Effect of Paper and Plastic Products on the Environment

Subjective:
Paper vs Plastic is still a debate which has no clear solution to it. This debate has been longing for over generations with people having multiple views and opinions on the same. I personally feel that both these materials are equally harmful to our environment but if I had to choose one over the other than my choice would be using paper instead
of plastic.

By our basic understanding of how paper is made we know that it requires the cutting down of forest trees for their barks and then further bleaching the substance to give it the plain white colour. Plastics are made by the polymerization reaction of chemicals that are chemically bonded very strongly, making it difficult to break these bonds.

Plastics remain in our environment, they are persistent and non-biodegradable which leads to the accumulation of plastic in landfill sites in multiple places in our world. It takes millions of years for plastic to be degraded in the soil. They can be reused but not recycled.
On the other hand, paper is a substance which can be reused and recycled into forming other important substances like manure. In my opinion, I feel paper is more environmentally friendly in terms of the toxicity.
Paper is biodegradable which means it can be attacked by microorganisms and made less harmful. Paper can be reused over and over again so it makes paper a better option when considered in terms of the ill- effects it has towards the environment.
But when talking about the durability somewhere paper lacks in this aspect which makes them less useful and reliable. For example plastic bags are more stronger and durable but the amount of strength paper bags is very less when both are compared. Thus the usage of plastic bags are seen more often than paper bags.

I personally as an individual would prefer using paper bags than compared to plastics. I am drawing this conclusion from a very personal experience which happened when I first went for scuba diving in Bali. The situation of the water was disastrous, there was plastic everywhere. Plastics affects the marine organisms the most, they enter the fish’s gills and fins making it difficult for them to survive. Leading to the bioaccumulation of plastic in the body of the fish. This fish when consumed by humans is passed into the food chains affecting our lives and health conditions. Whereas paper might have its own cons like increase in deforestation because of the cutting down of trees and many more.
In conclusion, I would say that in my view I think it would be less toxic to the environment if we use paper-made things than compared to plastic which is a far worse substance.

OBJECTIVE:

Introduction

The paper vs plastic decision remains a critical outstanding issue in environmental management, the economy, and consumer trends. As the problem of plastic leakages and deforestation becomes alarming, it is appropriate to appreciate the environmental footprint of both materials during their life cycle. Paper shall have merits in terms of biodegradability and source being renewable, while plastic shall be richer in terms of durability and lesser carbon footprint when being processed. To address these factors an excellent level of analysis is needed to find a proper equilibrium and orient towards a more sustainable choice of materials for packaging. Recent research has reviewed the impacts of these materials on not only the environment but also the consumers’ preferences and choices stressing the importance of obtaining proper and more informed decisions given the current increased focus on environmental issues [1].
Paper and plastic in today’s society: An evaluation

As the issue of sustainability grows more significant, paper and plastic remain two traditional yet provoked choices between functionality and eco-friendliness. Proof that paper, derived from renewable resources, is in support of conservationism is the fact that paper is biodegradable and can also be recycled. It fosters good recycling incidences that enable the creation of a circular economy. However, due to its endurance, plastics cannot be avoided in many uses such as food containers and carriage but due to this endurance, plastics disturb our ecosystems in many ways. Knowledge of these effects may contribute to changing the consumption vectors toward these materials, as supported by other studies that examine the use and changing consumer opinions and attitudes toward materials [2].
For instance, studies have found that consumers have a preference for the usage of paper products whenever they are told about the benefits of paper on the environment. Yet, the utility of this product often makes people keep using plastic in many industries, as it is not easy to change our preferences. Such a contrast underlines the increasing discussion of 2 RA as to the largely interchangeable parts of these materials within everyday life, which calls for further investigation of their importance in the modern world of ER [3].
Environmental Impact

Material selection is one of the great environmental influencers, with involvement spanning the function life cycle. Although paper is generally considered sustainable because it is biodegradable it has a strong negative impact on the environment such as causing deforestation and using a lot of water during its manufacturing. Currently, the pulp and paper industry is one of the biggest users of water; hence, the sustainability impact of this sector cannot be overemphasized [4]. On the other hand, plastic constitutes in conquerable waste management issues in society. The United States produces 35.6 million TPA of plastic waste which is recycled at only 9.5%, thereby polluting ecosystems. This inefficiency has led to increased research and policy focus on innovative approaches including recycling of plastics to usable goods including in the construction of road construction asphalt – proof of resource recovery [5].

However, the environmental cost of the paper cannot be overlooked. Most of the companies that seek to obtain wood pulp normally conduct deforestation processes that help them gain that, and many times this is achieved at the expense of the natural habitat and if the process is not controlled some species are even facing the risk of extinction[6]. Further, while paper products are usually referenced as biodegradable, the environmental conditions necessary for biodegradation—namely, appropriate moisture and microbial action are lacking in most landfills. Thus, the idea that paper is better than plastic, as far as the environment is concerned, doesn’t seem this open and shut, [7] either.

