1. Recycling Plastics and Global
Environmental Challenges
Dr N Sai Bhaskar Reddy
Executive Director, CELS, The Earth Center
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com
http://saibhaskar.com
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
VASAVI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (AUTONOMOUS)
One Week Faculty Development Program (Online)
“Role of Chemistry in Advanced Engineering Materials” (RCAEM-2022)
10th -15th October 2022

2. INTRODUCTION
Plastic is the general common term for a wide
range of synthetic or semi synthetic organic solid
materials suitable for the manufacture of
industrial products. Plastics are typically
polymers of high molecular weight, and may
contain other substances to improve
performance and/or reduce costs.
Plastic is one of the few new chemical
materials which pose environmental problem.
Polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, PET
are largely used in the manufacture of plastics.

3. The History of Plastics
Plastics are said to be the most versatile
materials on earth. Almost all of the products we
use in our daily lives contain plastics. This display
chronicles some of the key discoveries,
inventions, and people that have helped make
the plastics industry what it is today.
You will notice that many important
developments related to plastics and rubber
happened right here in Massachusetts, beginning
with Charles Goodyear’s 1839 discovery of the
vulcanization process for natural rubber in
nearby Woburn. Also note that UMass Lowell
(formerly Lowell Technological Institute) was the
very first university in the nation to offer a
degree in Plastics Engineering. Take a few
minutes and learn more about the “History of
Plastics”.

4. Charles Goodyear spent most of his adult life trying to improve the
properties of natural rubber. Working in Woburn, MA in 1839, Goodyear
discovers that adding sulfur to natural rubber greatly enhances its elasticity
and toughness. His “sulfurized” rubber, later known as “vulcanized”
rubber, is still widely used today. While the Goodyear name is famous,
Charles Goodyear never realized fortune from his invention.
Charles Goodyear

5. John Wesley Hyatt, a printer and inventor from Albany NY, blended
nitrocellulose with camphor (sap from the laurel tree) to produce a
durable, colorful, and moldable thermoplastic known as celluloid (also
known as Pyroxylin) in 1868. Celluloid was the first commercially
successful semi-synthetic plastic. It was used for products such as
billiard balls, shirt collars, eyeglass frames and pen housings.
John Wesley Hyatt

6. The first synthetic plastic was discovered in 1907 when a Belgian born chemist, Dr. Leo H.
Baekeland, reacted phenol and formaldehyde under pressure using hexamethylenetetramine
as a catalyst for the reaction. The result was a thermosetting “phenolic” plastic he named
Bakelite. Compared to other plastics available at the time, such as celluloid, Baekeland’s
thermosetting phenolic was more stable. Once molded, this new material would not burn or
soften when reheated, or dissolve. This benefit made it stand out from the other plastics on
the market. Bakelite was an instant commercial success. It was electrically resistant,
chemically stable, heat resistant, rigid, moisture and weather resistant. It was very widely
used for its electrical insulating capability. Baekeland sold the rights to his invention to the
Eastman Kodak Company that first used it for camera bodies. It is also interesting to note
that J.W. Hyatt, inventor of celluloid and founder of the Hyatt-Burroughs Billiard Ball
Company, personally ordered his company to stop using celluloid and substitute Bakelite for
their billiard balls due to its superior performance.
Dr. Leo H. Baekeland

7. Most early “thermoset” plastic parts were produced by compression
or transfer molding. These molded phenolic Ekco radio housings are
being deflashed after being compression molded. (circa 1934)

8. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the
most widely used thermoplastics in use
today, particularly in the building and
home construction industries where it is
used for siding, window profiles & pipe.
The commercialization of PVC in 1927 is the direct result of research work
that was conducted by Waldo Semon, a chemist working at the B.F.
Goodrich Rubber Company. While PVC was already known at the time, it
had no commercial value since it could not be processed without
degrading. Semon discovered that PVC could be melt processed without
degrading if a high boiling point liquid “plasticizer” was added to it. PVC
formulations can be either rigid or flexible depending their plasticizer
concentration. The very first applications for PVC included foul weather
gear and electrical wire insulation.

9. 1939: Wood TV Cabinet
1948: Phenolic TV Cabinet 1970: HIPS TV Cabinet 2003: HIPS TV Cabinet
Although polystyrene (PS) was unknowingly
discovered by a German apothecary in 1839, it was
not until 1930 that a scientist from the BASF
Corporation developed a commercial process for the
manufacture of PS. General purpose PS is a very
transparent but fairly brittle thermoplastic. Shortly
after its commercial introduction, other rubber
modified or rubber toughened grades, known as high
impact polystyrene (HIPS) were introduced.
PS and HIPS are still widely today for items that range from razor cartridges
to television cabinets. Television cabinets were initially wooden, then
thermoset phenolic, followed by flame retardant HIPS that is still used today.

10. Rohm and Haas was the first company to market polymethyl methacrylate
(PMMA), better known as "acrylic“. It was introduced commercially in 1937.
Their tradename for this new thermoplastic was Plexiglas®. PMMA is a very
hard material and is actually more transparent than glass. This transparent
thermoplastic was first used for applications that ranged from contact lenses to
thermoformed aircraft canopies. It then became the material of choice for
automotive tail light lenses due to its superior optical properties, where it is still
used today. PMMA is also used in a wide variety of other applications including
acrylic fibers, paints and coatings, and as a marble replacement for kitchen
countertops.

