Reader's Response Draft 3

In the article “Duo Turned Plastic Waste into a Concrete Idea,” Goy (2016) explains that the company BlueRen discovered a method of integrating carbon nanotubes from converted plastic waste into cement through a sustainable method. The article quotes co-founder Aravind Muthiah, who explains that their “technology is about upcycling, and converts plastic waste into high-value products.” The process turns plastics into hydrocarbon gases, creating the carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are beneficial due to their characteristics that can aid in the reduction of cement by 30% in concrete. Despite the multiple benefits, usage is constrained as the nanotubes are expensive and release harmful gases. To combat these issues, BlueRen came out with a recycling process using an alternative mineral as a catalyst that is less harmful to the environment. BlueRen plans to expand on their prototype and to commercialise its technology. While the author mentioned the multiple benefits of carbon nanotubes, there are still significant environmental impacts from plastic recycling that the author did not discuss in detail.

One example of environmental impact that the author did not mention is the production of volatile organic compound (VOC). According to Soffar (2016), VOC is one is the environmental impacts upon melting plastic. Government of Canada stated that VOCs are organic compounds that have high vapour pressures and can evaporate readily into the atmosphere. When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, they are one of the main sources for the formation of ground level ozone and its particulate matter causes smog. Furthermore, VOCs are also toxic to plants and animals that are near to the site. Usage of the recycled plastics containing VOCs poses serious health risk to users.

The production of Plastic Resin is another example of environmental impacts from the process. They are produced from the manufacturing and recycling process, and can seep into food that is stored in the recycled plastic containers. The amount of harmful chemicals that users absorb can increase based on certain factors like temperature, types of plastic and the plastic age. This environmental issue are related to the health issues and it causes damages to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. 

Another source of environmental impact is the unrecyclable plastic waste found during the recycling process. Hartman (2017) mentioned that recycling centre employees might find unrecyclable plastics and discard them improperly. Unrecyclable plastic includes plastic that consist of food waste or debris. Plastic in general are not considered under hazardous waste and recycling it is not mandatory, such waste can be improbably discarded and plastic waste problem continues. 

According to Hartman (2017), he mentioned that the potential health threats that recycled plastic present makes are causing downcycling. Instead of recycled plastics becoming a useful product like plastic cups, it becomes a different and less useful product. Recycled plastic limited use is not favourable as it loses out to new plastics and other recycled materials. After the plastic has been recycled once, they are usually ineligible for another round of recycling. This would mean that the recycled plastics will eventually end up in the landfill despite after it being made into a less useful product. Downcycling is just delaying the inevitable process of plastics ending up in the landfill as the industries constantly demand for new plastic.

In general, BlueRen’s technology is about convert plastic waste into high value product and this technology will eliminate downcycling. Although carbon nanotubes can be effective and readily available, the mentioned environmental impacts from plastic recycling should be taken into serious considerations. The continual of recycling plastic will only worsen the impacts that are already present. (596 words)

References:

Soffar, H. Plastic recycling advantages and disadvantages. (July 28, 2016) Science online. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from

https://www.online-sciences.com/industries/plastic-recycling-advantages-and-disadvantages/

Hartman, D. The Disadvantages of Recycled Plastics. (April 24, 2017) Sciencing. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from 

https://sciencing.com/disadvantages-recycled-plastics-7254476.html

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (August 23, 2017) U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from 

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=31

Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution. (n.d.) Goecopure. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from 

http://www.goecopure.com/environmental-effects-of-plastic-pollution.aspx

Plastics Recycling. (December 8, 2008). Zerowastesg. Retrieved, February 04, 2018 from 

http://www.zerowastesg.com/2008/12/08/plastics-recycling/

Volatile organic compounds overview. (June 22, 2017). Government of Canada. Retrieved February 04, 2018 from 

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/sources-industry/volatile-organic-compounds-consumer-commercial/overview.html

Richards, H. Plastic Recycling: The Process, Advantages and Disadvantages. (August 05, 2014 ). 33^rd Square. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.33rdsquare.com/2014/08/plastic-recycling-process-advantages.html

Interpersonal Conflict

Communication plays a vital role in everyday life. The lack of communication is one of the main cause of conflict. In this particular incident, messages were not conveyed appropriately between two parties. A few weeks ago, when I was making my way to Singapore Polytechnic, I realised that there are several Obikes outside the school. So, I rented one of them.  

