Great International Exhibition. After 10 years (1872), the Hyatt Brothers came up with the first plastics injection molding machine followed by George Kodak patents machine for photographic film and Viscose silk developed by Bevan and Cross. The discovery involving plastic never stopped. All look forward in producing the best quality material.

During 1900-1929, there are great achievements. People continuously experience triumph in discovering the world of plastic. The years between 1900-1929 are even fruitful with the rise of Casein plastics by Erenoid, Viscose stockings of Germany, Eichengrun’s first cellulose acetate powder, phenolic laminates, thiourea formaldehyde resins, coloured thermosetting plastic tableware, Eckert and Ziegler molding machines, Screw per-plasticisation in injection moulding, Crawford at ICI develops the first commercial synthesis of poly, Plunkett (DuPont) discovers PTFE, and more. Mentioned are few of the highlighted events happened in years 1900-1929.  A lot of things happened until the plastics of war.

1940s mark the plastics of war. During the 1940s, the application of polyethylene in radar, production of PVC and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) happened. In 1941, Whinfield and Dickson introduce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which later followed by the rise of a polyester fiber names Terylene.  7 years after, the Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) was produce and George deMestral popularized Velcro as the introduction of 12” long playing records lout of PVC appeared. In 1949, many significant events happened. It is where the 1^st Airfix model produced, polystyrene was made as a commercial plastic and the launching of the USTupperware was made. Lycra was then invented by DuPont.

1950s are for fashion, textiles, toys, and domestic uses. Polyethylene bag appears, ICI starts a new factory at Redcar for Terylene production, Commercialisation of polyester fibres, Dow Chemical Co. introduces Polystyrene foam, DuPont files patents for 1^st  acetals, Bayer and General Electric production of polycarbonates, and Barbie Doll is made possible by the Mattel at American International Toy Fair.

In 1960s and 70s, it was the year for plastics color and design. Water based acrylic paints came to rise. Polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) was prepared by ICI. Then, the first commercial mobile phones took place. Right after these significant years, high performance plastics came. 80s and 90s are the years for high performance plastics. Linear low density polyethylene, HDPE pressure pipes, slim plastic Swatch, ICI and Bayer launch PEEK, light emitting polymers, smart cars, and more appeared.

The latest, Nano-Technology already penetrates also the NASA explorations and Polycond projects. These are focused to greener plastics that fit the future.

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But where does plastic actually come from? Plastic are man-made products, where man uses chemicals to make plastic. They use carbon and oil to make plastic. If they want to put some color they also incorporate coloring into the mixture. There are several companies that actually produce plastic materials where they use a machine to mix the ingredients and also come up with the product that they want. Plastic has made great impact in human lives in both positive and negative. The positive impact of plastic is it made the life of man easy and convenient. You can know store your food using plastic containers. Most of the plastic products are disposable so reduce the work of. In most parties, they use plastic cups and plastic plates and utensils to avoid breakables, washing, and clutters after the party. if you use plastic materials you can easily dispose it without worrying about your washing the used utensils. All you need to have is black bag where you can put it all there and throw it away.

The negative impact of plastic in human lives is it’s the number reason of clogged drainage. Since plastic are non-dissolvable, they are stocked inside the drainage and stops water from flowing which is the common cause of flood in one area. Most of the flood happens because the drainage is not working and when they check it it’s full of plastic products that were stocked in the hole. But this problem normally happens if the people in that area do not care about their surroundings and their environment. There are other places and countries that are very strict when it comes to garbage disposal where the citizens are not allowed to throw any garbage on the street. They need to properly dispose it to the garbage can. That’s why most of the places that have this kind of law have minimal experience when it comes to flood because their drainage is perfectly working. Plastic can only be dissolved if you burn it but the smoke will also create pollution in the air where it could affect the lungs of the people. So, make sure that you know how to properly dispose your garbage, try to segregate your garbage so you can properly dispose them.

Plastic are very useful and helpful but we need to know how to properly dispose it to avoid adding damage to the environment. Plastic were made to make our lives easy and not to make our life miserable because of carelessness. Take advantage of the usage of the plastic and you will see that your life will be much better.

