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[3] 1856: Parkesine, the first member of the Celluloid class of compounds and considered the first man-made plastic, is patented by Alexander Parkes. [4] 1869: John Wesley Hyatt discovers a method to simplify the production of celluloid, making industrial production possible. 1872: PVC was accidentally synthesized in 1872 by German chemist ...
There are differing estimates of how much plastic waste has been produced in the last century. By one estimate, one billion tons of plastic waste have been discarded since the 1950s. [32] Others estimate a cumulative human production of 8.3 billion tons of plastic, of which 6.3 billion tons is waste, with only 9% getting recycled. [33] [34] [35]
By one estimate, one billion tons of plastic waste have been discarded since the 1950s. [50] Others estimate a cumulative human production of 8.3 billion tons of plastic, of which 6.3 billion tons is waste, with only 9% getting recycled. [51] It is estimated that this waste is made up of 81% polymer resin, 13% polymer fibers and 32% additives.
Global Plastic Production (1950-2022) [2] Plastics production has been growing globally. The numbers include thermoplastics and polyurethanes, as well as thermosets, adhesives, coatings, sealants, and PP-fibers. [1] Data was gathered by PlasticsEurope (PEMRG) and Consultic, or the nova-institute. [3] [4]
In 2006 80% of the area covered by plastic mulch is found in China where it has a growth rate of 25% per year; this is the highest in the world. [4] Since its introduction in the 1950s, plastic film has been designed and developed to increase produce yield, increase produce size and shorten growth time.
Plastic recycling is the processing of plastic waste into other products. [1] [2] [3] Recycling can reduce dependence on landfill, conserve resources and protect the environment from plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. [4] [5] Recycling rates lag behind those of other recoverable materials, such as aluminium, glass and paper.
From the start of plastic production through to 2015, the world produced around 6.3 billion tonnes of plastic waste, only 9% of which has been recycled and only ~1% has been recycled more than once. [24] Of the remaining waste, 12% was incinerated and 79% was either sent to landfills or lost to the environment as pollution. [24]
Studies have shown that pumping milk, freezing it in plastic bags, then subsequently heating it up will increase the contamination of microplastics in the milk. [38] Similar results have been seen from heating plastic reusable food containers in a microwave, showing the release of both microplastics and nanoplastics.