Plastics Pollution: Molecular Weight Elements

Plastics Pollution Name of Student Institution Plastics Pollution 1 (A)Plastics are substances that are composed of varied elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, and chlorine. The materials are characterized by a molecular weight of a significantly high degree due to the myriad atoms available in the composition. Synthetic plastics are produced with a close mimicry of the natural high molecular weight elements such as rosin, horn, and wood. Polymers are the kind of plastics that are formed through a long-chain linking of small cell units in the form of monomers to result in a complex plastic compound. Polymerization is the involving the chemical bonding of carbon atoms forming monomers, that, in turn, result in polymer formation. (B)Plastics constitute elements such as carbon, hydrogen, sulphur, and sometimes silicon that combine in particular proportions to result in plastics. A large portion of plastics consists of thermoplastics which is around 92%. (C)Oil, natural gas, and coal (carbon) are the building blocks of plastics. The process through which raw materials are acquired involves the isolation of chemicals of hydrocarbon embedded in natural gas, coal, and petroleum culminating in pure chemical streams. Some chemicals under a process called “cracking” where a particular catalyst which alters the pace of the reaction. Monomers emerge from the raw materials through the conversion process that occurs under extreme pressure and temperature. The monomers so produced could be propylene, ethylene, and butane among others. Benzene and xylene obtained from petroleum are further subjected to a reaction with other monomers which lead to the formation of monomers for the manufacture of polyester, polystyrene, and nylon. The monomerization of petroleum products gets rid of the petroleum fractions in the process. Petroleum and oil supply are limited thus the future of plastic production is at stake. The production process would be expensive since the demand for the raw materials will skyrocket and more alternatives would have to be sought ("How much oil is used to make plastic? - FAQ - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)", 2019). The recycling and reuse of plastic products would be the most immediate mitigation measure to avert the looming plastic production crisis. 2. (A) A “Resin Code” is the symbol system that is deployed internationally when placed on products made from plastic with a view to identifying the kind of resin the respective product is obtained, commonly shortened to RIC (ACCA, 2019). (B) Some of the resin codes present in the ACC handout are PET, HDPE, and PVC that represent polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride and the items found bearing them are Coca-Cola bottle, milk bottle, and the plastic bags respectively (ACCA, 2019). Defining Resin Code Characteristics 1 -PET or PETE is containing the Arabic numeral located at the heart of three recycling symbols. The resin codes portray clear, gas/moisture proof, and tough traits. -HPDE code has Arabic numeral “2” placed at the centre of three symbols representing the recycling activity and the code underpins products that have efficient barrier attributes, stiff, and translucent unless pigmented (ACCA, 2019). -PVC resin code comes with three recycling symbols with numeral “3” inscribed at the centre of such signs. (2) PET is deployed in the manufacture of bottles for soft drinks, HPDE for processing of bottles of milk while PVC is employed in the production of plastic bags and other packaging materials respectively (ACCA, 2019). (3) PET is convenient for utilization in soft drink bottle manufacture since the products are clear optically and smooth, resistant to the majority of solvents, and also oxygen, carbon (IV) oxide, and waterproof (ACCA, 2019). The visual appeal increases sales. HDPE touts the potential to resist the effects of most solvents, has a tensile strength of a higher calibre in comparison with other kinds of polyethylene, and the material is stiff with efficient temperature capacities are reflected (ACCA, 2019). PVC is good for packaging products since the by-product is clear and stiff such that accommodation of good is effective and the process helps in the advertisement of the brand to the world outside the business premises as in the case where brand names are emblazoned on the product (ACCA, 2019). (C) Perceived “Final Destinations” of the Products Soft drink bottle-The material may find its way to the shores of the sea or coastline which spoil the aesthetic value of the environment thus deflecting away tourists who come to enjoy the scenery while boosting the economy through the payment of foreign exchange (Not Whale Food, 2019). The economy crumbles under the pressure of low tourists thus...