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If you still go to school then you probably know a little on how plastics are manufactured. Due to unique human interventions, production is not a problem anymore. Manufacturing industries can make high-quality products with superb plastic material. Production is swift due to the machineries, methods and technology. Machines which are intended for plastic industry improved a lot. They can even operate even for long hours. Plastic is of different kinds. You can’t just say that the same plastic is use in making a bowl from those contained in helmets. Won’t you believe that wood is a useful material in the making? Yes, we have ping-pong balls, cellophane and celluloid film. A specific kind of plastic referred to as Polystyrene is made out of oil which includes Styrofoam. Polyvinyl Chloride or short for PVC is also made possible through oil but it is stronger just like pipes and VCRs do.  Nylon is another potential type. This is useful in the clothing industry like those who make and sell nylon stockings and parachutes. In paint, acrylic is still under the plastic family. Even in cars and soda bottles, plastic still intervened. For bullet-proof vests, Kevlar is simply amazing.

Knowing the history of plastic is relatively important to negative effects of plastic wastes around us. Yes, the world is completely polluted. Wastes taken from bigger factories are not the reasons of global warming, sickness and unhealthy environment. Plastics are always a part of our life. But, too much dependency to it might lead to destruction.

In 1862, the first man-made plastic was completely introduced at the Great International Exhibition. It is through Alexander Parkes that plastic started. In Parkesine or Parkes’ time, the material is molded with the use of heat but once totally cool, it could be back again to its original shape. In the 19^th century, John Wesley Hyatt used celluloid which later becomes thermoplastic. Afterwards, Leo Baekeland which is a chemist invented the liquid resin or in short, thermoset plastic. The qualities become amazing since his discovery becomes beneficial to the armed forces.

Year after year, plastic evolves as history of plastics become lengthy. With a little know how about history, we get to travel back. We have determined the persons who made necessary contributions to the field. They have even succeeded in making their inventions. Why can’t you? But, we should use the material right. Repeat using when necessary and never burn plastic. Reuse and recycle. Be part of the amazing history.

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Instead of helping people bring along water with them anywhere they go, it started a plastic water bottle controversy. Yet, it is important that you do not plainly focus on the disadvantage alone because whether you accept it or not, there will also be some advantages that come along with it. To begin with, the disadvantage will only come in when you do not realize the value of proper disposal. Many people use plastic bottles because they are convenient and disposable, whereas bottles made from stainless steel or other reusable materials must be carried around when empty. It will surely be more confident if your drinking water is in a plastic bottle. Aside from the fact that it is way lighter, it can also be very handy for you.

In addition, as soon as the water is gone from a plastic bottle, you can simply get rid of it and move on to the next bottle. It is indeed that convenient. You never have to wash the container again because you can simply purchase a new one. Yet, this can be both a pro and a con for using plastic water bottles. First of all, if you choose to recycle the plastic bottles then the disposability becomes an advantage. In fact, over time there have been different kinds of recycled items that are still very useful. You can search through the internet about the ways in which you can recycle your used bottle of water. Truly, you can make a disadvantage becomes an advantage.   However, if you throw the bottle into a nearby garbage can instead, you are contributing to waste that takes a long time to degrade, furthering pollution and this is where the disadvantage comes in.

Another thing is that, the portability that these bottled water offers is indeed irresistible. The fact that you can take it with you anywhere you may go is indeed a great convenience in your end. In fact, when you need to take water on the go, having a container to transport it in is essential. Plastic water bottles offer that portability that is beyond compare. There is no need for you to worry about what to do because all you need to do is grab the bottle and go. Since, plastic is lightweight and can easily be carried with you wherever you go, there is truly no need for you to worry abut it at all. If you run out of water while you are away from home, you can simply refill your plastic water bottle or carry more than one with you at a time; this how convenient bottled water is.

Lastly, you need to remember that the plastic water bottle controversy will always rely in you. It is you who chooses to make it an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. What you just need to be aware of is that as you choose, you will also be faced with their effects and it is something that is beyond your control already.

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Health is at risks when plastics are not properly manufactured. Today, many companies manufacture plastic. But, not all follow proper protocols or standards. Can’t you see that almost all items have their plastic versions? See your kitchen. Can you name some items which are mainly made of such man-made material? Obviously, you have cooking pots, bowls, stools, containers, and basin made of plastic. See. That’s how dependent you are. There is nothing wrong in using plastic-made materials but be sure that not too much. Avoid burning and throwing anywhere. Do things that will reduce the problems on waste disposal. The material can’t be easily dissolved. It takes a long process before it can be thoroughly disposed. This is why, learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Minimizing dependency can help eliminate plastics health concerns that threatens. Start giving solutions at home. Warn every family member to become responsible enough in their actions.

