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

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According to Priscilla Goy (2016), “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea” (The Straits Times) states that scientists have discovered a sustainable recycling method to transform plastic waste into carbon nanotubes-tiny cylinders of carbon atoms. Carbon nanotubes increased the percentage of plastics being recycled and decreased the use of cement. However, it has been expensive and restricted as the procedure emits pollutant but BlueRen’s eco-friendly technology uses a “unique mineral like catalyst”, Goy (2016). BlueRen’s aim is to minimise plastic waste and commercialise the technology they worked on. Their technology is in the process, but it showed great potential. “Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea,” according to Muthiah (2016), co-founder of BlueRen 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. However, whether the future is promising, it is unsure. Despite their method being eco-friendly, there are still impacts on the environment and human health that many researchers foresee.

Usually carbon nanotubes are formed by flammable hydrocarbon gas with a mixture of other significant secondary products that are damaging to the environment and human health. According to Jorn van Dooren(2011),“Carbon nanotubes have unexpected negative impact on environment”, one of the negative impact on the environment is that the high production of carbon nanotubes produced a layer which prevent sunlight from reaching the algae which affects the growth of algae. According to “Ecological and commercial importance” retrieved from “https://www.britannica.com/science/algae/Ecological-and-commercial-importance”, algae is the root of food chain and used frequently in the preparation of food, hence it is important to look deeper on the impact.

According to  Larry Greenemeier (2008), “ Study Says Carbon Nanotubes as Dangerous as Asbestos”, carbon nanotubes are harmful to human health because inhaling 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 which result the workers who are manufacturing the carbon nanotubes being in serious health danger. The tiny asbestos will enter through their lungs and cause their body cells to deteriorate. Many manufactures are not aware of this as they focus only on the good side of carbon nanotubes. Manufactures should be responsible to raise awareness to their workers. Up till today, researchers are studying on the potential risk of carbon nanotubes and it seems that using carbon nanotube has more disadvantages compared to the advantages.

In conclusion, the idea of converting waste to a profitable product may have caught the attention of many but the researchers should emphasis on conducting more studies on the impact carbon nanotubes has on the environment and human health to benefit the future economically and environmentally.  

References:

Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea(2016), Priscilla Goy  


Making Carbon Nanotubes Safer for the Environment(2013), Mark Crawford


Carbon nanotubes have unexpected negative impact on environment(2011), Jorn van Dooren


Study Says Carbon Nanotubes as Dangerous as Asbestos(2008), Larry Greenemeier

Ecological and commercial importance

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