June 8, 2007, Arlington, Texas. – How do you know how much is too much? Ever since the introduction of plastics to society, the so-called guardians of the environment have waged war after another to make these materials come out as villains to the sustainability of the environment. It was somehow spread throughout that the success of plastics is also the slow demise of nature.

With so much talk going around, it is not surprising therefore, that there would be misconceptions from the facts that we take for granted. As plastics have become vital to our lives, it is thus appropriate that we vindicate it from the qualities that made plastics as miracle workers for most people.

For the most part, plastics have become integral helpers in preserving many of our nature’s resources. Plastics can be made into very thin films that the packaging industry has gotten a lot of benefits from. In fact, most packagers today give so much importance by increasing their use to allow even substitution for other packaging materials. As such, many packaging companies have greatly reduced the weight and volume, which eventually decreases the cost for the same amount of delivered product.

Packaging is also very essential to the prevailing standard of living in every country. Moreover, economies have been developed due to the existence of these plastics to support modern society. If not for plastics, spoilage rates of food and resources can amount to a staggering 50%. This would mean so much trash that will definitely require massive disposal. Wastage also equals to increased energy consumption by over 200%, and overall costs in the packaging industry by 210%.

This overwhelming data can be practically seen in most of the developing countries. The more pronounced the rate of spoilage, the less likely that a country will develop.

Plastics are also important in promoting public health and a fit population. With the prevalence of a sophisticated packaging system in countries like the United States, less can be seen of food contamination and the amount of wastage greatly decreased.

And contrary to the perceived disadvantage of having plastics in the environment, they do meet the criteria for a well and fit landfill environment. As landfills are made to carry trash and waste, governments make it their utmost priority that degradation occur as little as possible. It is a fact that there are serious negative consequences of having waste degradation in the environment. This includes toxic liquid waste which is produced in a landfill when wastes decompose.

But there really is such a thing as too much. Going back to our first question, how do you know how much is too much? Too much plastic in the environment may also cause degradation of the environment too soon. However, an informed people can make better decisions and judgments that will help in preserving the environment that we know and love.

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