Should Plastic Bags Be Encouraged for Grocery and Shopping Purposes
Research Question: Should the use of plastic bags be encouraged for grocery and shopping purposes?
1.0 Introduction and chemistry background Plastic or its scientific name polyethylene is a type of polymer. Polymers are defined as a large molecules consisting of specific small repeating monomers that combine or react together. In this case, plastic or polyethylene is made up of small monomers called ethylene (ethene). Ethylene molecules react and combine together through addition reaction/polymerization (double bond of ethylene breaks in the reaction) and finally form polyethylene. Basically, there are three types of plastic grocery bags made from polyethylene which are High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The main difference between the three types is the degree of branching of the polymer chain. Both HDPE and LLDPE composed of linear chains, while LDPE has branched chains (Lajeunesse, 2004). The more the branching of polymer chain, the lower the tensile strength and crystallinity of it. This responsible for the soft and transparent features of LDPE, while HDPE and LLDPE have stiff condition and not transparent as they are stronger and have higher crystallinity than LDPE (Cogte, 2009).
Figure 1: Polymerization reaction of Ethene to form polythene (polymer)
Plastic bags are very common in this modern world and have been used widely in our daily life especially in shopping purposes. Due to its highly convenient, cheap and strong features, plastic bags appeal to many people either customers or the seller as the most effective way in delivering goods (such as foods) from the store to home (Kinnon, 2008). Although plastic bags are very convenient to use, there are several drawbacks that come from the usage of it mainly towards the environment and social aspect and this is getting worsen with the overuse of it. From this, plastic bags are being questioned whether the usage of it should
1.0 Introduction and chemistry background Plastic or its scientific name polyethylene is a type of polymer. Polymers are defined as a large molecules consisting of specific small repeating monomers that combine or react together. In this case, plastic or polyethylene is made up of small monomers called ethylene (ethene). Ethylene molecules react and combine together through addition reaction/polymerization (double bond of ethylene breaks in the reaction) and finally form polyethylene. Basically, there are three types of plastic grocery bags made from polyethylene which are High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The main difference between the three types is the degree of branching of the polymer chain. Both HDPE and LLDPE composed of linear chains, while LDPE has branched chains (Lajeunesse, 2004). The more the branching of polymer chain, the lower the tensile strength and crystallinity of it. This responsible for the soft and transparent features of LDPE, while HDPE and LLDPE have stiff condition and not transparent as they are stronger and have higher crystallinity than LDPE (Cogte, 2009).
Figure 1: Polymerization reaction of Ethene to form polythene (polymer)
Plastic bags are very common in this modern world and have been used widely in our daily life especially in shopping purposes. Due to its highly convenient, cheap and strong features, plastic bags appeal to many people either customers or the seller as the most effective way in delivering goods (such as foods) from the store to home (Kinnon, 2008). Although plastic bags are very convenient to use, there are several drawbacks that come from the usage of it mainly towards the environment and social aspect and this is getting worsen with the overuse of it. From this, plastic bags are being questioned whether the usage of it should
References: list Gogte, M., 2009. Are Plastic Grocery bags Sacking the Environment? International Journal for Quality research, 3 (4), pp.363-75. Platt, T., 2008. Plastic Bags on Our Backs. FCUSA Commentary [pdf] available at: < www.furcommission.com/resource/Resources/PlasticBags.pdf> [Accessed 10 June 2011]. Clean Up Australia, 2007. Action on Plastic Bags around the World [pdf] available at: < www.cleanup.org.au/.../cua-world-update-on-plastic-bags-as-at-120207.pdf> [Accessed 10 June 2011]. Begum I., Z., n.d. Plastics and Environments. Centre of Excellence in Environmental Economics. Lajeunesse, S., 2004. Plastic bags are not created equal because they are meant for different purposes. Science and Technology, 82(38), p.51. Roach, J., 2003. Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment? National Geographic News [Online] available at: < http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/pf/80107147.html> [Accessed 12 June 2011]. Ketcham, S., n.d. Advantages of Plastic Grocery Bags. Lovetoknow Green Living [Online] available at: < http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Advantages_of_Plastic_Grocery_Bags> [Accessed 12 June 2011]. Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004. “Year Book Australia: How Much Energy is Used to Make a Plastic Bag? [Online] available at: [Accessed 13 June 2011]. Kinnon, S. R., 2008. Plastic Pros and Cons. Environmental and Health Concerns [Online] available at: [Accessed 13 June 2011].