Q1. Discuss the implications of the scientific issue identified in the articles.
The articles provided discuss the scientific issue of plastics, plastic pollution, and the
ways in which efforts can be made to limit plastic waste and lessen the pollution.
Factors such as social, economic, environmental, and ethical are prominent factors
that occur several times through the course of these articles.
Firstly, there is the social impact of the disposal and use of plastic. The issue with this
is that it has been an ongoing problem; there is awareness and demands for changes
when it comes to the disposal of plastics as well as the use of plastic packaging. This
is because of expenses, and as such there is an economic factor. It is expensive to deal
with plastic; collecting and disposing of it in the oceans, and it does not exactly
minimise the issue of pollution. Article 2 highlights the need for change as it is
estimated there is 8 million tonnes per year. Whilst such a problem is slightly
attacked, the problem does not go away entirely – by having plastics exported from
the UK to South East Asia, there is now another problem there and as such it brings
pollution to the local environment. Article 3 underlines the key cause of pollution –
when plastics are produced from fossil fuels the mining is as a result. An important
social environmental factor is the way in which toxicity can be brough to humans and
the ecosystems as when plastics are releasing chemicals it can liberate the air. Plastics
can only be recycled so many times, and not many is recycled and collected according
to Article 3. Many supermarkets have plastic packaging in which they cannot be
recycled as they are single use – they are used once and then thrown away. All three
articles highlight the never ending need for plastic packaging in many different
sectors; from supermarkets to the food and drink industry. Such a need presents
greater issues within all three factors; environmental, social, and economical.
There have been many attempts at alternatives when it comes to plastics. Having
schemes such as refill and reuse packaging have been implemented to help. Things
such as bags for life aim to tackle the problem as there is no need to continuously buy
plastic bags. However, a social factor can arise from such a solution, customers may
find a lack of conveniency having to carry around a bag, and there’s also the concern
surrounding hygiene. Even if such ‘bags for life’ are used, there is also ways in which
it can be used once and then disposed of as foregrounded in all three articles. A
solution for such can come in the form from supermarkets themselves. Article 3
explores the idea of supermarkets establishing and forming plastic free or even better,
reduced plastic packaging from their suppliers. This is because supermarkets have
more control over plastic packaging when it comes to own brand products. As
supermarkets test out packaging free items; it is still limited to certain products and
The articles provided discuss the scientific issue of plastics, plastic pollution, and the
ways in which efforts can be made to limit plastic waste and lessen the pollution.
Factors such as social, economic, environmental, and ethical are prominent factors
that occur several times through the course of these articles.
Firstly, there is the social impact of the disposal and use of plastic. The issue with this
is that it has been an ongoing problem; there is awareness and demands for changes
when it comes to the disposal of plastics as well as the use of plastic packaging. This
is because of expenses, and as such there is an economic factor. It is expensive to deal
with plastic; collecting and disposing of it in the oceans, and it does not exactly
minimise the issue of pollution. Article 2 highlights the need for change as it is
estimated there is 8 million tonnes per year. Whilst such a problem is slightly
attacked, the problem does not go away entirely – by having plastics exported from
the UK to South East Asia, there is now another problem there and as such it brings
pollution to the local environment. Article 3 underlines the key cause of pollution –
when plastics are produced from fossil fuels the mining is as a result. An important
social environmental factor is the way in which toxicity can be brough to humans and
the ecosystems as when plastics are releasing chemicals it can liberate the air. Plastics
can only be recycled so many times, and not many is recycled and collected according
to Article 3. Many supermarkets have plastic packaging in which they cannot be
recycled as they are single use – they are used once and then thrown away. All three
articles highlight the never ending need for plastic packaging in many different
sectors; from supermarkets to the food and drink industry. Such a need presents
greater issues within all three factors; environmental, social, and economical.
There have been many attempts at alternatives when it comes to plastics. Having
schemes such as refill and reuse packaging have been implemented to help. Things
such as bags for life aim to tackle the problem as there is no need to continuously buy
plastic bags. However, a social factor can arise from such a solution, customers may
find a lack of conveniency having to carry around a bag, and there’s also the concern
surrounding hygiene. Even if such ‘bags for life’ are used, there is also ways in which
it can be used once and then disposed of as foregrounded in all three articles. A
solution for such can come in the form from supermarkets themselves. Article 3
explores the idea of supermarkets establishing and forming plastic free or even better,
reduced plastic packaging from their suppliers. This is because supermarkets have
more control over plastic packaging when it comes to own brand products. As
supermarkets test out packaging free items; it is still limited to certain products and
