Plastics and the environment
Most synthetic polymers do not undergo biodegradation; that is, they are not broken down by biological processes. So they collect in the environment, which is a huge environmental problem.
Do not burn plastic
Burning synthetic polymers gives off poisonous gases, so burning them is unsuitable.
Chemists are trying to find solutions to these problems by making polymers that do break down. Polymers that undergo biodegradation, polymers broken down by light (photodegradation), and polymers that dissolve in water are now being made.
Clothes made from fabrics of synthetic polymers such as nylon, terylene and polyester do not absorb sweat, so they are uncomfortable to wear. Blending synthetic polymers with the natural polymers cotton and wool reduces this problem.
Advantages
Light, strong and long-lasting
Waterproof, and do not rust or rot
Cheap and easy to shape
Disadvantages
Do not break down; they pile up in soil, drains and the sea
Give off poisonous gases when burned
Synthetic fabrics do not absorb sweat
Why lasting forever is a problem
The very thing that makes plastics useful makes them a problem. Their long carbon chains are held by strong covalent bonds that bacteria and fungi have no enzymes to break, so a polythene bag thrown away today may still be there in hundreds of years. Blocked drains become breeding places for dengue mosquitoes, animals choke on bags, and tiny pieces reach the sea and the fish we eat. The answer starts with us: use less, reuse bags and bottles, separate plastic waste so it can be recycled, and never burn it.
Manage plastic waste
Synthetic polymers do not biodegrade and give off poisonous gases when burned; if plastic waste is not managed properly it causes serious environmental problems.