11. The process of Injection Molding involves injecting hot (melted) plastic into a
closed mold cavity. Most early injection molding machines were imported from
Europe. The IM machine shown below was one of the first US built machines
and was manufactured by the HPM Corporation in Marion, OH. ( circa 1937)

12. The E.I. duPont de Nemours Company wanted to develop a synthetic fiber that could
replace silk. Shortly thereafter, duPont scientists, led by Dr. Wallace H. Carothers, pulled
the first long, strong, flexible strands of a synthetic polymer fiber out of a test tube. They
realized immediately that this artificial fiber had properties similar and in many ways
superior to natural fibers. The material, poly(hexamethylene adipamide), is more commonly
known as “nylon 66”. It was intoduced commercially in 1938. One of the earliest uses of
nylon 66 fiber was for tooth brush bristles, previously made from animal (Chinese boar)
bristles. During World War II, nylon was used for many applications including cargo
parachutes, tire cord for bombers, glider tow ropes, flak jackets, mosquito netting, and
jungle clothing.
Dr. Wallace H. Carothers

13. The first solution to molding
“larger” plastic parts was a
molding machine with multiple
injection units.
This 1939 HPM injection
molding machine had four
injection units giving it a total
shot capacity of 32 ounces. It
was used to mold the “very
large” (for that time)
automobile dash board parts
shown above.

14. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is an extremely
versatile thermoplastic made by the condensation
reaction of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
Discovered in 1941, PET was initially used for the
production of synthetic textile fiber, know today as
Dacron®. Biaxially oriented PET film, known as
Mylar®, is also widely used. However, the single
largest use for PET is “stretch blow molded” beverage
bottles. PET bottles are transparent, lightweight,
have good barrier properties, and shatter resistant.
Like most thermoplastics, PET is recyclable. In most
cases, the recycled PET bottles are reprocessed to
form PET textile fiber for clothing.

15. A major contribution to the mold making and molding industries was
made by I.T. Quarnstrom, a toolmaker from Detroit, in 1943. He came
up with the concept of producing “standard mold bases” having
interchangeable components. The standard mold base would greatly
simplify the machining process for plastic molds and reduce the time
required to build injection and compression molds. The standard mold
bases were produced by the DME Corporation that is still the leading
supplier of mold bases today.

16. Dr. Roy Plunkett, a young scientist working at DuPont, accidentally
discovers polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), an inherently slippery and
remarkably chemically resistant plastic. It is said to be the most slippery
substance on earth. The initial discovery occurred in 1938, but the
commercial introduction of DuPont’s Teflon® did not occur until 1946.
Teflon® is most widely known for its widespread use in nonstick
cookware and as cable insulation but it is used in a wide variety of other
unique applications. Teflon® sheet is used as an insulator and lubricant
between the copper skin and the stainless steel skeleton of the Statue of
Liberty. It is also widely used for specialty textiles. The roof of the
Pontac Silverdome is made of a Teflon® coated woven glass fiber fabric.

17. The tough thermoplastic known as ABS, short for polyacrylonitrile
butadiene styrene, was first produced in 1951. At first, ABS was
just a “blend” of polystyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) and
butadiene rubber as an impact modifier. However, the properties
of the blend were not particularly good. It was then discovered
that outstanding impact performance could be obtained if the SAN
was chemically grafted onto the butadiene rubber. The grafted
version is known as ABS “terpolymer”. The properties of ABS can
be fine tuned by controlling the relative ratio of each monomer.
ABS is widely used in applications where toughness is required.
One of the earliest applications was for football helmets, which are
now made from polycarbonate. Today, ABS is most widely used
for consumer electronics and business machine housings.

18. General Motors introduced the Chevrolet Corvette in 1953. It was
designed by GM’s chief stylist Harley Earl, who was intrigued with the
use of glass fiber reinforced plastic as a body material. A total of 300
Corvettes were produced in the first year of production, each containing
forty one glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester body parts. The
1953 Corvette was available only with a white body and red interior, and
sold for $3,498.00. While the Corvette has changed dramatically over its
50 year history, one thing that has not changed is the use of the glass
fiber reinforced plastic body.
1953 Corvette 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette

19. Working independently, Hermann Schnell of Bayer A.G. in Germany and
Daniel Fox of the General Electric Company in the US, both discovered
polycarbonate in 1953. This optically transparent engineering
thermoplastic offers a great balance of stiffness and toughness, heat
resistance and electrical insulating properties. It is widely used for durable
products such as automotive headlights, tool housings, helmets and
computer enclosures. In more recent years, special grades of
polycarbonate have been developed for optical recording media. Virtually
all CD’s, CD-ROM’s and DVD’s are manufactured using polycarbonate.

20. A number of scientists have been named Nobel Laureates for their
pioneering work in the field of polymers or macromolecules. They
include:
Hermann Staudinger for his many discoveries
in the field of macromolecular chemistry. (1953)
Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta for their
discoveries related to polymer chemistry and
new polymerization technologies. (1963)
Paul J. Flory for fundamental achievements,
both theoretical and experimental, in the
physical chemistry of macromolecules. (1974)
P.G. de Gennes for creating the reptation model
of polymer dynamics used to predict polymer
properties and viscosity. (1991)
Alan J. Heeger, Alan G. MacDiarmid and H.
Shirakawa for the discovery and development
of inherently conductive polymers. (2000)
The Nobel Prize

21. High Density Polyethylene
The thermoplastic known as “high
density polyethylene” (HDPE) was first
produced commercially by Phillips
Petroleum in 1955. It was given the
tradename Marlex ®. This new
thermoplastic offered a good balance of
mechanical properties, low specific
gravity, electrical insulation, and
chemical resistance. However, the
material had few markets in those early
years. Then came the Hula Hoop !
Richard Knerr and Artur Melin, founders of the Wham-O Company, were
the architects of the biggest “fad” of all time – the “Hula Hoop”. The
Hula Hoop evolved from bamboo hoops previously used in Australia. At
the peak of this craze in 1958, Wham-O was using 1,000,000 pounds of
HDPE each week for Hula Hoop production. They were the largest user
of HDPE at the time.

