9.3 Green Chemistry
Our world, especially, the Pacific Ocean area known as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" would look a lot differently if the 12 principles of green chemistry were applied when plastic was invented. For example, instead of plastic disintegrating into smaller and smaller components and remaining a polymer, it could have been made biodegradable (Principle 10- Design chemicals and products to degrade after use) so that it does not end up accumulating in the environment. Also, if green chemistry was considered and applied before the bottle was designed and produced, aquatic wildlife would not ingest toxic derivatives of plastic such as PCB and BPA (Principle 8 Avoid chemical derivatives, Principle 4-Design safer chemicals and products, Principle 3-Design less hazardous chemical syntheses, Principle 2-Maximize atom economy). The polymer, the smallest unit of plastic is so toxic and harmful to the food chain, that even people that consume fish intoxicated by plastic residues are being affected. Overall, preventing waste (Principle 1) is the most important, aquatic animals like seals and turtles or birds like the albatrosses would not be suffering the consequences of plastic in the ocean or on their nesting grounds. Although we are at a day in age where we are using renewable energy, "going green", driving electric cars, part of me still has confidence in green scientists to come up with a solution that disintegrates the polymer of plastic. Until that time comes, I must continue to consciously do my part and consume or use products that contain plastic as best as I can.
Below are pictures from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Photo 4: Albatross carcass body full of plastic garbage
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeleteThanks for including pictures in your blog. It really saddens me looking at these pictures but it's also helping in raising awareness about the situation in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I agree that it is important to apply the 12 principles of green chemistry to reduce plastic waste. Plastics need to be made as biodegradable. I'm also trying to do my part in not using plastic products. If only more people stop using or drinking from plastic bottles, then there will be less plastic product wastes in the environment.
- Krissy
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeletethe pictures you included are real evidence of what pollution and unbreakable plastic are doing to our environment and ultimately effecting us and our health. I agree with you that green chemistry is still developing and still requires a lot of research before we can replace all the toxic chemicals with more environmental friendly ones. Therefore, we as individuals and as organizations must do our part and consciously and actively protect the environment whether it's recycling at home or anywhere we go or make our voice be heard for policy changes.
Hi Mayra,
ReplyDeleteThe pictures you posted are prime examples of how plastic is harming species and the environment. I agree that while we have renewable energy, there does need to be a wider focus to reduce our dependency on plastic products. Scientist need to shift the focus towards sustainable and biodegradable materials.