An Overview of Degradable Plastics

Johnson, Regina

doi:10.1177/875608798800400209

Cited by 19 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The rings could snare shore birds and fish. Despite rapidly evolving prospects of biodegradation (Johnson, 1987) and inovative recycling technology (Thayer, 1989), the quantities of plastic on beaches seem ever likely to increase in the future. In general there is insufficient appreciation of the environmental problems caused by plastics, and an overly simplistic faith that such problems can be solved by public education initiatives (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands

Gregory

1991

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

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Plastic litter and debris of all kinds is conspicuous on many contemporary shorelines, most frequently near populated and industrial centres, but also on remote and seldomvisited or uninhabited islands, including Raoul, Campbell and Auckland Islands. Pollution by plastics is aesthetically distasteful and unnecessary, and also creates a number of environmental problems: e.g. death and/or debilitation of wildlife through entanglement; blockages to the intestinal tract through ingestion leading to starvation and death, or ulceration of delicate tissues by jagged fragments; reduction in quality of life and reproductive performance. Larger items may also hazard shipping. An encrusting pseudoplanktic biota, similar to that found on floating Sargassum and other seaweeds has been recognised on drift plastics. Alien species, rafted on drifting plastic, could endanger the flora and fauna of protected and conservation island ecosystems. The sources of plastic pollution can be both distant (the truly 'oceanic' debris which has drifted from afar) and regional and local (e.g. shipping, fishing and recreational boating activities). Data compiled during a recent clean-up campaign on beaches of the inner Hauraki Gulf islands suggest that nearby land-based sources are also important. There is need to educate the public about the environmental problems arising from the indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other persistent synthetic compounds. It is unlikely that these problems can ever be solved by regulation, although, along with technological advances, that could alleviate them.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands

Gregory

1991

Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand

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“…Much of the early research was conducted to understand and prevent biodeterioration (Johnson 1987) and photodegradation (Day and Wiles 1972a,b). More recently, because of heightened concern over the fate of plastics in the environment, research has focused on the capacity of microorganisms to degrade plastics (Klausmeir and Osmon 1976) and on the production of biodegradable (Wool and Cole 1988) and photodegradable plastics (Horsfall 1981(Horsfall , 1982Bell and Pezdirtz 1983).…”

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confidence: 99%

Bacteria Associated with Disintegrating Plastic Films Under Simulated Aquatic Environments

Leonas

Gorden

1996

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

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“…Of the IVISW 95% was placed in landfills and 5% was incinerated. Nearly 30% consisted of nonbiodegradable inorganics and plastics (48). In 1988, 80% of MSW was placed in landfills, 10% was incinerated and 10% was recycled (78).…”

Section: Literature Review Degradable Plasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The treated material is used for trash bags, grocery bags and agricultural mulch film in Europe. Use of the masterbatch adds 8 to 10% to the cost of the film (48).…”

Section: Figure 1 Norrish I and Ii Reactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Photodegradable plastics are degraded by ultraviolet and visible light coming from the sun and intense terrestrial source (66). Photodegradable plastics have been prepared by incorporating carbonyl groups into the polymer chains (39,40), or copolymerizing carbon monoxide and polymer (48). The rate of photodegradation obviously depends on weather and seasons (26,68,72).…”

Section: General Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation for food packaging potential and environmental compatibility of novel degradable starch-polyethylene plastics

Kim

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An Overview of Degradable Plastics

Cited by 19 publications

References 8 publications

The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands

The hazards of persistent marine pollution: drift plastics and conservation islands

Bacteria Associated with Disintegrating Plastic Films Under Simulated Aquatic Environments

Evaluation for food packaging potential and environmental compatibility of novel degradable starch-polyethylene plastics

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