I decided to cycle on the pedestrian walkway as it is usually empty. While I was cycling on the pathway, a middle-aged man was walking towards me. I noticed that he was using his phone, instead of looking out for his surroundings from a distance. Right before we collided with each other, I swerved to the edge of the path to avoid collision. However, it was too late because he was oblivious to his environment. His phone dropped on the ground when we knocked on each other.

He immediately blamed me for not alerting him with the bike bell. Initially, I apologised and explained to him because it was unintentional. However, he was agitated and insisted that he would report me to the school to take disciplinary actions on me. Upon hearing that, I got furious and spoke to him harshly. We ended up in a heated argument because neither of us is willing to back off. He hurled a few vulgarities at me and threatened to fight me. He finally got hold of himself after awhile and told me to get out of his sight immediately. I rode off feeling infuriated. On the way back, I reflected on this whole incident. I was indeed at fault for riding on the pedestrian walkway, but he was distracted as well. 

If you were in my situation, how would you have handled the situation differently? (294 words)

Commented:
Gordon
Haziq
Hong Kiat

Revised:
23/2/2018

Reader's Response Draft 2

In the article “Duo Turned Plastic Waste into a Concrete Idea,” Goy (2016) explains that the company BlueRen discovered a method of integrating carbon nanotubes from converted plastic waste into cement through a sustainable method. The article quotes co-founder Aravind Muthiah, who explains that their “technology is about upcycling, and converts plastic waste into high-value products.” The process turns plastics into hydrocarbon gases, creating the carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are beneficial due to its characteristics that can aid in the reduction of cement by 30% in concrete. Despite the multiple benefits, usage is constrained as the nanotubes are expensive and release harmful gases. To combat these issues, BlueRen came out with a recycling process using alternative mineral as a catalyst that is less harmful to the environment. BlueRen plans to expand on their prototype and to commercialise its technology. While the author mentioned the multiple benefits of carbon nanotubes, there are still significant environmental impacts on plastic recycling that the author did not discuss in detail.

Plastic recycling can be a potential environmental threat. Based on Soffar (2016), volatile organic compound (VOC) is one is the environmental impacts upon melting plastic. This action causes VOC to be released. Government of Canada stated that VOCs are organic compounds that have high vapour pressures and can evaporate readily into the atmosphere. When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, it is one of the main sources for the formation of ground level ozone and its particulate matter causes smog. Despite its adverse environmental impacts, it is also toxic to plants and animals that are near to the site. Usage of the recycled plastics containing VOCs poses serious health risk to users. Plastic Resin, which is produced from the manufacturing and recycling process, can seep into food that is stored in the recycled plastic containers. The amount of harmful chemicals that users absorb can increase based on certain factors like temperature, types of plastic and the plastic age. This can cause damages to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. 

Another problem is the carbon emissions generated when melting plastic waste. Richards (2016) reported that this greenhouse gas causes global warming and that is already affecting our climate. Recycling centre employees might find unrecyclable plastics and discard it improperly. Unrecyclable plastic includes plastic that consist of food waste or debris. Plastic in general are not considered under hazardous waste and recycling it is not mandatory, such waste can be improbably discarded and plastic waste problem continues. 

According to Hartman (2017), he mentioned that the potential health threats that recycled plastic present makes are causing downcycling. Instead of recycled plastics becoming a useful product like plastic cups, it becomes a different and less useful product. Recycled plastic limited use is not favourable as it loses out to new plastics and other recycled materials. After the plastic has been recycled once, it is usually ineligible for another round of recycling. This would mean that the recycled plastics will eventually end up in the landfill despite after it being made into a less useful product. Downcycling is just delaying the inevitable process of plastics ending up in the landfill as the industries constantly demand for new plastic.

In general, BlueRen’s technology is about convert plastic waste into high value product and this technology will eliminate downcycling.  Although there are numerous challenges and adverse environmental impacts of plastic recycling process, converting plastic waste into carbon nanotubes will significantly decrease plastic waste issues and cause less harm on the environment. By utilising this technology, carbon nanotubes can be widely used in the industries. (594 words)

References:

Plastic recycling advantages and disadvantages. (July 28, 2016) Science online. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from

https://www.online-sciences.com/industries/plastic-recycling-advantages-and-disadvantages/

The Disadvantages of Recycled Plastics. (April 24, 2017) Sciencing. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

https://sciencing.com/disadvantages-recycled-plastics-7254476.html

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (August 23, 2017) U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=31

Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution. (n.d.) Goecopure. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.goecopure.com/environmental-effects-of-plastic-pollution.aspx

Plastics Recycling. (December 8, 2008). Zerowastesg. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.zerowastesg.com/2008/12/08/plastics-recycling/

Volatile organic compounds overview. (June 22, 2017). Government of Canada. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/sources-industry/volatile-organic-compounds-consumer-commercial/overview.html

Plastic Recycling: The Process, Advantages and Disadvantages. (August 05, 2014 ).  33^rd Square. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.33rdsquare.com/2014/08/plastic-recycling-process-advantages.html

Reader's Response Draft 1

In the article “Duo Turned Plastic Waste into a Concrete Idea,” Goy (2016) explains that the company BlueRen discovered a method of integrating carbon nanotubes from converted plastic waste into cement through a sustainable method. The article quotes co-founder Aravind Muthiah, who explains that their “technology is about upcycling, and converts plastic waste into high-value products.” The process turns plastics into hydrocarbon gases, creating the carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are beneficial due to its characteristics that can aid in the reduction of cement by 30% in concrete. Despite the multiple benefits, usage is constrained as the nanotubes are expensive and release harmful gases. To combat these issues, BlueRen came out with a recycling process using alternative mineral as a catalyst that is less harmful to the environment. BlueRen plans to expand on their prototype and to commercialise its technology. While the author mentioned the multiple benefits of carbon nanotubes, there are still significant environmental impact on recycling plastics that are not discussed in detail as there are a staggering amount of plastic waste being generated in Singapore.

In order to realise the importance of recycling plastic, we must first understand the amount of plastic waste generated in Singapore. According to Zero Waste Singapore, they state that there are 832,200 tonnes of plastic waste generated and only 7% were being recycled. Incinerating plastics will produce poisonous gases. They also mentioned that plastic waste takes up landfill spaces as it requires centuries to break down. Based on Bio-Tech Environmental, plastic waste not only harms the environment, it also contaminates soil and water. 

Despite numerous benefits that may come with recycling plastic waste, there are several complications. Based on Soffar (2016), volatile organic compound (VOC) is one is the environmental impacts upon melting plastic. This action cause VOC to be released. When VOCs are released into the atmosphere, it is toxic to plants and animals that are near the site. Usage of the recycled plastics containing VOCs poses serious health risk to users. Plastic Resin, which is produced from the manufacturing and recycling process can seep into food that are stored in the recycled plastic containers. The amount of chemicals that users absorb can increase based on factors like temperature, type of plastic and plastic age. This might damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. 

Another problem is the carbon emissions generated when melting plastic waste. This greenhouse gas causes global warming and that is already affecting our climate. Recycling centre employee might find unrecyclable plastics and discard it improperly. Unrecyclable plastic includes plastic that consist of food waste or debris. Plastic in general are not considered under hazardous waste and recycling it is not mandatory, such waste can be improbably discarded and plastic waste problem continues. Another disadvantage of plastic recycling is downcycling. The potential health threats that recycled plastic present makes is actually downcycling. Instead of recycled plastics becoming a useful product like plastic cups, it becomes a different and less useful product. Recycled plastic limited use is not favourable as it loses out to new plastics and other recycled materials.

In general, BlueRen’s technology is about upcycling, and converting plastic waste into high value product. Furthermore, a different catalyst is being used to reduce the environmental impact. Comparing the numerous pros and cons of plastic recycling, it shows that converting plastic into carbon nanotubes will significantly decrease plastic waste and cause less impact on the environment. Using this technology, carbon nanotubes can be widely used in the industries. (579 words)

Plastic recycling advantages and disadvantages. (July 28, 2016) Science online. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from

https://www.online-sciences.com/industries/plastic-recycling-advantages-and-disadvantages/

The Disadvantages of Recycled Plastics. (April 24, 2017) Sciencing. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

https://sciencing.com/disadvantages-recycled-plastics-7254476.html

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (August 23, 2017) U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/text_version/chemicals.php?id=31

Environmental Effects of Plastic Pollution. (n.d.) Goecopure. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.goecopure.com/environmental-effects-of-plastic-pollution.aspx

Plastics Recycling. (December 8, 2008) zerowastesg. Retrieved (February 04, 2018) from 

http://www.zerowastesg.com/2008/12/08/plastics-recycling/