Second draft of summary for “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea”, thesis statement and my response

The article “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea” reported by Priscilla Goy on Straits Times(January 11, 2016) states that today, scientists have discovered a sustainable recycling method to transform plastic waste through chemical reaction. Company BlueRen increases the plastic being recycled and reduces usage of cement by integrating of carbon material. The uses of carbon nanotubes have been restricted because it is expensive and emits pollutant but BlueRen’s technology uses a “unique mineral like catalyst, which is ecologically-safe”(2016). Co-founder Wong Chui Ling mentioned “conversion of plastic waste into carbon nanotubes”(2016) is not practical. Their aim is to minimise plastic waste and commercialise the technology that has been available. BlueRen’s technology is ongoing, but its results seem favourable. According to In “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea”(2016), Muthiah claimed to change the idea of recycling to upcycling, turning a profitless input to a profitable output.

Personally, I felt that turning plastic waste into carbon nanotube is beneficial as it converts low value waste to high value product and it help minimise the load of solid wastes on the environment as BlueRen claimed to increase the percent yield of plastic being recycled. However, whether the future is promising, it is unsure. Although, BlueRen found an eco-friendly method by using catalyst as mineral to produce carbon nanotube, other manufacturers might not practice the same.

Usually carbon nanotubes are formed by flammable hydrocarbon gas with addition of other significant secondary products that are damaging to not only the environment but as well as human health. One of the negative impact it has on the environment is it hinders the growth of algae. It may not a problem now as currently, carbon nanotubes are expensive and they are more unknown effects yet to be discovered. But in time to come, when researchers go in depth to improve on the process of making carbon nanotube, the demand of carbon nanotubes might increase. The high production of carbon nanotubes will then produce a layer which prevent sunlight from reaching the algae, the poor condition will force the algae to cluster and fight for light and room. The downside of carbon nanotubes on the environment may not be a huge problem but we should never neglect any possible consequences.

As for the reason why carbon nanotubes are harmful to human health is because breathing in carbon nanotubes in a long run is equivalent to breathing in asbestos a kind of mineral in fibre which is cancerous, especially to our lungs. This may not affect the users of carbon nanotubes but it will put the workers who are manufacturing the carbon nanotubes in serious health danger. The tiny asbestos is able enter through their lungs and slowly destroy their body cells. Many researchers have been trying to focus on the potential risk of carbon nanotubes but up till today, it seems that no articles have assure that there are more advantages in using carbon nanotube than disadvantages. Carbon nanotubes are strong, light and able to conduct electricity, and it has been able to substitute and strengthen many products but the effects of asbestos should be emphasise on.

In conclusion, the idea of converting waste to a profitable product may have caught the attention of many but one should always weight out the pros and cons. People should be more aware of the impact carbon nanotubes has on the environment and human health instead of only concentrating on how carbon nanotubes helped in minimising plastic waste.