I was recently on the expedition class Viking Octantis for a cruise along the Chilean coast. The ship staff included a team of scientists and naturalists who were actively investigating environmental changes in the oceans while engaging and educating the ships passengers. One lecture dealt with the issue of plastics in the oceans, which now pollute even Antarctic waters and coastlines. That sobering lecture was the inspiration for this essay.
We live in a plastic world. Plastics are durable, inexpensive, and convenient. From plastic water bottles, packaging, and shopping bags to durable kitchen gadgets and automobile parts, plastic products derived from fossil fuels have made life more convenient and less expensive. HOWEVER, from start to finish - from the extraction of fossil fuels to the manufacture of plastic products to their eventual disposal - the use of plastics poses serious risks to the environment, wildlife, and our own health.
A sea turtle entangled in a fishing net. Photo by Doug Helton. |
The remains of an albatross with stomach full of plastic debris. photo by Forest & Kim Starr (USGS) |
Cleaning up the mess that is already there, and proper disposal of future plastic waste represent a huge challenge. There is a glimmer of hope with the discovery of bacteria that can digest plastic. They potentially could help with disposal and the cleanup effort, but so far have not been used on a practical scale.
Other cellulose-based products that have been with us for over a century are plastic-like celluloid, cellophane, and rayon. Celluloid was formerly used to make billiard balls and other solid objects, as well as movie film. Its use was discontinued due to its unfortunate tendency to explode or catch fire upon impact. Cellophane and rayon, continue to be in use, but have their own associated hazards. They are made by treating cellulose with harsh chemicals to make a mush that can be extruded through tiny pores to slender soft fibers, or through thin slits to make cellophane sheets. Fabric fibers made in this way are called viscose. The handling and disposal of the chemicals used in this process are bio-unfriendly, if not done carefully. Before purchasing such products, including those puzzlingly soft bamboo socks, one should check whether the manufacturer is environmentally responsible.
Modern bioplastics have been devised to avoid these problems. One cleaner process converts the plant cellulose into lycocells, similar to viscose, but using less chemicals. Tencel is a product made in this way. There are now many commercial ventures starting to manufacture environmentally-friendly, plant-based bioplastics including styrofoam-like materials, other packaging materials, and even biodegradable disposable diapers. If these catch on, we can significantly shift away from plastics.
Bamboos are the poster child for fast-growing sources of cellulose. New stems are continuously produced from underground rhizomes, and can grow up to 3 feet per day. |
The drawback to wider use of cultivated bamboo and other cellulose sources is that it requires more land to be converted into agriculture, diminishing the biodiversity of natural plant communities, and creating disease and pest-prone, fertilizer and water consuming monocultures.
With so many people on the planet, there is no technology that is without environmental cost, but overall, cultivating biodegradable cellulose sources, if done responsible, is far better than continuing to load our oceans and drinking water with plastics.
The plastic problem seems overwhelming, and much of the solution will have to come from government legislation and reform of manufacturing processes, but individuals can take small steps that will make a difference. Can you commit to one or more of the following?
1. Use less clothing made of synthetic fabrics and go back to cotton and other natural plant based fabrics. Use an iron if wrinkles offend you!
2. Support emerging bio-friendly technology, including environmentally-friendly diapers, whenever available to replace plastics.
3. Trade in your plastic toothbrush for one made of wood and natural fibers.
4. Use glass, stainless steel, wood, or bamboo-based kitchen utensils, bowls, storage containers, etc. instead of plastic ones.
5. Filter your own water and use glass or stainless steel containers for carrying it around.
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