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