22. The Monsanto House of the Future was constructed at Disneyland in
1957. The frame and structure of the house were 100% plastic. The
house featured a number of innovations including a visual phone, an
ultrasonic dishwasher, and a microwave oven. The house had four
cantilevered wings floating above beautifully landscaped grounds and
waterfalls. Like many concept designs, Monsanto’s House of the Future
was never mass produced. However, today the building and construction
industry is one of the largest and fastest growing markets for plastics.

23. Working at the Milan Polytechnic Institute, Professor Guillo Natta
had been examining propylene reactions attempting to find a new
commercial polymer. The best efforts of other researchers had
yielded only soft, gummy substances which showed no promise.
His work was of great importance as it represented the first attempt
to “engineer” a polymer molecule to a predetermined specification
using a designed polymerization technology. The first "molecular
mechanic" succeeded in 1954, building a long chain stereoregular
polypropylene molecule. Polypropylene went into production in
1957 and is now a commodity plastic offering a very good balance
of properties that include stiffness, toughness, chemical resistance,
and translucent optics. One very unique characteristic of
polypropylene is its ability function for thousands of cycles as an
“integral hinge”. Polypropylene and its copolymers are among the
most widely used thermoplastics. Professor Natta was awarded
the Nobel Prize in chemistry for this work.

24. Plastics are used extensively in the medical industry. One of the most interesting
medical applications for plastics is the “artificial hip”. Each prosthesis is made up
of two parts: the acetabular component (socket portion) that replaces the
acetabulum, and the femoral component (stem portion) that replaces the femoral
head. The femoral component is made of titanium, while the acetabular
component is made of a metal shell with a plastic inner socket liner. The plastic
liner is molded from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene and acts like a
bearing. The UHMWPE is extremely tough, abrasion resistant and has a very low
coefficient of friction. This is a very good example of how plastics and metals work
together to enhance our quality of life.
UHMWPE
acetabular
Titanium
stem

25. Mr. McGuire: Come with me for a minute. I want to talk to you. I just want to
say one word to you. Just one word.
Ben: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening ?
Ben: Yes sir, I am.
Mr. McGuire: PLASTICS.
Ben: Exactly how do you mean ?
Mr. McGuire: There is a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think
about it ?
Ben: Yes I will.
The Graduate, starring Dustin Hoffman, is released by Embassy Pictures
in 1967. A memorable poolside scene from the movie:

26. On July 20, 1969 – the human race accomplished its greatest technological
achievement of all time when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. This
feat would not have been possible without many materials science
developments. Plastics played an important roll. For example, the Apollo
A7L space suits were a multi-layer plastic structure comprised of nylon
fabric, neoprene coated nylon fabric, Dacron® (PET) fabric, aluminized
Mylar® (PET) film, Kapton® (PI) film, and Teflon® (PTFE) coated fabric.
The “fish bowl” helmet was produced from transparent polycarbonate.
The space suits of today make even more extensive use of plastics.

27. Relying on experience and instinct, Stephanie Kwolek
invented one of the modern world's most readily
recognized and widely used materials: Kevlar®.
Kwolek, a DuPont chemist, specialized in low-
temperature processes for the preparation of
condensation polymers. In the 1960’s, she discovered
an entirely new branch of synthetics known as liquid
crystalline polymers. She discovered an aramid
polymer that most researchers would have rejected,
since it was fluid and cloudy, rather than viscous and
clear. Kwolek, acting on instinct, insisted on spinning
out the solution, and the result was astonishing:
synthetic fibers much stiffer and stronger than any
created before. The polymer fiber, named Kevlar®,
was first marketed in 1971. The fiber was five times
stronger than steel (on a strength per weight basis)
but about half the density of glass fiber. Kevlar® is
best known to the public as the material from which
bulletproof vests are made; and in this use alone has
saved thousands of lives. In fact, Kevlar® has dozens
of important applications, including radial tire cord,
brake pads, racing boat sails, aircraft components,
and suspension bridge cables.
Stephanie Kwolek

28. In the 1974, Edward Klobbie, a plastics process engineer from the
Netherlands, developed a process that could be used to manufacture
“plastic lumber” from waste post consumer plastic packaging. Plastic
lumber can be manufactured from a variety of waste streams, however,
it is most commonly produced using post consumer HDPE milk or
detergent bottles. Wood fiber or saw dust is often added to the plastic
lumber as a reinforcing filler. Plastic lumber offers a number of
advantages for outdoor applications where it competes with pressure
treated wood lumber. Plastics lumber is used for applications such as
porches or decks, park benches, landscape timbers, and even railroad
ties. It is rot proof, durable, and virtually maintenance free.

29. The Moldflow Corporation revolutionized the plastic part and mold design
fields when it introduced “Injection Molding Simulation” software in 1978.
Founded in Australia by Colin Austin, Moldflow was the first company to
produce software that allowed plastics engineers to optimize the design of
their parts and molds before “cutting steel”. Moldflow, now headquartered
in Wayland, MA is dedicated to improving the Design to Manufacture
Process for injection molded plastic parts.

30. Polyurethane could be the most versatile plastics available
today. A polyurethane is formed by reacting a polyol (an alcohol
with more than two reactive hydroxyl groups per molecule) with
a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate in the presence of
suitable catalysts and additives. Polyurethanes can be molded,
extruded, or cast, and are available as foams, coatings,
specialty adhesives and sealants. The flexible and durable
vertical body panels of the Pontiac Fierro were reaction injection
molded polyurethane. The first artificial replacement heart, the
Jarvic-7, was produced from a flexible and fatigue resistant
polyurethane. The toughness and abrasion resistance of
polyurethane make it an ideal material for applications such as
in-line skate wheels.

