A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic solids that are malleable.

Plastics are
typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they
often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic,
most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are
partially natural.
Due to their relatively low cost, ease of manufacture,
versatility, and imperviousness to water, plastics are used in
an enormous and expanding range of products, from paper
clips to spaceships. They have already displaced many
traditional materials, such
as wood, stone, horn and bone, leather, paper, metal, glass,
and ceramic, in most of their former uses. In developed
countries, about a third of plastic is used in packaging and
another third in buildings such as piping used in
plumbing or vinyl siding. Other uses include automobiles (up
to 20% plastic , furniture, and toys.[3] In the developing world,
the ratios may be different - for example, reportedly 42% of
India's consumption is used in packaging.
Common plastics and uses

A chair made with a polypropylene seat

Polyester (PES) Fibers, textiles.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) Carbonated drinks

bottles, peanut butter jars, plastic film, microwavable
packaging.

Polyethylene (PE) Wide range of inexpensive uses

including supermarket bags, plastic bottles.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) Detergent bottles,

milk jugs, and molded plastic cases.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Plumbing pipes and guttering,

shower curtains, window frames, flooring.

Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) (Saran) Food

packaging.

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) Outdoor furniture,

siding, floor tiles, shower curtains, clamshell packaging.

Polypropylene (PP) Bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt

containers, appliances, car fenders (bumpers), plastic
pressure pipe systems.

Polystyrene (PS) Packaging foam/"peanuts", food

containers, plastic tableware, disposable cups, plates,
cutlery, CD and cassette boxes.

High impact polystyrene (HIPS) -: Refrigerator liners, food

packaging, vending cups.

Polyamides (PA) (Nylons) Fibers, toothbrush bristles,

tubing, fishing line, low strength machine parts: under-thehood car engine parts or gun frames.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) Electronic

equipment cases (e.g., computer monitors, printers,
keyboards), drainage pipe.

Polyethylene/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PE/ABS)

A slippery blend of PE and ABS used in low-duty dry
bearings.

Polycarbonate (PC) Compact discs, eyeglasses, riot

shields, security windows, traffic lights, lenses.

Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS)

A blend of PC and ABS that creates a stronger plastic.
Used in car interior and exterior parts, and mobile phone
bodies.

Polyurethanes (PU) Cushioning foams, thermal

insulation foams, surface coatings, printing rollers
(Currently 6th or 7th most commonly used plastic material,
for instance the most commonly used plastic in cars).

Environmental Problems
Environmentally, plastic is a growing disaster. Most plastics
are made from petroleum or natural gas, non-renewable
resources extracted and processed using energy-intensive
techniques that destroy fragile ecosystems.

The manufacture of plastic, as well as its destruction by

incineration, pollutes air, land and water and exposes workers
to toxic chemicals, including carcinogens.
Plastic packaging especially the ubiquitous plastic bag is
a significant source of landfill waste and is regularly eaten by
numerous marine and land animals, to fatal consequences.
Synthetic plastic does not biodegrade. It just sits and
accumulates in landfills or pollutes the environment. Plastics
have become a municipal waste nightmare, prompting local
governments all over the world to implement plastic bag, and
increasingly polystyrene (styrofoam), bans.
Health Problems
In terms of health risks, the evidence is growing that
chemicals leached from plastics used in cooking and
food/drink storage are harmful to human health. Some of the
most disturbing of these are hormone-mimicking, endocrine
disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates.
The plastic polycarbonate - used for water bottles and various
other items requiring a hard, clear plastic - is composed
primarily of BPA. Peer-reviewed scientific studies have linked
BPA to health problems that include chromosomal and
reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and
neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system
damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and
resistance to chemotherapy. Exposure to BPA at a young age
can cause genetic damage, and BPA has been linked to
recurrent miscarriage in women

Alternatives to Plastic do Exist -- so does Empowered

Action!
What you have just read may have depressed you to no end.
No, no, no. Don't despair! Feel empowered and educated.
And don't just take our word on the plastic problem; follow
some of the links in our Resources section and do more of
your own research on the issues. It is time for all of us to take
action and do our part to decrease our use of plastics and
help solve the problems of plastic pollution.
There is a huge and growing community of like-minded folks
out there all over the world who are working with you to
decrease plastic use and pollution and create tangible change
at all levels - personal, local, regional, national, global...
Please take a look at our Action section for ways that you can
make a difference through individual actions in your own life
and by supporting organizations working for change.
And there are many alternatives to plastics now available.
Our Plastic Alternatives section highlights and provides
information on numerous alternatives ranging from glass,
wood and stainless steel to wool, hemp and cotton.
A key aspect of our Vision and Quest is to help people find
safe, high quality, ethically sourced, Earth-friendly alternatives
to plastic products. That is why our Store exists, so please
feel free to browse the Store at your leisure. And if you can't
find what you are looking for, please let us know. We are
always adding new alternatives to plastics to our product line

ANI PLASTIC CAMPAIGN

Case Study: Plastic Free Campaign
Plastic Bag Free Campaign was launched at the Trombay
and Belgaum plants. Volunteers shared information on
uses of plastic bags and its effects on the environment.
Discarding plastic bagsleads to blocking of drains, which
leads to flooding. To reduce and stop using polythene bags,
cotton cloth bags were distributed to families with support
from Mahila Mandal. It was suggested to adopt plastic bag
free model of Vile Parle (Mumbai) in Trombay,
subsequently spread this to the plant and adjoining area
(Chembur ward of BMC) in a phased manner with the help
of Environment volunteers of Trombay & Mumbai,
operational area (within time frame of one year). All
participants pledged not to use plastic bags. A similar
activity was also conducted in Belgaum.

KOCHI: As part of St Teresas colleges Navathy celebrations,

the Bhoomitra Sena students of the college are organising a
tree plantation drive on Thursday. The students would plant
90 trees at Marine Drive walkway to address the
environmental woes that the heart of the city faces. MLA Hibi
Eden will inaugurate the initiative dubbed Teresian
Ilacharthu.

We are trying to address the two main environmental issues

Kochi city is facing today, namely cutting down of greenery in
the name of development activities, and increasing soil,
waster and air pollution due to extensive use and
unscientific disposal of plastic bags, said Professor Nirmala
Padmanabhan, who is in charge of the initiative.
As part of International No Plastic Day, which falls on
Thursday, the Bhoomitra Sena club would sensitise students
to reduce use of plastic bags through an oath. The students
are also planning a project to encourage the safe collection
and disposal of unavoidable plastic waste from students
households. The college has also banned the use of plastic
covers for project works.

The HDMC began implementing the law four months ago.

Initially, they conveyed the message through newspapers, and
then conducted searches in shops dealing with plastic
products. Subsequently, shopkeepers were warned against
using such plastic bags.
Notices were issued and fines imposed for flouting the rules.
The municipal corporation also deployed two employees
equipped with hand-held microphones to make
announcements. They went around Kittur Chennamma Circle
appealing to people not to use plastic bags of less than 40
microns and not to litter.

Health Department staff inspected shops dealing with plastic

products and warned them against selling plastic bags less
than 40 microns thick.
Adherence to the law has, however, resulted in a dip in the
profit margin of some shopkeepers.