Search

Plastic

In the 1967 movie The Graduate, the word plastics represents a certain kind of bright, golden future. Well, the future is here. And so is plastic, which has a future far more enduring than we might imagine. A plastic is any of a number of petroleum-based polymer materials that can be molded or shaped into a wide range of forms; it is durable, long-lasting, and cheap to produce-a useful quality for manufacturers and consumers but a bad one for the environment, as it doesn't biodegrade and represents a tremendous landfill burden. Some, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also release toxic chemicals into the environment during production and/or disposal. Different types of plastic are made from different chemical compounds; each is identified by one of seven recycling-category numbers. In general, numbers 1 and 2 are the most easily recycled. For more on plastics, click here.

 

Top Searched Terms

 
 
                    

    Browse Glossary :
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  All
Advertisement

Quiz of the Day
    Q: If your cold-water tap runs at a chilly 60 degrees and you want 100-degree water for a nice hot shower, which of the following water heater temperature settings is the most energy-efficient choice?

Green Tip of the Day
   Recycle Your Old Cell Phone

Properly recycling your old cell phone saves resources and prevents toxins from polluting...

 >>Continue

Word of the Day
   Passive cooling

In the days before mechanical air-conditioning, this was how people beat the heat, and it can work surprisingly well. Natural cooling is an element of passive solar design, and involves blocking heat transfer through shading, insulation, thoughtful landscaping, and window placement; removing heat with fans, vents, and cross-ventilation; and reducing the use of heat-generating lights and appliances. In dry climates, evaporative cooling systems-which distribute moist air to cool a room-are a good natural alternative to traditional air conditioners. Even taking a nap in the hottest part of the day can be a part of a natural cooling approach. Do you really need another excuse? Also called natural cooling.

Go to Definition

How to Guides
   How to Compost

Landfills prohibit the breakdown of biodegradable materials such as vegetation and newsprint due...

 >>Read More
Copyright © BlueEgg.com. All rights reserved.
No part of the content or the data or information included herein may be reproduced, replicated or redistributed without the prior written permission of BlueEgg.com.
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Use Agreement and Privacy Policy.