Finite Plastic?

[Beswad]

Do you think plastic is finite resource?

[rja211077]

of course it's a finite resource, it's made from oil - a finite resource.

[Buenchico]

I both agree and disagree with rja211077 !

Certainly, 'plastic', as we currently understand the word, is most commonly made from petroleum oils and therefore, as rja211077 says, a finite resource. It should be remembered though, that in some countries (notably Brazil) vegetable oils are already replacing petroleum oils for fuelling cars. These oils can also be used for the production of various plastics. Indeed, it is likely that everyone reading this has already got 'bioplastics' in their homes. (e.g. your shampoo bottle might well be made from sugar cane). So, plastics are increasingly being made from renewable resources.

For further information see here:
http://www.agwest.sk.ca/education/plastics.php

Chris

[lucasdigital]

Most plastics are derived as a petroleum byproduct. However, I believe only a very tiny percentage of global oil production is used for plastic production.

I believe oil will become far too expensive to use as a fuel, long before it runs out as a source for the plastics industry.

 

As Buenchico states - there are alternate sources, although their viability as a potential replacement is debatable.