Plastics have been with us for more than a century, and by
now they’re everywhere, for good and for ill. Plastic containers and coatings
help keep food fresh, but they can also leave behind neurotoxins such as BPA in
the human body. PVC is used for everything from pipes and flooring to furniture
and clothes, but it contains compounds called phthalates that have been
implicated in male reproductive disorders. Studies have also shown that
childhood exposure to environmental pollutants can have significant negative
effects later in life, including reduced labor force participation and even
earnings.
To reduce plastic waste and negative effects, recycling
programs have been implemented in many parts of the United States, but remain
underutilized. Much is due to the nature of plastic itself, which often can
only be “downcycled” rather than recycled — a torn plastic bag might eventually
be transformed into a lunch tray, but it will never be a plastic bag again.
Many cities and states have begun more serious efforts to restrict their use,
but the subject remains a matter of considerable debate. While plastics also
contain substantial energy, the vast majority ends up in landfills. Immense
quantities of plastic are also sent to the developing world together with e-waste,
where “recycling” frequently involves open-air burning. For more details visit
our web site allindiayellowpage.com.