Take a look around. It is very clear: plastic is part of our everyday life, sometimes visibles sometimes hidden, everywhere, from early in the morning to late at night.
Shall we take a closer look?
The day begins: your alarm and your mobile go off. Their outer casings are mainly made of plastic. Off to the bathroom: the handle of the toothbrush, the outside of the electric razor, the housing of the scales, the shower curtain, the shampoo bottle, the comb, the top of the deodorant spray: all in plastic. And now, into the kitchen for breakfast: the milk bottle for your cereals, the yoghurt pot (whether you drink or eat the contents), the robot to prepare the fruit juice, the fridge door handle, the electric coffee-maker, the bin and the bin bag: all plastic once again. A little music or the radio, the morning news on the telly, to go with the first meal of the day? The hi-fi, the television set, a CD and its case: more plastic. Now, into the car and off to work: bumpers, radiator grill, petrol cap, ventilation grills, seatbelt fasteners, door handles, dashboard, storage trays, sun visor, head-rest, foam in the seats, carpet… Lots of parts are plastic. Under the bonnet, the engine makes its contribution: pipes and hoses, air filter, fan blades, drive belt, membrane in the petrol pump… Still more plastic. A quarter of the 3 000 or so parts going to make a car are in plastic! And so to work…: pen and ruler, keyboard, mouse, PC casing, printer: a lot of plastic all around you. A quick break? Buttons on the drinks machine, cup, water bottle, personal stereo, all made of plastic. For lunch, plastic again: bags, packaging, microwave housing, knobs on the cooker… How about a bit of sport, to end the day on a high note? Football, tennis or squash racket, ping-pong balls, skate-board, mountain bike… whatever your sport, there is every chance that at least part of your equipment contains plastic.
Plastics are omnipresent in our daily life and have become virtually indispensable. |