ENVIRONMENTAL, RECYCLING AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF PLASTICS FAILURE, 2008 PLACE Conference

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This paper differs from others on plastics failure in what is meant by “failure”. Failure usually is a physical or chemical change that affects the plastics’ properties, such as strength. Molecular weight, stabilizer or antioxidant may be involved. With environmental, recycling and health aspects, failure is not to be accepted for sale, i.e., to be banned as unacceptable regardless of its desirable properties.

There is growing concern by the public about the role and impact of plastics on the environment and health. Recycling and disposal of plastics affects both the environment and health. Failure to be allowed to be sold for any reason is as much a failure as a mechanical or design fault that forces a plastic product off the market. Certainly the public and some government agencies consider it a plastics failure when laws are passed or boycotts mounted to prevent manufacture and sale of certain plastic products.