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The Biodegradability of Synthetic Polymers

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Polymers and Ecological Problems

Part of the book series: Polymer Science and Technology ((POLS,volume 3))

Abstract

Of the large number of plastics produced commercially in this country, three account for about 90% of the plastic found in municipal waste. [1] These three are poly(ethylene) at 38%, poly-(vinyl chloride) at 31% and poly(styrene) at 21%. Because these three plastics make up the bulk of packaging plastics, it was felt that they should be the focus of attention of research and development pertaining to the disposability or recycling of plastic waste.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Union Carbide Corporation, River Road, Bound Brook, New Jersey, 08805, USA

    J. E. Potts, R. A. Clendinning, W. B. Ackart & W. D. Niegisch

Authors
  1. J. E. Potts
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  2. R. A. Clendinning
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  3. W. B. Ackart
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  4. W. D. Niegisch
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    James Guillet

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© 1973 Plenum Press, New York

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Potts, J.E., Clendinning, R.A., Ackart, W.B., Niegisch, W.D. (1973). The Biodegradability of Synthetic Polymers. In: Guillet, J. (eds) Polymers and Ecological Problems. Polymer Science and Technology, vol 3. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0871-3_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-0871-3_4

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-0873-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-0871-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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