PLASTIC ALCHEMY
When we talk about plastic, what it really means?
The word plastic actually is derived from the Greek meaning “capable of being shaped or moulded”. Today, it is a name for a category of materials called polymers which means of many parts. More specifically, now when we talk about plastics products, we actually refer to the synthetic polymer which is mainly made of long chains of atoms. It has the properties of strong, lightweight and flexible.
Then move to the plastics come of age, it plays an important role in World War II because It becomes the precious alternatives to natural resources. With the new technological innovation, plastic gradually is popularized in wider range filed. In a word, During this stage, plastics demonstrate itself.
However, it not last long. With the trend of environmental movement, in the 1960s it started to aware the negative impact of plastic, especially focus on marine litter and its impact on marine animals. With the growing concern and crucial fact, we can no longer ignore the outcomes.
From the history, it is also along with the changing impression of plastic. Plastic as one of the artificial material which is one of symbol of modernity transform into something unreal, fake and low-value. This phenomenon reflects the The connotation of plastic closely relate to the current background of technological explosions and the cultural, social changes. We can the term “plastic” can evoke contradictory impressions: both decadence and progress.
Family plastic consumption
These families from different regions are trying to reduce their use of plastic and documented their use of a single week. However, it is quite hard. There are some quotes from them. One participant said:”when shopping, I do try to buy products with minimal packaging, but that’s challenging. Too. Because literally, everything is packaged. Another family thinks that they need more institutional information about plastic, if they have access to it. They can better know how to properly recycle, reuse or consume.
Reuters photographers
Experiment with plastic through different methods
I did lots of experiments with plastic to help design the toolkit. Consider the complexity of plastic, after gaining the basic knowledge of plastic (plastic is more specifically grouped into seven different types based on SPI code), I collected some information about other’s working experience, such as safety guide, and properties of different type of plastics. By the way There are two main categories of plastic named Thermosets and thermoplastics. Thermoplastics can be recycled and reshaped. So the experiment that I only focus on this category.
Baking
Ironing
Cold working
Process
