Even if don’t recognize the term “light-emitting diodes,” chances are you see them every day. Typically called LEDs, these small light sources, powered by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material, have long been used in everyday appliances: they form the numbers on digital clocks, they light up watches, and they transmit remote control…
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Quick quiz: How many types of plastics there are? No idea? Me neither … I have no exact number. It’s sort of like asking how many types of bread there are. Plastics aren’t simply one material made the same way every time. Although plastics can be broken down into broad types or categories, there actually…
Read More…It’s difficult to imagine modern life without plastics. Take a moment … Our cars (seat cushions, air bags, bumpers, dashboards …) Our fashion (nylon, spandex, polyester, faux fur …) Our homes (carpeting, foam insulation, vinyl siding, composite decking …) Our appliances (televisions, coffee makers, alarm clocks, electric toothbrushes …) Our sports (football pads, bicycle helmets,…
Read More…The term “bioplastics” seems to cause almost as much confusion as the term “biodegradable”. What exactly does the “bio” in bioplastics refer to? Bio … bio … hmmm. The history of plastics? No. Biotechnology? No. It actually has more to do with that oft-dreaded high school class, biology. You know: having to do with life,…
Read More…Most of us know the three “R’s” when it comes to reducing waste and protecting our environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But did you know that there is a fourth “R”? Recovery. Energy recovery is the high-tech process by which waste is converted into alternative energy. Currently, 86 energy recovery facilities across the U.S. process about…
Read More…To many people, the term “biodegradable plastics” sounds like a contradiction in terms, sort of like a square circle. As usual, reality is a bit more complicated. First, let’s define biodegradable. From a scientific standpoint, the term most commonly refers to materials that can be broken down by microorganisms into organic matter, largely composed of…
Read More…“Paper or plastic?” The question has moved way beyond the grocery store. The Canadian government in mid-2011 announced a switch to banknotes made from plastics instead of paper. While the idea of plastic currency may seem strange to those living in the United States, Canada in fact joins dozens of countries with plastic banknotes in…
Read More…You see it all the time –- the chasing arrow with the number in the middle –- but what does it mean? That little symbol on a plastic product identifies the type of plastic (resin) used to make that item. So how does this relate to recycling? Well, recyclers sometimes use this information to sort…
Read More…When you watch television, use a computer, ride in a bus, train, or plane, you are using plastics. When you go to the doctor’s office or hospital or shop at the grocery store, you again are relying on plastics. So where do plastics come from … and what are they? Plastics are derived from materials…
Read More…Hi, my name is Professor Plastic. Have you ever wondered: what exactly are plastics? Curious about where plastics come from? How they’re made? How they can be recycled? Well, that’s what I’m here for! I will try to answer all of your questions about plastics — their history, properties, popular products, environmental attributes, whatever. I’ll…
Read More…What happens to household garbage that is not recycled? More than half of household garbage in the U.S. is buried in landfills. However, some communities convert much of their garbage into energy that then is supplied to the electricity grid, powering homes and businesses. These communities have embraced energy recovery as a way to save…
Read More…In December of 2009 moviegoers travelled to planet Pandora, riding on the backs of winged creatures and breathing toxic air—all without leaving their theater chairs. Avatar once again demonstrated that Americans love three-dimensional (3D) movies. And now advancements made possible by plastics are translating that magic to DVD and Blu-Ray™ and bringing 3D into the…
Read More…Light weight plastic components are key to the success of hybrid cars.
Read More…Have you ever looked in a shop window and wondered: How much does that cost? In the not too distant future you may be able to find out simply by brushing your hand across the window. And perhaps even purchase the item online, right from the sidewalk. That would bring “window shopping” to a whole…
Read More…From the invention of plastic in the late 1800s to the introduction of Tupperware® in the 1940s to the latest innovations in easy-dipping ketchup packets, plastics have played an integral role in smart packaging solutions that help us do more with less. Whether it’s your new electronic gadget, your favorite beauty product, or what you’re…
Read More…The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that plastic fiber seat belts saved 15,147 lives in 2007 in the U.S. alone, making them one of the most important safety features in our cars and trucks. Compared to unbelted vehicle occupants, NHTSA estimates that today’s seat belts reduce fatalities by 45 percent and serious injury…
Read More…From your windshield to your bumpers, plastics provide safety benefits in ways you may not see In the face of an annual average of more than 6 million auto crashes on U.S. roads, it’s good to know that many plastic vehicle components – both seen and unseen – contribute greatly to reducing the potential for…
Read More…We all remember the 90s. Grunge culture was at its apex and nothing epitomized the spirit of youth and fun more than the snowboard. Teens and young adults flocked to the board like plaid to Seattle. Skis were passé; the snowboard seemed edgier, hipper, and hotter. Yet in recent years skis have made a big…
Read More…Skiing has been an official Olympic sport since the first Winter Olympics were held in Chamonix, France in 1924.
Read More…Without plastic, snowboarding would likely be stuck at its humble beginnings.
Read More…To make it easier for consumers to recycle more, Plastics Make it Possible® offers the following tips for reusing and reusing everyday plastics. These simple steps can help you keep your commitment to protecting the environment every day. 1. Find out which plastics are accepted for recycling in your area and where they can be…
Read More…Written by Mary Fraser, BASF, ACC, Plastics Division Automotive Team and originally published on October 1st, 2009 in Gas 2.0. Photo Credit:BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Despite all of the challenges facing the automotive industry today, this is a time of great innovation. Electric vehicles are just months away from entering the U.S. market and evolving engine…
Read More…What is thinner than a human hair and millions of times stronger?
Read More…Engineers at Bristol University in the U.K. have created plastic technologies that could one-day lead to the development of airplanes that can literally fix themselves while they are still in the air. Interestingly, the British engineers were inspired by human biology; their plastic technology emulates the healing process in living organisms. The self-healing plastics have…
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