31. Prototyping is a very important step in the new product development process.
In 1982, Charles Hull first conceived the idea of the “Rapid Prototyping”
process known as StereoLithography®. This rapid prototyping equipment,
produced by 3D Systems in Valencia, CA, is a fully automated system for the
production of prototype plastic parts. The process begins by slicing a “solid
computer model” of the proposed part in thin (virtual) layers. A focused
ultraviolet laser beam then shines onto a photosensitive liquid epoxy plastic
resin bath at selected locations causing the epoxy to polymerize and solidify.
The part is built or “grown” one layer at a time. Using this process, prototype
parts can be built in a matter of hours, rather than days or weeks as with
traditional machining. This has revolutionized the product development
process and reduced time to market for new products.

32. In search of a high temperature thermoplastic, scientists at the General
Electric Company discovered polyetherimide (PEI) in the early 1980’s.
The material was introduced commercially in 1982 with the tradename
Ultem®. The transparent amorphous thermoplastic has mechanical
properties very similar to polycarbonate, but has much better heat
resistance. It can be used at temperatures up to 365ºF for an extended
period of time. It is also inherently flame retardant and very lightweight.
The combination of these properties make Ultem® the ideal material for
applications such as the thermal imaging camera case and firefighter
helmets shown below.

33. The emerging field of “Micro Injection Molding” is in its infancy today. In
recent years, injection molding machinery suppliers have started to
manufacture very small scale molding machines, having clamp tonnages
as low as three tons and shot capacities less than a gram. Now that this
equipment is available, microscopic plastic parts can be manufactured
with unprecedented precision. The micro molded plastic medical parts
shown on the left below are molded by Miniature Tool and Die in Charlton,
MA and weigh just 0.00012 grams each. The Micro Injection Molding Lab
at UMass Lowell’s Plastics Engineering Department is sponsored by
Sumitomo Plastics Machinery.

34. In the mid 1980’s, General Motors Chairman Roger Smith set out to
“rethink” the way automobiles were designed and manufactured.
Working with a clean slate, GM rethought everything from marketing to
materials of construction to manufacturing. Plastics played a large roll
in this effort. The new automobile, the Saturn, was the very first
passenger vehicle to make extensive use of injection molded
“thermoplastics” for exterior body panels. Most of the Saturn’s body
panels are molded from a blend of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). The use of the PC/ABS gave designers
much greater design freedom when compared to traditional sheet metal
body panels. The PC/ABS body is also, lightweight, corrosion resistant
and durable.
The very first Saturn was
driven out of the Spring Hill
Tennessee assembly plant
by Roger Smith himself on
July 30, 1990. More than
2.5 million Saturns have
been produced since that
time.

35. Plastics have been used for telephone housings since the turn of the
last century. The early black plastic phones were compression
molded from thermosetting phenolic and had wall thicknesses up to
13 mm. Injection molded ABS phones were introduced in the 1950’s.
ABS has a very high gloss, good impact resistance, and unlike
phenolic, could be molded in a variety of different colors. The ABS
phones had wall thicknesses of about 3 mm. Today’s cell phones are
injection molded using a polycarbonate & ABS blend (PC/ABS). The
compact and lightweight phones of today have wall thicknesses in the
range of 1 mm. Telephones are a good example of how plastic
products evolve over time. Creative product designers make use of
new plastic materials and new plastic processing technologies as they
become available in order to improve product performance.

36. Mico Kaufman, a Tewksbury sculptor, is most
famous for his traditional metal artwork. As a
sculptor, his bronze artworks include the
“Homage to Women” and “Indian Maiden” which
are both located in Lowell. He is also well known
for his Presidential Inaugural Metals, including
those of Presidents Ford, Regan and Bush.
Always on the lookout for new ideas, Mico found
his next artistic medium — molten plastic. "I
finally felt that I had a medium, had the material,
where only the imagination was the limit," he
says. "I was letting my hair down and doing
something that I always wanted. Each type of
plastic has a temper and personality of its own,
so everything you do inspires you to do
something more.“ Over the past ten years, Mico
has been creating plastic artwork in the
laboratories of the Plastics Engineering
Department at UML. The artwork is created by
forming strips of molten plastic as it exits an
“extruder”. Mico has produced more than 30
plastic sculptures including the one to the right.
Mico
Kaufman

37. “Very Large” Part
Injection Molding
This HUSKY
8800 ton clamp
injection molding
machine is being
used to mold
“thermoplastic” Jeep
Wrangler® hardtops.
This is one of the
largest injection
molded parts ever
made.

38. Some of the most advanced plastic products being
manufactured today are used in the medical industry.
The angioplasty catheter is a good example of a life
saving medical device that would not be possible
without plastics. Balloon angioplasty is a minimally
invasive non-surgical alternative to coronary artery
bypass grafting surgery. The angioplasty balloon is
used to compress obstructing plaque in a clogged
artery against the arterial wall so that blood can flow
freely again. The doctor positions the balloon of the
angioplasty catheter at the site of the blockage and
gently expands it to compress the plaque and create a
wider opening in the artery. This procedure has a very
high success rate and greatly reduces the chances of
surgical complications.
Angioplasty balloons are
made from a variety of
plastics including PET,
nylon 11 or nylon 12.

39. The exciting new materials science
field known as “nanoscience” has a
number connections with plastics. For
example, nanocomposites are plastics
that are reinforced with very finely
divided and dispersed nanoclays or
nanofibers. These nanocomposites
can offer unprecedented mechanical
performance and barrier properties.
The minivan step shown above
is produced using a nanoclay
reinforced thermoplastic.

