Innovations When it Comes to Plastics

Global warming is a prevalent issue known today as we are all affected by it. The abrupt and consistent changes in the temperature and weather have caused inconveniences in the environment and the ecosystem. And one of the culprits? Waste.  

 

 

Although local garbage bin rental St. Catharines Ontario and other services and organizations are making efforts in limiting waste and reusing materials as much as possible. Here, we will talk about the plastic innovations that we have today.  

 

The Innovation of Plastic 

 

Plastic was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907 to make appliances accessible and cheaper for the common people. However, little did he know that his invention would start to be relevant in different industries. Since its invention, plastic has become an important aspect of our lives when it comes to goods and products we use and purchase. The problem is, it takes several years to degrade plastic, and currently, we are literally flooded with it.  

 

Because of its detrimental effects, innovations were made to end or at least minimize plastic waste including the following: 

 

1. roads made up of plastic – plastics flood the ocean and landfill and since they take hundreds of years to degrade, companies have thought of making bridges out of plastic, combining some additives to make roadways. This is with the purpose to reduce carbon emission. 
2. 3D printing using used plastic – 3D printers have become a huge technology today and it is still in the process of development. Because of this, the city of Thessaloniki has thought why not use used plastic for the ink and print furniture for public spaces like parks. This reduces the need to purchase new materials and reuse plastic for the better. 
3. Bricks alternative made of plastic – bricks can be expensive especially in third-world countries, and since building a house is expensive too, an innovation of a brick alternative in home construction is thought and realized. Ecobricks involve empty container plastics stuffed with plastics to make them more resistant and piled like how you pile bricks. The natural characteristics of plastic as being indestructible make it an ideal material for house projects. It is efficient, cheap, and eco-friendly. The eco-bricks project has also expanded in making tables, stages, beds, and walls. 
4. Flower pots made up of plastic – since the pandemic began, planting is now a common hobby shared in the Eastern side of the globe. And because flower pots can be expensive, they thought of using plastic bottles, specifically detergent bottles, as a pot alternative. 
5. Changing Styrofoam to straw – Styrofoam was a thing in the past. In fact, you can see it used everywhere even in the food that you eat. However, since scientists had discovered that it takes several years to decay, laws and policies have been passed banning the use of Styrofoam in certain countries. Insulation companies also have changed the use of Styrofoam and produce insulating materials made up of straw rather than styrofoam. 

 

Because laws and policies about recycling and reusing plastic have become prominent, more and more people, as well as industry, are using more alternatives to plastics.