Plastic Bags
PLASTIC BAGS
Introduction
One of the most commonly used items in modern generation is the plastic bag. Sufficient, convenient, strong and cheap, plastic bags are seem to be perfect for marketing merchandise, foods, drinks and more. However, there are associated issues with the production, use and disposal of these bags which may not be known to most users but which are nonetheless extremely important especially to the environment. To fully understand the ecological footprint of plastic bags, determining the life cycle of it is needed. This report will outline the ecological footprint of plastic bags by assessing the immediate effects associated with their manufacturing, usage and disposal.
Life Cycle of Plastic Bags
I. Manufacturing
Plastics is one of the most abundant materials in this world today. The variety of types and applications are seem to be limitless. PLastic bags are the common use of plastic. However, the production of these bags is destructive to the environment. Extrusion is the process in manufacturing this type of bags.
a.1 Energy
The production of PLastics demands large quantities of both energy and raw materials. Two plastic bags require 990 kJ (kilojoules) of natural gas, 240 kJ of petroleum, and 160 kJ of coal (Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment, 1990). Additionally, there are large amounts of energy used to acquire oil, such as the large, fuel-burning heavy machinery, and most of the electricity used in the process of manufacturing the actual bags comes from coal-fired power plants (Greenfeet, 2004).
a.2 Raw Materials
The main ingredients in plastic bags are petroleum and natural gas. The manufacturing of plastic bags accounts approximately 4 per cent of the world’s total oil production (Greenfeet, 2004). Components of oil or natural gas are heated which creates hydrocarbon monomers. In the manufacturing process, hydrocarbon monomers are manipulated, resulting in the creation of hydrocarbon polymers (Greenfeet, 2004;
Introduction
One of the most commonly used items in modern generation is the plastic bag. Sufficient, convenient, strong and cheap, plastic bags are seem to be perfect for marketing merchandise, foods, drinks and more. However, there are associated issues with the production, use and disposal of these bags which may not be known to most users but which are nonetheless extremely important especially to the environment. To fully understand the ecological footprint of plastic bags, determining the life cycle of it is needed. This report will outline the ecological footprint of plastic bags by assessing the immediate effects associated with their manufacturing, usage and disposal.
Life Cycle of Plastic Bags
I. Manufacturing
Plastics is one of the most abundant materials in this world today. The variety of types and applications are seem to be limitless. PLastic bags are the common use of plastic. However, the production of these bags is destructive to the environment. Extrusion is the process in manufacturing this type of bags.
a.1 Energy
The production of PLastics demands large quantities of both energy and raw materials. Two plastic bags require 990 kJ (kilojoules) of natural gas, 240 kJ of petroleum, and 160 kJ of coal (Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment, 1990). Additionally, there are large amounts of energy used to acquire oil, such as the large, fuel-burning heavy machinery, and most of the electricity used in the process of manufacturing the actual bags comes from coal-fired power plants (Greenfeet, 2004).
a.2 Raw Materials
The main ingredients in plastic bags are petroleum and natural gas. The manufacturing of plastic bags accounts approximately 4 per cent of the world’s total oil production (Greenfeet, 2004). Components of oil or natural gas are heated which creates hydrocarbon monomers. In the manufacturing process, hydrocarbon monomers are manipulated, resulting in the creation of hydrocarbon polymers (Greenfeet, 2004;
Links: qlink.queensu.ca/~6jrt/chem210/Page5.html> http://www.letstalkplastics.com/facts/plastic-bags-versus-paper-bags http://www.essaysprofessors.com/samples/Environment/Plastic-Bags.html