Material that transformed the world
Alberto · Year 1 ESO · Technology
Plastic is an artificial material created by humans from substances that come, for the most part, from petroleum.
Although today it seems normal to us, plastic is a relatively modern material.
Because it made it possible to create products that were:
Today, plastic remains a fundamental material in our society.
It takes many years to degrade and generates pollution if not recycled correctly.
That's why today it's very important to:
SARA: Alberto, explain your work on plastic?
ALBERTO: Sure. Plastic is artificial material humans created. It comes mainly from petroleum.
SARA: From petroleum? I didn't know.
ALBERTO: Yes, it's obtained from petroleum chemicals transformed in labs and factories.
TEACHER: Good. Alberto, have you told her the properties?
ALBERTO: I was about to. Look Sara, plastic is lightweight, resistant, can be flexible or rigid, easy to mold and cheap to produce.
SARA: That's why there's plastic everywhere.
ALBERTO: Exactly. Thanks to those properties it's become one of the most widely used materials in the world.
TEACHER: When did people start using it?
ALBERTO: The first plastics appeared at the end of the 19th century. The first was bakelite. But the real revolution started in 1950.
SARA: Why was it so important?
ALBERTO: Because plastic was much cheaper than wood, metal or glass. It was also lighter and more durable.
TEACHER: It transformed everyday life.
ALBERTO: Totally. From toys to appliances, packaging, clothing, tools... Everything changed with plastic.
SARA: And what is it used for now?
ALBERTO: For so many things. In packaging like bottles and bags. In technology, like mobile phone cases. In medicine for syringes and gloves. In transport for car and plane parts. And at home for furniture and toys.
TEACHER: What are the current advantages?
ALBERTO: Very versatile, resistant, durable. Allows cheap products. And in vehicles it reduces weight, which saves energy.
SARA: Seems like all advantages.
ALBERTO: (Serious) Not everything. It also has a big problem.
SARA: Which one?
ALBERTO: That it takes many, many years to degrade. Some plastics take hundreds of years to disappear.
TEACHER: And if not recycled correctly, generates a lot of pollution.
ALBERTO: Exactly. That's why today the three Rs are very important: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
SARA: What does each mean?
ALBERTO: Reduce means using less single-use plastics. Reuse is using things several times. And recycle is separating used plastic so it can be transformed into new products.
TEACHER: That's why you have to throw plastic in the yellow bin.
ALBERTO: Yes, when we throw it there, it's collected, cleaned, melted and turned into new objects. That way we give it a second life.
SARA: Now I understand why plastic is so important but also why we have to be careful how we use it.
ALBERTO: Exactly. It's a very useful material, but we have to be responsible.
END OF DIALOGUE
Plastic has been a key material for the development of modern society thanks to its versatility and low cost. From its appearance at the end of the 19th century to the mass production that began in 1950, it has completely transformed our way of life.
However, its massive use has also generated significant environmental problems. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade, so we must face this challenge responsibly.
Knowing its history helps us understand why it is so widely used and why we must manage it well: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle ♻️