Plastic: Friend or Foe

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Published:
February 6, 2020

Malgorzata (Gosia) Chwatko - In recent news headlines, plastic materials—especially single-use items—have been declared an enemy of the planet. Images of plastic waste covering our beaches or hurting animals are commonly showcased.

In recent news headlines, plastic materials—especially single-use items—have been declared an enemy of the planet. Images of plastic waste covering our beaches or hurting animals are commonly showcased. In response to these stories, politicians are arguing for bans on various plastic items, such as bags or straws. With so much bad press, it is easy to express our outrage and wish for a plastic ban or a world with less plastic, but it is harder to remember why we even started using plastic materials and how much plastic has significantly improved our world.



Complete article in Frontiers in Energy Research Newsletter - Winter 2020

Gosia is a member of the Frontiers in Energy Research Newsletter Editorial Board and a member of the Center for Materials for Water and Energy Systems (M-WET).