tailieunhanh - Plastics and the Environment : Environmental Issues and Current Controversies

The interactions shown in Figure 1 are illustrative of certain poverty-environment processes where poor households are “compelled” to degrade environmental resources. However, this should not obscure the fact that much environmental degradation is caused by large-scale commercial operators, and by State policy; and there are many examples of positive actions by poor households and communities to manage environmental resources sustainably (see for example Box 19 on community- based resource management). Where environmental degradation is caused by commercial operators and/or State policy, poor households still suffer. They may be pushed into more marginal areas by large-scale logging or ranching activities, or may face lower productivity on crop and grazing. | Zero Waste Alliance Plastics and the Environment Environmental Issues and Current Controversies Dr. Lauren Heine Zero Waste Alliance International Sustainable Development Foundation lheine@ .org 1 Zero Waste Alliance Plastics 101 I. Background - The future is just one word. http Hollywood 8200 and Issues with Plastics and PVC 2 1 Zero Waste Alliance Some Definitions Polymer- poly-many meros-part - long chain of molecules that is made of repeating parts called monomers - can be natural or synthetic Plastics - all plastics are polymers all polymers not plastics - typically refers to man-made thermoplastic polymers fiber elastomer thermoset 3 Zero Waste Alliance Monomers Polymers H H C C I I HCl HH H Cl n A vinyl chloride monomer A vinyl chloride polymer or polyvinyl chloride 4 2 Zero Waste Alliance Plastics are Found in Clothing Stockings shirts windbreakers pajamas -processed nylon Fleece jackets vest and pants - from recycled plastic soda bottles PET or other polyesters Sweaters and socks - acrylic polyacrylonitrile and rayon Shoe soles - PVC rubber Zero Waste Alliance Polyurethane in Clothes Trainer Tights - A unique blend of spun polypropylene and Lycra spandex will keep you working out when the winter temperature dips low. Soft stretchy and really comfortable we wear our Winter Trainers for Nordic skiing winter running and cycling and even under a ski suit. They wick moisture from your skin and disperse it to the outer layer of fabric so you dry quickly and avoid chills. 6