Manufacturers should make necessary interventions during the production. The material is available in many types. Others are extra-durable and that makes them unique. But, those added chemicals or substances have negative impacts on humans, animals and the environment. These potential hazards include the ff: toxicity, carcinogens and endocrine disruption. Direct toxicity is mainly taken from cadmium, lead and mercury. Carcinogens on the other hand is common in DEHP or diethylhexyl phthalate while endocrine disruption can lead to severe health issues such as birth defects, cancer and developmental issues in children. If you are not an informed user, you may face some critical issues which you do not expect to happen.

People are exposed to plastics not only through production but even through packaging. Chemicals can be transferred to the food we eat. Some food containers are made of dangerous components such as Styrene, plasticizers, Acetaldehyde, and antioxidants. These chemicals create good quality plastics but they are not safe. This is why humans are advised to buy food contained in glass containers than those contained inside plastic. We should not even heat our foods using plastic-made pots. People are even warned to get rid of PVC and Styrene-based products.

Plastics health concerns are the biggest challenges to us. We cannot completely eliminate them. But, there is still a way to lessen dependency. Besides, recycling is easier to do. Those plastic-made items that you can still use can be recycled. Empty bottles are perfect as home decorations or school projects. Plastic bags can be used over and over again especially when you shop for grocery items. Damaged containers can be sold in junk shops instead of throwing them anywhere. Some can be used as pots for plants that you like to have if you know how to recycle then there is no such thing as giant dump sites. There would be no pollution. Our health won’t be put at risk. In short, there is no threat.

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Base on what you have read above, let’s go back to the question – are there really plastic in our diet? Well in fact it can influence our food and these materials actually bring toxins to the food, and could you imagine that we are taking these toxins inside our body? There is a termed used to the process of bringing toxins to the food is called migration. Base on study, it was found out that there are actually different toxins involved in this material. Now, the intervention that the FDA needs to do is to conduct tests for various foods placed in plastic containers. Even those cooking utensils that are made of plastic should undergo tests to make sure that it’s safe to use. Nowadays, most of the cooking utensils that you can buy in the market are made of plastics which could be alarming because of this information that was found out on using plastic materials. It’s should be required that food bottles and containers should have recycle codes, which other plastic product have this already. There should be a number between 1 and 7 which will denote the recycle code. The numbers will tell the consumers on how many times the plastic should be recycled.

If it’ll be proven that there are plastics in our diet, this could actually bring or cause serious health issues. One of those that you can consider is the Phthalates. These are just one of the many chemicals present in many plastic-made items. What Phthalates can do to plastics is it determines the softness or flexibility of the material. This type of chemical is used in various industries such as in food and construction. Other products that use Phthalates are beauty products, wood finishes, solvents, and even pesticides. These chemicals could actually cause severe health problems such as miscarriage, infertility in male, cancer, and even asthma. If these chemicals are really visible on the food that we eat, what do you expect? Like what we talked about earlier these chemicals can really affect our health big time. That’s why we need to be extra careful when we buy food and other products that are stored in a plastic container.

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So, where does plastic come from? This question is essential. The material is a man-made product. Don’t believe that it occurs naturally. The procedure in manufacturing it isn’t crucial but it takes a whole lot of knowledge to perfect the type of plastic that you need. Based on studies, almost all types of plastics are made pout of oil through a unique procedure that affect the oil’s carbon content. Carbon is the main ingredient in making such material. Since oil has lots of carbon, no doubt that it is popularly used. Carbon is cannot be seen using your naked eye. It is minute in size. Out of a little carbon, a plastic can be made. Aside from carbon in oil, gas, water, coal, and plants are also used.

Good quality plastic is made out of a high-quality source. If majority of the items you have in the kitchen is made of plastic, it would be nice to know that those things can last a lifetime. The main factor that would ruin the material is heat. If you place it on fire, it will eventually melt. Once deformed, you can’t return the object into its old look. The best thing that you can do is to keep it in the storage or have it sold in the junk shop. Avoid burning plastic. It is not safe. It is even harmful to the environment so if you can’t use it, sell it.