40. The plastics industry started in the late
1800’s with plastics produced from natural
resources. These included plastics based on
shellac, cellulose and natural rubber. As the
petrochemical industry developed in the
1900’s, a wider variety of synthetic plastics
were introduced and production of plastics
based on natural resources declined even
as the overall consumption of plastics rose.
These synthetic plastics had more
consistent quality and properties, and could
be produced at a lower cost.
As the world develops, the demand for our non-renewable and limited
resources has grown rapidly. This has led to feedstock shortages and
petrochemical price increases. Ironically, manufactures of plastics are now
turning back to natural and renewable resources for manufacturing plastics,
as they did in the 1800’s. This plastic coffee mug shown above is produced
from poly(lactic acid), a thermoplastic that is derived from corn. Many of
these agricultural based plastics are also biodegradable.

41. The Future of Plastics ?
As you can see from this display, PLASTICS are used for almost all of
the products we use in our daily lives. The food packaging, medical,
automotive, electronics, building construction, and textile industries all
make extensive use of plastics and elastomers. The developments in
new materials and process technologies that have occurred over the
past 150 years have been very significant. Exciting new developments
and discoveries related to plastics are happening all of the time.
What is the future in PLASTICS ? No one knows for sure. However,
one thing is for sure. It is the “PLASTICS ENGINEERS” of tomorrow
that will “shape” the future of the plastics industry. The future is limited
only by their imagination and creativity. We hope you will consider a
career as a Plastics Engineer. Feel free to stop by the Plastics Dept.
Office upstairs in B-204 if you would like any additional information.

42. What's happening right now
Mixed waste
at local
dumps

43. Increasing burden on the landfills
What's happening right now

44. What's happening right now
Urban
flooding

45. What's happening right now
Plastic in
the
Ocean

46. Plastic Soup
More and more plastic waste is ending up in our oceans and seas. Due to the effects of weathering,
sunlight and wave action, this plastic reduces to smaller particles. This leads to serious pollution.
The oceans occupy 72% of the earth’s surface and they are our principal source of oxygen. Plastic in
ocean environments is deadly for many marine animals. Plastic does not degrade biologically.
As a result of the breakdown and fragmentation of plastic into smaller particles, ocean water has
been transformed into a sort of global microplastic soup or Plastic Soup.

48. Let’s first take a look at few known facts on
PLASTICS
Invented
in 1885.
Made from
fossil fuels
Plastic is a synthetic polymer.
Malleable, lightweight,
transparent, unbreakable
BUT it is not BIODEGRADABLE.

49. Data that would make you think twice
before using plastic
Every year, the world-
● Produces 400 million tons of plastic.
● Out of which at least 8 million tons of plastic
end up in the oceans.
● Uses 500 million plastic bags.
In the last decade, we produced more plastic than in
the whole last century.
India alone consumed 17.8 million tons of plastic in 2017.

50. What can we do?

51. What do the rules say?
Source segregation
mandatory
No open disposal, no
burning
Process wet waste
within the premises
Penalty on non-
compliance

52. How to segregate?
WET
WASTE
SANITARY/
HAZARDOUS
WASTE
E-WASTE RECYCLABLE/
DRY WASTE

53. How to segregate?
Wet Waste(51%)
•Kitchen waste
•Soiled paper/cardboard
•Egg shells
•Garden waste
•Cooked food (less
quantity)

54. How to segregate?
Sanitary/Hazardous
Waste (31%)
*Wrap in newspaper*
•Diaper/sanitary napkins
•Bandages/condoms/syringe
s
•Medicines/medical waste
•Razor blades/broken glass

55. How to segregate?
E-Waste
•Batteries
•CFL/LED/tube lights
•Wires
•Electrical appliances
•Flashlight/calculators/clocks

56. How to segregate?
Recyclable
Waste (18%)
•Plastics (must be rinsed if soiled)
•Paper/cardboard
•Metals
•Glass (unbroken)

57. How to dispose the waste?
Wet Waste
•Wet waste should be processed
within the premises (SWM rules)
•Community composting in green
belts/parks
•Composting at household level
•Biomethanation
•Compost can be used in the parks

58. How to dispose the waste?
Sanitary/hazardous Waste
• Carefully Wrap it in a newspaper
• Handover to the waste picker separately
• It will be incinerated or landfilled

59. How to dispose the waste?
Recyclable and E-Waste
•Dry waste is further segregated and sent for
recycling
•E-Waste needs scientific and careful disposal

60. Types of plastic
• Based on Chemical Properties & BIS Classification (Notified under
PWM Rules, 2016), there are seven categories of plastics) :-
How many drops make up an ocean? Conserve water; every drop counts.

61. Types of plastic
“When you put the whole picture together, recycling is the right thing to do.”

63. Uses of plastic in
daily life
“We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.”

64. Sources of plastic waste

65. Environmental impacts

66. back-ground
Plastic Waste Exported to Various Countries

67. back-ground
Generation of Plastic Waste State Wise

68. Back-Ground
• According, to a report per capita per day production will increase
by 07. kg in 2050.
• Various factors on which the characteristics of waste depends
are food habits, tractions, lifestyle, climate etc.
• India’s plastic consumption set to cross 20 million metric tonnes
by 2020
पेड़-पौधे मत करो नष्ट,स ॉंस लेने में होगा कष्ट!

69. INTRODUCTION
TO
PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT
RULES, 2016

70. Responsibilities of
Brand Owners, Producers and Importers (As
per Rule 9)
• Producers shall work out modalities for collect back system based on
EPR involving State UDD,
• Primary Responsibility of collection of multilayered plastic sheet or
pouches or packaging of Producers, Importers & Brand Owners.
• An Action plan endorsed by Secretary-in-Charge, Urban
Development Department, to be submitted to concerned SPCB/PCC
while applying for consent to establish, Operate or Renewal.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

71. Definition
Extended Producer Responsibility
Environmental protection strategy, Producers have
been made responsible for environmentally sound
management of the product until the end of its life
Producer Responsibility Organisation
Takes responsibility of Producers for collection and
channelization of Plastic-waste generated from the
‘end –of-life’ of their products.
“CYCLING GIVES HEALTH TO ONE E-RECYCLING GIVES HEALTH TO ALL.”

