Plastic wise
Plastic is one of the most common forms of environmental pollution. It not only spoils our beautiful open spaces - view this USA-based video - it also has health and safety implications. Find out more from the Daily Green's 3 Suspect Plastics to Avoid. Also visit our link http://www.ru.ac.za/environment/action/waterwise. For further informatioon about plastic and what can and is being done about the problem, view some fascinating slide shows that have been widely circulated:
Clocking up the kilos
Get involved in the ACTION:
- RETHINK: Do we really need to use plastic? Do we really need to toss plastic into the rubbish bin, or even worse, out the window? As the Enviromark environmental programme says, "Plastics don't litter - People do!" The Plastics Federation of SA initiative aims to reduce plastic litter pollution through its litter education and awareness-raising programme. More info: http://www.cleanup-sa.co.za/home.htm
- REDUCE: Stop using so much plastic. Alternatives exist, for example: use sturdy cloth shopping bags instead of flimsy plastic; refuse to buy products with unnecessary amounts of packaging. More info: http://www.reusethisbag.com/reusable-bag-infographics/the-truth-about-plastic.asp
- RE-USE or UPCYCLE: Creative re-use of discarded items for arts and crafts, e.g. the Arkwork Collective & Kisma Kreative.
- RECYCLE: The plastic that remains can be recycled through local plastic reyclers to create durable products such as Enviro Furn. Visit our link recyclewise/plastic
More INFO:
| Recycling code | Abbreviated name | Full polymer name | Used in: |
| 1 | PET/PETE | Polyethylene terephthalate | Polyester fibres, soft-drink bottles |
| 2 | HD-PE | High-density polyethylene | Bottles, plastic shopping bags, recycling bins |
| 3 | PVC/V | High-density polyethylene | Pipe, fencing, non-food bottles2 |
| 4 | LD - PE | Low-density polyethylene | Plastic bags, containers, dispensing bottles |
| 5 | PP | Polypropylene | Auto parts, industrial fibres |
| 6 | PS | Polystyrene | Coffee cups, toys, video cassettes |
| 7 | OTHER | Other plastics | Various |
Ref: Mark Gibson (2010). Waste Not, Want Not, Why Not? ReSource. (SA ePublications)
What's in? Plastic numbers 1 (PET or PETE = polyethylene terephthalate; e.g. soft drink bottles), 2 (HDPE = high density polyethylene; e.g. shopping bags, shampoo bottles), 4 (LDPE = low density polyethylene; e.g. squeeze bottles, frozen food bags), 5 (PP = polypropylene; e.g. medicine bottles, yoghurt containers), 6 (PS = polystyrene; e.g. take-away food containers), 7 (miscellaneous other; e.g. 5 litre water bottles, nylon, DVD's, sunglasses, etc). Bear in mind that exposure to some plastics may affect your health. See also: Plastic Wise
What's out? We should give careful thought to how our health is affected by cumulative exposure.
- 1. A study has shown that brief exposure of polycarbonate plastic bottles to boiling water leads to the release of much higher levels of a potentially harmful chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA).
- 2. Plastic number 3 (vinyl or PVC = polyvinyl chloride; e.g. piping, clear vinyl bags & packaging, insulator on electric wire, and some shampoo & detergent bottles, soft plastic toys, etc) - toxic dioxins (PCDDs or Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins) are released as a result of a combination of heat and chlorine.
- Look for the Recycling Symbol & Number on the plastic. Find out more from the Daily Green's Recycling Symbols on Plastics and 3 Suspect Plastics to Avoid.
Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