Effect of Paper and Plastic Products on the Environment

When it comes to evaluating the environmental effects tied to paper and plastic making it becomes possible to make comparisons based on the carbon footprints of these products in their different aspects of use. Paper production for instance while being derived from renewable resources such as trees consumes a lot of water and energy in production. New research indicates that paper has a high water intensity that can go up to 24000 l/t of paper produced [8]. This is sharply compared to the resource consumption by plastic, the primary feedstock of which is fossil fuel but which uses far less water in the manufacturing process for every unit of environmental cost.

However, the comparison of the ecological footprints has to take into consideration end of life also. Some studies may suggest paper has more sustainable aspects at first glance, and pressures regarding the variable quick impacts of plastic, especially in terms of its endurance in ecosystems and in pollution, make use of this material questionable [9]. For instance, a pursuit of the plastic bag will last for hundreds of years in the environment and a paper bag may disintegrate within weeks if dumped appropriately. Still, if such paper products reach the landfills, they undergo anaerobic conditions which slow down their decomposition and release methane powerful greenhouse gas [10]. Hence, to reduce harm when making decisions on which materials to use it is important to focus on sustainability and recyclability for example noted from the practice of tackling recycling of multi-layered plastics [11].

New analyses have also suggested that there is a factor of segmentation involving consumer perception that determines the demand value for sustainability. Studying consumer behaviour it is notable that people when they prioritize the environment choose paper instead of plastic. However, many remain ignorant with regard to the processes remaining involved and hence more awareness in regard to the environmental impacts of both materials [12].
Economic Considerations

Regardless of the effects that option between paper and plastic may have on the environment, the factors that stand out most crucial for companies and individuals are economic factors. Evaluating the paper products indicates that the cost of production may be higher because raw materials and production procedures demand a lot of workforce and energy as compared to plastic. It means that costs are pushed towards plastic sometimes making it more attractive for those manufacturers who want to save money at the cost of a small percentage of their profit margin. Nevertheless, new market changes and consumers’ preference towards sustainable consumption have led some firms to revisit some of these traditional economic theories.

Environmental responsibility in purchasing has gained currency thus creating room for responsible businesses in their economic activities to meet the changing face of the market. Research evidence reveals that consumers are more willing to pay a higher amount for green products and thus presently many firms are looking for other flexible packing materials than plastic [13]. It also clearly demonstrates the innovation chance for the business world, and the chance to revitalize a circular economy which is to know as the materials to be used are used, and then recycled again.

However, the switch from the use of plastic to paper or any other recycled material involves a lot of analysis of the economic impacts. These activities should be complimented by an equally well-developed infrastructure for the management and recycling of waste. For instance, the costs expenses incurred in collection, sorting and processing the paper that will undergo the recycling process might again be costly thus reducing the overall gain that accrues from the process [14]. This means that in order to refine stakeholders’ awareness of the potential economic gains and losses connected with the sustainable use of both paper and plastic products, the cost-benefit ratio analysis must account for all factors impacting the economic feasibility of taking an environmental conservation action, including the potential future benefits of environmental cost savings.
Recycling:

Paper can be recycled more easily and multiple times when compared to plastics. It is pulped, cleaned and reformed into new paper products. However the quality of recycled paper is lower than normal paper due to the presence of impurities and fibers. There are limitations to recycling for example contamination of food stains.

Plastic recycling involves sorting, cleaning and melting plastic waste to create new plastic products. Not all types of plastics are recyclable and the process can vary depending on the type of plastic. It is often hindered by contamination, limited infrastructure and the difficulty in separating different types of plastic.

Technology advancement and its future trends

Questions tend to arise concerning the state and the developments of the technologies that are used in the production of these materials and trends in their usage. Due to such an invention, material science has been able to come up with biodegradable plastics which are as convenient as regular plastics, but environmentally friendly. These unique materials are intended to degrade faster thus derisking the impact of plastic products on the environment in the future [21].

Moreover, the emergence of biodegradable or partly biodegradable, fully compostable bioplastics based on renewable raw materials, similar to chemical application, corn starch, or sugarcane, opens the possibility of compromising between paper and plastic. The evidence shows that bioplastics are equally efficient as conventional plastics in terms of performance, thereby contributing less to carbon emissions and utilizing less fossil fuel [22]. However, social doubts still persist over their termination and end-of-life.

Solutions for the impact on environment:

The development of biodegradable plastic will be a great boom to the environment as they can decompose naturally in the environment, reducing pollution and waste. The growing regulations of single-use bags has also seen a significant difference in the environmental impact plastics have.

Furthermore the use of trees like bamboos and coconut leaves to make paper which are easily biodegradable will be a better alternative. Also using electronic ink which involves the technology that can be used to create paper-like displays that can be written on and erased but doesn’t actually use paper.

Conclusion

Therefore, the paper versus plastic debate can be viewed along environmental, economic, cultural and regulatory perspectives. Paper products have some benefits in biodegradability and renewability in their raw materials but some drawbacks with regard to resource use and disposal. On the other hand, the use of plastic offers convenience and longevity but has catastrophic effects on ecology.

To address such challenges it is about informing the consumer about proper decision-making where sustainable living and consumption are part of the decision-making process. In this way, by making consumers more aware, supporting technological innovations and adopting the right policies, stakeholders can help to build a more sustainable world. In the long run, all the decisions being made today will affect the environment, society and the economy, hence the reason why sustainable practice should be embraced when seeking to have a healthier environment.




















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