72. Responsibilities of
Brand Owners, Producers and Importers (As
per Rule 9)
• Phase-out use of non-recyclable multi-layered plastic in
two years time.
• Producers within three months shall apply to SPCB/PCC
for grant of registration.
• No Producer on an after of expiry of six month shall
manufacture or use any plastic are multi-layered packaging
without registration from SPCB/PCC.
“ A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold to a thirsty man.”

73. Responsibilities of
Brand Owners, Producers and Importers (As
per Rule 9)
• Brand owners whose consent has been renewed before the
notification of the rules
- Shall submit such Action Plan within 1 year
from date of notification of these Rules.
- Shall implement the Action Plan within 2 years
there-after.
• Producers shall maintain the record of plastic used as raw
material to manufacture carry bags/ sheets etc.
“Water Covers 2/3 of the surface of the Earth but Only 0.002% is
Drinkable. Save Water.”

74. Conditions ( Rule 4)
Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors,
sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or
like)
1. Minimum thickness criteria not applicable for compostable carry-
bags (conforming IS/ISO: 17088:2008 & having CPCB Certificate
for marketing/selling)
2. Minimum thickness (virgin or recycled): not < 50 micrometers.
3. Manufacturers of plastic carry-bags shall register with SPCB/PCC.
सूखी धरा करें एक ही पुकार, जल बचाओ जीवन बचाओ

75. Conditions ( Rule 4)
Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors,
sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or
like)
• Recycled carry bags not to be used for packing/storing/dispensing of
food items etc.
• Each carry bag shall have name, registration number of
manufacturer, thickness, “recycled” mark etc. as applicable.
• Plastic Sachets/Pouches ( Vinyl Acetate- Maleic Acid – Vinyl
Chloride are not permitted for packing Gutkha, Pan Masala &
Tobacco.

76. Marking & labeling
• Each materials made from plastic shall bear a label or a mark
“recycled” as shown and shall conform to Indian Standard:
IS:14534:1998 titles as “ Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics”

77. Marking & labeling
• Products made from plastic shall bear a label “compostable” as
shown and shall conform to Indian Standard: IS: 17088:2008
titles as “Specification for Compostable Plastics”

78. Conditions ( Rule 4)
Importer, manufacturer, stockiest, distributors,
sale and use of plastic carry bags, sheets or
like)
• Recycled plastics shall conform the Indian Standards IS
14534:1998 titled as Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics.
• Plastic sheets used for packaging, warping the commodity shall
not be less than > 50 microns

79. Responsibilities of
Waste Generators
• Institutional Generators shall segregate and store the waste generated
and handover the segregated waste to disposal facilities or deposition
centers.
• All waste generators shall pay such user fee or charge as specified in by-
laws of local bodies for plastic waste management.
• Every person is responsible for organizing an event in Open Space, which
involves serving of food stuff in plastic or multi-layered packaging shall
segregate and manage the waste generated
“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.”

80. Responsibilities of Local Body
and Gram Panchayats (Rules 5 & 6 )
• Setting up separate collection of bio-degradable (wet) and non-
biodegradable (dry) waste like plastic.
• Ensuring open burning of plastic waste does not take place.
• Ensuring processing and disposal of plastic waste through Plastic
Waste Management technologies.
• Ensuring channelization of recyclable plastic waste fraction to
registered recyclers.
Renewable energy is not more expensive than fossil fuel when you factor in
life-cycle costs.

81. Responsibilities of Local Body
and Gram Panchayats (Rules 5 & 6 )
• Setting-up of system for plastic waste management with the
assistance of producers.
• Creating awareness among all stakeholders about their
responsibilities.
• Engaging civil societies or groups working with waste pickers.
"Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

82. Plastic Waste Generation and Issues in India
• As per the 2015 study conducted by Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) in 60 major cities of
India: 4,059 tonnes per day of plastic waste was generated by these cities
• Extrapolating the data from these 60 cities, an estimated 25,940 tonnes
per day of plastic waste is generated in India
• Out of the plastic waste generated , 94% comprises of
thermoplastic content which is recyclable

83. Need for Plastic Waste Management
Aesthetics & Hygiene
• Plastic is an artificially created polymer compound
which can survive many centuries before nature is
able to degrade it
• It is an aesthetic nuisance than a hazard since the material is biologically
quite inert
• It is cheap and gets discarded easily, and its
persistence in environment can do great harm
Threat to birds & animals
• Plastics pose a serious danger to birds, animals and
marine animals that often mistake them for food
• Not only animals, infants and young children have
also been reported to have lost their life, on
account of suffocation by plastic bags

84. Need for Plastic Waste Management (contd.)
Environment
• Careless disposal of plastic bags chokes drains,
blocks the porosity of the soil, inhibits
groundwater recharge and can cause landslides
• It reduces soil fertility and can lessen the growth
of plants and trees by blocking the absorption of
minerals, water and other nutrients
Health
• Toxic chemicals found in plastic cause cancer,
birth defects, hormonal changes, diabetes, gastric
ulcer thyroid problems and cardiovascular
diseases
• Plastics when burnt release a host of poisonous
chemicals into the air
• Plastic Industry releases a large amount of carbon
monoxide, dioxin, hydrogen cyanide which cause
respiratory diseases, nervous system disorders
and immune suppression in human beings

85. Objectives of the Plastic Waste Management
Rules, 2016
To encourage
To adopt To ensure
effective plastic
waste
management so
as to minimize
threat posed to
the environment
involvement of
waste pickers ,
recyclers and
waste processors
in collection of
plastic waste
fraction
To enable and
ensure source
segregation and
recycling of
polluters’ pay
principle for the
sustainability of
the waste
To encourage
minimization of
plastic waste
plastic waste management
system
The erstwhile 2011 rules were reviewed in light of the above objectives, and Plastic
Waste
Management Rules, 2016 formulated

86. Aim of Plastic Waste Management Rules
• Increase minimum thickness of plastic carry bags from 40
to 50 microns
• Expand the jurisdiction of applicability from the municipal
area to rural areas
• To bring in the responsibilities of producers and
generators
• collection of plastic waste management fee through pre-
registration of the producers, importers of plastic carry
bags/multi layered packaging and vendors
• To promote use of plastic waste for road construction,
energy recovery, or waste to oil etc. for gainful utilization
of waste and also address the waste disposal issue.