Yes, plastic is a man-made product. It has the best qualities. It can be used longer. But, it is not biodegradable. In short, it can’t be naturally decomposed so we are facing a huge problem in disposing now. Dumpsites are already loaded with plastics. There is a lot of waste. Others don’t even know how to recycle. If you are a fan of plastic, be sure you know how to use it. Re-use and recycle. Be aware of the different recycling programs. With the advancement of the manufacturing tools and more extensive research, agencies start to manufacture biodegradable alternatives. These alternatives aim to outnumber the usefulness and durability of such material.

By exploring where plastic comes from, we can make better choices. We can better quality ones, options that can be decomposed easily.  Is it possible to maintain a better place to live despite the abundance of plastic-made products? Yes, it is. Just cut down your waste. Lessen your dependency. Learn other effective ways of recycling. Reuse your old bags instead of taking new ones. Decorate those old containers instead of throwing them away. It is not only important to know the origins of plastic. As an earth inhabitant, you also need to know the proper ways of using the material to avoid the future dilemma.

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For the history of plastic, back in 1868, plastic materials trace their origin in the US, there was a young printer named John Wesley Hyatt who came up with Celluloid, the first American plastic. What he did to come up with plastic was that he mixed pyroxylin made from cotton (one of nature’s polymerics), and nitric acid, with camphor which resulted to an entirely different and new product. After that invention, celluloid have become popular in many markets, this includes the first photographic film used by George Eastman to produce the first motion picture film in 1882. Up to this day, the material is still in use under its chemical name, cellulose nitrate. Another interesting historical event happened in 1909 when Dr. Lee Hendrick Baekeland introduced phenoformaldehyde plastic or popularly known as “phenolics”. This is the first plastic to achieve worldwide acceptance. In significance to that, Baekeland also evolved techniques for controlling and modifying the phenoformaldehyde reaction so that products could be formed under heat and pressure from the material. One of the best parts of using plastic is it has the characteristics to be liquefied so it can be formed into various shapes under heat and pressure.

And in 1920s, the third major thrust in the development of plastic took place, this was when the cellulose acetate was introduce (this type of plastic is similar in structure to cellulose nitrate but the difference is it’s safer to process and use), ureaformaldehyde is a type of plastic which can be processed like the phenolics, but can also be molded into light colored articles that are more attractive than black and browns in which you can only see on phenolics. Another type is the polyvinyl chloride or commonly known as PVC, or vinyl. Another product was also developed in the late 1920s which is the nylon through the classic research of W.T. Carothers.

Each decade, there were different discovery of plastic material just like in the 1930’s. The acrylic resins for signs and glazing was introduced, and the commercialization of polystyrene as happened. This became the third largest-selling plastic, literally revolutionizing segments of the house wares, toys, and packaging industries. In that same year, melamine resins were also introduced, which later became a critical element (in the form of a binder) in the development of decorative laminate tops, vertical surfacing, and the like. Polyethylene is the most widely used plastic. Then in 1950’s polypropylene and the development of acetal and polycarbonate are the two plastics that, along with nylon, came to form the nucleus of a sub-group in the plastics family known as the “engineering thermoplastics.” In 1960s and 1970s, thermoplastic polyesters with the kind of outstanding resistance to gas permeation that made them applicable for use in packaging was introduced.

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Not only you can make use of that very long lifespan of plastic but it can also allow you to save more things. For instance, by recycling it you can save the amount of water used by one person in almost two month and nearly 2000 pounds of oil as well. This is not exaggeration but a fact that you need to know and deal with as well. There might be times when you do not realize that this simple action can indeed create such effect. You always need to remind yourself that it is never too late for you to take part of a worthwhile activity such as recycling plastic which can be your best in share in making the world a better place to live in.

There is indeed nothing else you can do with the lifespan of plastics but you can always think of ways on how you can make use it into something that is quite useful. For instance, you can use paper products, cardboard, plastic, glass and aluminum you have at home into some art project that you can still use. You can follow through the given direction on videos over the internet so that you would have easier time or you can think of your own ways in which you can stir your imagination and as well as cultivate your inner creativity. This can even be a good activity for you and your kids. Aside from the fact that you can indeed help the environment, you can also spend quality time with your kids and will eventually strengthen your personal relationship together.

Lastly, the lifespan of plastics is not within your control but recycling it into something useful is always within your own control. It is always your chosen response that can make such difference. You simply can’t rely on others to help the environment when you know that you can do your share as well.

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