The Dark Side of Black Plastics
The black color in plastics results from incorporating carbon black, a type of soot generated from the incomplete burning of coal, petroleum, or organic materials. Carbon black is utilized in plastics as a reinforcing agent, similar to its common application in tire manufacturing. An additional advantage is that carbon black effectively absorbs ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to the degradation of plastics.
Now let’s discuss the issues. Carbon black is composed of various compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known for their carcinogenic characteristics. This has prompted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify carbon black as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
The clarity regarding carbon black in containers used for various prepared foods, including microwaveable items, remains uncertain. This is primarily because the carbon black is embedded within the plastic matrix and is unlikely to leach out in substantial quantities. Take-out foods prefer black containers due to their cost-effectiveness and enhanced visual appeal compared to clear alternatives.
the biggest problem with black plastics
The biggest problem with black plastics seems to be the difficulty they pose in recycling. In theory, virtually all plastics can be recycled, but they require different technologies meaning that separation becomes critical.
Modern recycling facilities are equipped with systems that shine infrared light on plastics and identify them by the specific wavelengths that are reflected. Carbon black absorbs infrared radiation and prevents the light from reaching the plastic. Consequently, the particular polymers present in black plastics are not easily identifiable, leading to their disposal in landfills or incinerators rather than being recycled into pellets for new product manufacturing. This is a significant concern, as black plastic accounts for approximately 15% of total plastic waste.
Since companies know that most black plastic ends up in landfills, they are less likely to use plastics that are more expensive because they are recyclable.
There is a notable lack of concern regarding the inclusion of substances prohibited in plastics intended for recycling. For instance, plastic waste from electronic devices, like computer casings, is not suitable for recycling into marketable products due to the presence of potentially harmful flame retardants, heavy metals, and antistatic agents.
Nevertheless, this type of electronic waste can still be utilized to manufacture items that ultimately go to a landfill. As a result, black plastic food containers may harbor substances that are undesirable in our food. Manufacturers transitioning to clear plastic containers, which can be sorted more easily and are more suitable for recycling, would represent a positive change. It seems that the section in my lecture on plastics that deals with pitfalls gets longer every year. I have included a question mark in the title.
Miracle Materials? I am now more hesitant to purchase prepared foods packaged in black plastic containers, and I make an effort to avoid single-use plastic products. However, I still appreciate the numerous types of plastics that enhance our lives and provide convenience.
Breakthrough Discovery of Plastic: n-times of Recycling without loss of performance
In shadows deep where plastics lie,
What seemed so great now makes us sigh.
Black and shiny, sleek and bold,
Yet hides the damage it has sold.
From busy streets to quiet sands,
It piles up in our lands,
A sea of black, a heavyweight,
A sign of how we rushed our fate.
The creatures trapped in tangled threads,
Their lives are lost in plastic spreads.
The oceans cry with silent pain,
As plastic drifts and stays, unclaimed.
But in this dark, there’s hope to find,
A chance to change, to be more kind.
Let’s seek a way that’s clean and true,
To leave this plastic dark behind and renew.
