Everything About Plastics

1. What are plastics made of?

Coal

Petroleum and Natural Gas

Limestone

Sometimes referred to as "excrement of oil," plastics are made from leftovers of the petroleum industry. But what's worse is that some plastics are derived from the same natural gas that, instead of being used to heat homes, is being turned into a disposable water bottle that will be thrown away.

-National Geographic, Green Guide

Explanation

Sometimes referred to as "excrement of oil," plastics are made from leftovers of the petroleum industry. But what's worse is that some plastics are derived from the same natural gas that, instead of being used to heat homes, is being turned into a disposable water bottle that will be thrown away.

-National Geographic, Green Guide

2. Plastics appear in which of the following?

Your clothes

Your carpets

Our food

All of the above

3. True or False: Cities that accept all types of plastic in municipal recycling programs recycle everything they collect.

True

False

4. Which plastic resin below does not transmit harmful chemicals into your food?

#4 low-density polyethylene

#3 polyvinyl chloride

#7 polycarbonate

Plastics labeled #4, #2 high-density polyethylene, and #5 polypropylene, have not been found to transmit any harmful chemicals into your food. #1 polyethylene, used in disposable water and soda bottles, is also a safer plastic, although research has found heavy metal antimony in water stored in these bottles for long periods of time.

- National Geographic, Food Safety & Storage

Explanation

Plastics labeled #4, #2 high-density polyethylene, and #5 polypropylene, have not been found to transmit any harmful chemicals into your food. #1 polyethylene, used in disposable water and soda bottles, is also a safer plastic, although research has found heavy metal antimony in water stored in these bottles for long periods of time.

- National Geographic, Food Safety & Storage

5. True or False: Farmers can now grow plastic in their fields.

True

False

New containers and packaging made from polylactic acid (PLA) can be made from a variety of plants, including potatoes, corn and sugar cane. These plants all contain a sugar called dextrose, which is separated from the plats, fermented, dehydrated and then crystallized to form PLA polymers that can take the place of plastic in many products.

Explanation

New containers and packaging made from polylactic acid (PLA) can be made from a variety of plants, including potatoes, corn and sugar cane. These plants all contain a sugar called dextrose, which is separated from the plats, fermented, dehydrated and then crystallized to form PLA polymers that can take the place of plastic in many products.