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Let's be honest: plastic is freaking awesome. It is light, flexible and durable.
Maybe a little too good to be true?
What is plastic made of?
Plastic chemicals
HERE ARE THE MAIN BUILDING BLOCKS OF PLASTIC PACKAGING
Synthetic
Polymers
Stabilizers
Fillers
Plasticizers
Colorants
Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic Polymers
are the structure and foundation of plastic. They derive from fossil fuels.
What is the fossil fuel industry?
CRUDE OIL & PETROLEUM
COAL
NATURAL GAS
This industry results in environmental destruction.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are considered additives. They inhibit the plastic degradation. They are commonly made of:
Stabilizers
antioxidants
antiozonants
UV absorbers
quenchers
hindered amine light stabilizers
acid scavengers
heat stabilizers
flame retardants
biocides
Fillers
Plasticizers
Fillers
Fillers are also considered additives. They reduce costs and improve the plastic properties.
They are commonly made of:
calcium carbonate
talc
silica
wollastonite
clay
calcium sulfate fibers
mica
glass beads
alumina trihydrate
Plasticizers
Plasticizers are also considered additives. They improve and increase the overall elasticity of plastic.
They are commonly made of:
phthalates (di(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP)
diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
adipic acid
alcohol
phthalic anhydride
Colorants
Colorants
Colorants are also considered additives.
They are pigments and dyes commonly made of:
aluminum oxides, antimony trioxide, barium chromate, iron oxides, manganese silicates or dioxide, manganese ammonium pyrophosphate, cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide, barium,
barium sulfate, barium manganate, chromic oxide
zinc sulfide, zinc chromate, zinc oxide, zinc, 1,2-dihydroxyanthaquinone, insoluble anthraquinone pigment, insoluble azo pigment, lead chromate, basic lead carbonate
carbon, lead molybdate
lead sulfate
lead antimonate
cobalt arsenate
cobalt phosphate
cobalt stannate
calcined cobalt
potassium cobalt initrate
sodium
calcium salts of soluble azo strontium chromate
mercuric sulfide
ferric ferrocyanide
Dispersants & Surfactants
​
linear alkylbenzene sulfonates
lignin sulfonates
fatty alcohol ethoxylates
alkylphenol ethoxylates
The recipe to plastic is sort of a big secret.
And "secret agents" are at work...
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