The Return of Plastic : Overview of Why Plastics Are Making a Comeback

After years of facing criticism for environmental concerns, plastics are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. 

This comeback is happening across multiple industries for practical reasons that balance convenience, cost, and newly developed technologies.

The Main reasons for plastic's return:

1. Economic factors:

Traditional plastics remain significantly cheaper than alternatives:

• A plastic shopping bag costs about 1-3 cents to produce
• A paper bag costs 7-10 cents
• A reusable cotton bag needs to be used 131 times to offset its environmental impact

Example: 

When a major grocery chain in California replaced plastic bags with paper, their packaging costs increased by $15 million annually.

2. Improved recycling technologies:

New technologies are making plastic recycling more effective:

• Chemical recycling breaks down plastics to their original molecules
• Advanced sorting machines can now identify and separate different types of plastics
• Closed-loop systems are being implemented by companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo

A closed-loop system is a process where waste or byproducts from one part of the system become resources for another part, creating a circular flow of materials with minimal waste leaving the system.

Example:

PureCycle Technologies can now process polypropylene (yogurt containers, bottle caps) into a clear, odorless recycled material that's nearly identical to virgin plastic.

3. Consumer convenience:

 
Despite environmental concerns, many consumers still prefer plastic products:

• Lightweight packaging for online shopping
• Durable containers for food storage
• Flexible packaging that extends shelf life

Example: 

When Starbucks attempted to eliminate plastic straws, many customers complained about the paper alternatives getting soggy, leading to the retention of plastic options for certain drinks.

4. Medical and safety applications:

 
The plastic's crucial role in healthcare:

• Single-use PPE prevented contamination
• Plastic barriers in stores and restaurants to reduce health concerns
• Individually wrapped items reduce transmission risks

Example: 

Demand for plastic face shields increased by 312%, with one manufacturer producing 150,000 units daily.

New plastic technologies:

1. Biodegradable plastics:

These materials break down under specific conditions:

• PLA (polylactic acid) derived from corn starch or sugar cane
• PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) used in compostable bags
• PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates) made by bacterial fermentation

Example: 

Ecovative Design creates packaging from mushroom mycelium that performs like styrofoam but composts in 45 days.

2. Plastic alternatives that look and feel like plastic:

Some companies are creating materials that offer plastic's benefits without the environmental downsides:

• Seaweed-based packaging that dissolves in water
• Cellulose-based films derived from wood pulp
• Casein-based coatings made from milk proteins

Example: 

Notpla creates food containers from seaweed that can hold hot soup but will decompose in weeks rather than centuries.

3. Advanced recycling systems:

Beyond traditional mechanical recycling:

• Enzymatic recycling uses engineered enzymes to break down plastics
• Pyrolysis converts plastic waste into fuel oil
• Solvent-based recycling dissolves and purifies plastics

Example: 

Carbios has developed enzymes that can break down PET bottles in hours, allowing for infinite recycling without quality degradation.

Industry examples of plastic's resurgence:

1. Packaging:

Companies are returning to plastic with improved sustainability approaches:

• Nestlé switching some paper packaging back to recyclable plastics
• Coca-Cola investing in bottle-to-bottle recycling
• Amazon developing thin plastic mailers that use 75% less material

Example: 

Unilever found that their plastic sachets for shampoo in developing countries used 96% less material than bottles, reducing transportation emissions by 82%.

2. Automotive:

• Car manufacturers are using more plastic to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency:
• Modern vehicles contain 50% more plastic components than those made 10 years ago
• Carbon fiber reinforced polymers replacing metal in premium vehicles
• Plastic composites that strengthen vehicle safety cells

Example: 

BMW's i3 electric car uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic for its passenger compartment, reducing weight by 30% compared to steel while maintaining safety.

3. Construction:

• Plastic building materials offer advantages over traditional options:
• PVC pipes outlast metal ones and don't corrode
• Plastic insulation improves energy efficiency
• Vinyl siding requires less maintenance than wood

Example: 

Plastic lumber made from recycled materials is now used in decking and outdoor furniture, with each board containing approximately 1,000 recycled plastic bags.

The balanced perspective:

The return to plastics isn't simply a rejection of environmental concerns, it represents a more nuanced approach that:

• Acknowledges plastic's practical benefits
• Improves how we manage plastic throughout its lifecycle
• Develops better versions of plastic that address previous shortcomings

Looking Forward:

The renewed popularity of plastics comes with important conditions:

• Continued innovation in recyclability and biodegradability
• Better waste management systems globally
• Consumer education about proper disposal

Recyclability: ability of a material to be collected, processed, and made into new products instead of being thrown away. 
Biodegradability: ability of a material to naturally break down into harmless substances through the action of bacteria, fungi or other biological processes. 

The future likely involves not eliminating plastics but transforming how we create, use, and recycle them to capture their benefits while minimizing their drawbacks.