Lim., X, 2018. Designing the Death of a Plastic. The New York Times (August 6)
This article is majorly about the side effects of synthetic polymers on the environment and the possible alternatives of the synthetic polymers, which can help in solving the problem. The synthetic polymers were designed to be a perfect replacement for the metals and glasses. As a result, they are made by long molecular chains, which make them non-degradable. This is affirmed by an experiment conducted by Dr. Feinberg, where he burnt a piece of synthetic polymer. After the process was complete, almost half of the synthetic polymer remained in the form of large black particles that proves the fact that the artificial polymers are non-degradable. Plastics have been one of the major causes of environmental pollution in the recent past. As a result, many scientists have been engaged in research to find the most suitable alternative to the plastics, which could help in reducing environmental harm.
The scientist has two conflicting requirements. Firstly, the new plastic material should be durable. Secondly, it should be degradable. The only solution available is coming up with self-destroying plastic material. I order to make this process a success; the researchers are supposed to come up with the fragile and unstable plastic materials with simple molecular chains and then to improve from that point, to make the new plastic material durable. This will form the unzipping polymers, which can easily be recycled using chemicals. Therefore, the new content can easily help in reducing environmental pollution, which has been caused by synthetic polymers in the past. However, different stakeholders are supposed to collectively play the role of protecting the environment, even with the invention of the new material. Consumers are supposed to properly dispose of the plastic materials after use while the plastic companies have the role of recollecting the used plastic materials for recycling.