Page 11 - AJWEP-v22i3

Standardising plastic terminology

raw form, unprocessed styrene or butadiene polymers of polymers, additives, and processing methods
remain polymers, not plastics. The same logic applies result in vastly different materials and environmental
to materials, such as polyurethane, used in mattresses behaviors. 41,41,52,59-64
and footwear: Only when processed with additives and This understanding positions plastics as engineered
cured do they qualify as plastics. 49-51 Once plastics are composites, not simply as polymers. Recognizing
cured through heat, UV exposure, or ambient conditions, this complexity is essential for advancing accurate
reprocessing becomes impractical as they transition into classifications, improving pollution diagnostics, and
composites. 52 developing targeted mitigation strategies.
Furthermore, coatings and paints (e.g., on vehicles, In conclusion, the continued misuse and
ships, and buildings) are classified as plastics due oversimplification of the term “plastic” undermine
to their polymer-based formulations (e.g., alkyds, sustainable solutions. Existing definitions often fail
acrylics, epoxies, and polyvinylidene fluorides) and to reflect the scientific complexity of modern plastic
the inclusion of additives. These materials undergo materials, either by being too narrow to capture
crosslinking and adhere to substrates, contributing emerging formulations or too broad to be practically
to plastic pollution in terrestrial, atmospheric, and applicable. Addressing this ambiguity is essential for
aquatic environments. 2,41,43,46,53 Similarly, textiles, wigs, refining scientific discourse, guiding environmental
synthetic eyelashes, footwear, and similar consumer policy, and supporting more effective communication
products, often formulated from polymer-based fibers and innovation in sustainability research.
with functional additives, are effectively plastics. 3
Despite their widespread utility and contributions 5. Real-world repercussions of terminology
to modern life, plastics are now at the center of inconsistency: Complexity in plastic pollution
3
environmental concern due to their persistent pollution classification
and complex degradation behaviour. 2,3,54 An accessible
analogy can be drawn from cake baking (Figure 3):
Flour serves as the base (analogous to polymers), while Inconsistent terminology surrounding polymers,
ingredients, such as eggs, fat, and sugar (additives) macromolecules, and plastics presents substantial
determine the structure, texture, and taste. 55,56 Similarly, environmental, regulatory, and ethical challenges.
polymers are the base material in plastics, and additives Plastics, which are engineered polymer-based materials,
define performance, form, and application. 41,57,58 The are integral to modern society, with applications ranging
intricacy of cake chemistry reflects the multifactorial from electronics and electrical insulation to medical
nature of plastic formulation: Different combinations devices, such as syringes and catheters. However,
their widespread use is paralleled by their pervasive
environmental footprint, including macro-, micro-,
and nano-plastics that pose a growing threat to global
ecosystems and sustainability efforts. 3,65-68 Since 1950,
plastic production has exceeded seven billion metric
tons, spurring movements to ban single-use plastics,
3
promote bio-based alternatives, and accelerate circular
economy strategies. 69-75
Plastic pollution encompasses the intentional or
unintentional release of plastic debris, often laden
with additives, into ecosystems, where it interacts with
2,3
Figure 3. Cake illustration correlating the complex environmental components to cause harm. However,
nature of plastics quantifying this pollution remains difficult. For instance,
Abbreviations: HDPE: High-density polyethylene; textile fibers, both synthetic (e.g., polyester, nylon) and
LDPE: Low-density polyethylene; PET: Polyethylene natural (e.g., cotton, silk), release countless microfibers
terephthalate; PP: Polypropylene; PS: Polystyrene; during wearing and washing, yet the environmental
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride. Image produced by the impact of these emissions remains largely unmeasured
authors. Created with https://pixlr.com/express/ due to the absence of comprehensive data on clothing
and MS PowerPoint; 2025; Austine Ofondu Chinomso production. 3,76,77 In addition, the export of unwanted
Iroegbu garments and electronics, often labeled as second-hand

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 5 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025200158