87. Some Important Definitions
Brand Owner:- a person or a company who sells any commodity
under a registered brand label.
Carry Bags:- bags made from plastic material or compostable
plastic material, used for the purpose of carrying or dispensing
commodities which have a self carrying feature but do not include
bags that constitute or form an integral part of the packaging in
which goods are sealed prior to use.
Compostable Plastics:- plastic that undergoes degradation by
biological processes during composting to yield co2, water, organic
compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other unknown
compostable materials, excluding conventional petro-based
plastics , and does not leave visible, distinguishable or toxic
residue.

88. Some Important Definitions –Cont..
Plastic:- material which contains as an essential ingredient a high
polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate, high density
polyethylene vinyl, low density polyethylene, polypropylene,
polystyrene resins, multi materials like acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene, polyphenylene oxide, polycarbonate, polybutyene
terephthalate.
Extended Producer’s responsibility:-the responsibility of a
producer for the environmentally sound management of the
product until the end of its life.
Facility :-the premises used for collection, storage, recycling,
processing and disposal of plastic waste.

89. Some Important Definitions –Cont..
Institutional Waste Generator:- occupier of the institutional
buildings such as buildings occupied by central government
departments, state government departments, public or private
sector companies, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities or
other places of education, organization, academy, hotels,
restaurants, malls and shopping complexes.
Manufacturer:- a person or unit or agency engaged in production
of plastic raw material to be used as the raw material by the
producer.
Multi-layered Packaging:-any material used or to be used for
packaging and having at least one layer of plastic as the main
ingredient in combination with one or more materials such as
paper, paper board, polymeric materials, metalized layers of
aluminium foil, either in the form of a laminate or co-extruded

90. Some Important Definitions –Cont..
Plastic Sheet :-plastic sheet is the sheet made of plastic.
Producer:- persons engaged in manufacture or import of carry
bags or multi-layered packaging or plastic sheets or like, includes
industries or individuals using plastic sheets or like covers made of
plastic sheets or multi-layered packaging for packaging or
wrapping the commodity.
Recycling:- the process of transforming segregated plastic waste
into a new product or raw material for producing new products.
Street Vendor:- shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in
clause (I) of sub-section (1) of Section 2 of Street Vendors
(Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act,
2014. (7 of 2014)

91. Some Important Definitions –Cont..
VIRGIN PLASTIC :-plastic material which has not been subjected to
use earlier and has not been blended with scarp or waste.
WASTE GENERATOR :-Includes every person or group of persons
or institution, residential and commercial establishments including
Indian Railways, airport, Port and Harbour and defence
establishments which generate plastic waste.
WASTE PICKERS :-Individuals or agencies, groups of individuals
voluntarily engaged or authorized for picking of recyclable plastic
waste.

92. Conditions for Plastic Carry Bags and Plastic
Sheets in Packaging
The manufacture, importer stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags, plastic sheets or
like, or cover made of plastic sheet and multilayered packaging, are subject to the following:
Either be in natural shade or use only approved pigments and colorants as per Indian
Standard : IS 9833:1981
Recycled plastic carry bags not be used for storing, carrying, dispensing or packaging ready
to eat or drink food stuff
> fifty microns in thickness (except where thickness of plastic sheets in multilayer packaging
impair functionality of the product)
Compostable plastics shall conform to the Indian Standard: IS 17088:2008
Due registration required from State Pollution Control Board/Committee for Manufacturer
to sell/provide/arrange plastic as raw material for Producer
Sachets/ plastic material in any form shall not be used for storing, packing or selling gutkha,
tobacco and pan masala
Recycling of plastic waste shall conform to the Indian Standard: IS 14534:1998
The Plastic Waste Management Rules have stringent rules for plastic carry bags and plastic
sheets used in multilayered packaging

93. Responsibilities of Local Body
Every Local Body shall:
Develop infrastructure for segregation, collection, storage, transportation, processing and
disposal of plastic waste
Setup, operationalize and coordinate the waste management system and perform
associated functions:
Segregation,
collection,
Processing &
disposal of
plastic waste non-recyclabl awareness
Engage civil
societies or Prohibit open
Recyclable Create
Ensure no
damage to the
environment
storage,
groups burning of
transportation
, processing
and disposal
channelized e fraction as among
stakeholders
working with plastic waste
waste pickers
to recyclers per CPCB
norms
With assistance of Producers, setup plastic waste management within 1 year of notification
of the Rules
Frame bye-laws incorporating the provisions of these Rules
Local Bodies are responsible for setting up, operationalizing and coordinating the plastic
waste management system and perform associated functions

94. Responsibilities of Waste Generators
Every waste generator shall:
Take steps to minimize generation of plastic waste
Segregate plastic waste at source in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules,
2016
Not litter plastic waste
Handover segregated waste to urban local body or gram panchayat or agencies appointed
by them or registered waste pickers’, registered recyclers or waste collection agencies
Pay such user fee or charge as may be specified in the bye-laws of the local bodies for
plastic waste management
Manage plastic waste generated from food served in plastic or multilayered packaging
during events in open spaces
Waste Generators are responsible for minimizing plastic waste, segregating it at source and
handing over to authorized players

