ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF PHOTODEGRADABLE PLASTICS

During the latter half of this century the production of synthetic pla stics and fibers has grown so that the total volume of plastics produc ed world-wide now exceeds that of steel. This paper is concerned with theoretical and experimental studies relating to the environmental con sequences of such a rapid shift from a technology based primarily on a griculture, forestry and metallurgy to one based on chemical raw mater ials such as oil, coal and natural gas. It is shown that plastics and synthetic fibers have the lowest energy costs of all comparable materi als and cause less environmental pollution in their production and fab rication. They are easily recycled when not contaminated with other ma terials and can be manufactured in photo-or biodegradable modification s tailored to highly Litter-prone applications. The topics covered inc lude sections on resource costs and renewal, environmental considerati ons, the technology and role of photodegradable plastics, and experime ntal studies of the biodegradation of conventional and photodegradable polyethylene, polypropylene and poly(ethylene terephthalate).