Synthetic Polymers: Facing the Inevitable Environmental Dilemma

Synthetic plastics, whose annual industrial production has surged from 2 million tons in 1950 to nearly 400 million tons in 2022, have become integral to our daily lives, playing pivotal roles in packaging, construction, and mobility. Lacking inherent degradability, these plastics, if not managed properly at the end of their lifecycle, persist in the environment, leading to plastic pollution in various forms—macro-debris, microplastics, and even nanoplastics. This situation presents a pressing dilemma: should industrial production of plastics be curtailed to mitigate environmental impacts, or should we continue to support the development of these synthetic materials, which are indispensable for achieving certain sustainable development goals? Following this line of inquiry into the plastics dilemma, this presentation will shed light on the unforeseen benefits of plastics in ensuring access to safe drinking water, securing the food chain, driving energy transition, and advancing medical and public health domains. It will become apparent that while recycling pathways hold promise for managing plastic waste, academia advocates for a gradual shift in the current production paradigm. This shift involves embracing more renewable resources and energy sources, and drawing inspiration from nature with an eco-design ethos.