95. Responsibilities of Producers, Importers and Brand Owners
•Primary responsibility of packaging waste collection is of Producers,
Importers and Brand Owners who introduce the products in the market
•To establish waste collection system as per EPR Authorization
•Manufacture and use of non- recyclable multilayered plastic if any
should be phased out in 2 years time
•Register with the State Pollution Control Board or the Pollution Control
Committee
Producers, Importers and Brand owners who introduce products in the market, have primary
responsibility of collecting packaging plastic waste

96. Prescribed Authorities
The State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee will enforce provisions
of these rules relating to registration, manufacture of plastic products and multilayered
packaging, processing and disposal of plastic wastes
1
2
The concerned Secretary-in-charge of Urban Development of the State/UT shall enforce
provisions of these rules relating to waste management by waste generator, use of
plastic carry bags, plastic sheets or like, covers made of plastic sheets and multilayered
packaging
The concerned Gram Panchayat shall enforce the provisions of these rules relating to
waste management by the waste generator, use of plastic carry bags, plastic sheets or
like, covers made of plastic sheets and multilayered packaging in the rural area of the
State/UT
3
4
The authorities referred to in sub-rules (1) to (3) shall take the assistance of the District
Magistrate or the Deputy Commissioner within the territorial limits of the jurisdiction of
the concerned district
The SPCB/Committee and Secretary, UDD are responsible for enforcing various provisions of
the Rules with assistance from DM/DC

97. Responsibilities of Retailers and Street Vendors
No selling or providing commodities to consumer in carry
bags or plastic sheet or
multilayered packaging, which are not manufactured and
labelled or marked, as
prescribed under these rules
Pay such fines as specified under the bye-laws of the local
bodies, if found selling or
providing commodities in, plastic carry bags or multilayered
packaging or plastic
sheets or like or covers made of plastic sheets which are not
manufactured or
labelled or marked in accordance with these rules
Retailers and Street Vendors have to adhere to the guidelines prescribed in the Rules for
plastic carry bags/plastic sheets/multilayered packaging

98. Explicit Pricing of Carry Bags
Local body shall
utilize the
amount paid by
the customers
for the carry
bags exclusively
for the
sustainability of
the waste
Registered shop
keepers shall
display at
prominent place
that plastic carry
bags are given
on payment
management
system within
their
jurisdictions
Shopkeepers and Street Vendors can register with the Local Body, and provide
plastic carrybags to customers on payment.can register with the Local Body,
and provide plastic carry
bags to customers on payment
Vendors willing to
provide Plastic
Carry bags for
dispensing any
commodity shall

99. State Level Monitoring Committee
• The State Government/UT shall constitute a State Level Advisory Committee for monitoring
implementation, which shall meet at least once in 6 months and invite experts, if necessary
Secretary, Department of Urban Development
Director from State Department of Environment
Member Secretary from State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee
Municipal Commissioner
Chairman
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Convener
one expert from Local Body
one expert from Non-Governmental organization involved in Waste Management
Commissioner, Value Added Tax or his nominee
Sales Tax Commissioner or Officer
Representative of Plastic /Drug /Chemical Manufacturers Association
one expert from the field of Industry
one expert from the field of academic institution
Director , Municipal Administration
Shopkeepers and Street Vendors can register with the Local Body, and provide plastic carry
bags to customers on payment

100. Plastic Waste Management
• Following are few best available for Plastic Waste
Management
• 1.Reduction of Usage
• Through IEC
• Alternate Materials Usage
• Through Penalties
• 2.Re Use
• 3.Recycling

101. Penalties
The fines range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh and up to
five years imprisonment.

103. ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC:-
Metal,
wood,
glass
Bagasse
Bio plastics
Reusable shopping
bags
Plastic additives
Jute
Coconut
bamboo
Milk protein
Chicken feather

104. •

105. Re Use and Recycle
• As per the integrated solid waste management
(ISWM) hierarchy, reuse and recycling of plastic
waste are the preferred methods for managing
plastic wastes after reduction.
• But plastics cannot be recycled indefinitely; each
recycling cycle reduces the strength and utility of
the plastic.
• Energy recovery from plastics shall be
considered when recycling is no longer possible.
• Plastic waste is accepted as fuel in cement kilns;
residence times and temperatures are adequate
to preempt the production of dioxins and furans.

106. Re Use and Recycle-Cont..
• Incineration of plastic wastes for energy
recovery may also be considered under strictly
controlled and monitored conditions.
• Reusing plastic waste to form polymer blended
bitumen roads is an accepted method for final
disposal of plastics in India.
• Landfilling of plastics should be avoided.
• Plasma pyrolysis and production of liquid fuel
from plastic waste are technologies being
tested; however, commercial viability of such
technologies is yet to be proven.

107. Options for Plastic Waste
Management
Polymer blended
bitumen roads
Co-processing in
cement plants
Landfilling
Recycling Incineration
Disposal
Conventional
processing
technology
Plastic waste
management

108. Plastic waste
management - technology

109. Application of
recycled plastic
Use of Plastic Waste for Pavement Blocks :- Hyderabad

110. Application of
recycled plastic
Use of Plastic Waste in Road Construction:- Bangalore &
Jamshedpur (JUSCO)

111. Application of
recycled plastic
Conversion of PET Bottle Waste into Textile Products By
Reliance Industries & Adidas Sports

112. Application of
recycled plastic
Co-Processing of Plastics Waste in Cement Kiln - ACC Cement
Limited (Gagal Cement Works)

113. Application of
recycled plastic
Go Green Initiative By Tetra Pack

114. Application of
recycled plastic
Plastic to Alternate Liquid RDF (Oil)