Prepare a chart on plastic boon …

• We prefer using plastic materials for storing a food item, water, milk, pickles, dry food etc., as plastic containers seem most convenient to use. This is due to the following properties of plastics:

1. Plastic is non-reactive: Unlike iron, plastics do not corrode easily. It does not react with air, water or any chemical so it is safe to store many kinds of materials including chemicals.
2. Plastic is light, strong and durable: Plastics have low density so they are lighter than metals. They also have good strength and are durable. It is because of the low price, easy availability, lightweight, corrosive resistant, the plastic containers are preferred for making household articles.
3. Plastics are poor conductors: Plastics are poor conductors of heat and electricity. That is why electrical wires have plastic covering, and handles of screw drivers are made of plastic.

Plastics and the Environment: When we go to the market, we usually get things wrapped in plastic or packed in polythene bags. That is why plastic waste keeps getting accumulated in our homes. A material which gets decomposed through natural processes, such as action by bacteria, is called biodegradable. A material which is not easily decomposed by natural processes is termed non-biodegradable.

Disposal of plastic is a major problem because

1. The articles made of plastics are non-biodegradable as they do not decompose easily.
2.  The burning of plastic wastes gives out harmful gases which pollute the air.