Entry #4 : Water Soluble Plastic Bag.

UTP Reseachers Produce Water Soluble Plastic Bag

Source: Utusan Malaysia Online (www.utusan.com.my)

Published 3rd September 2008

Another Malaysian product that can be proud of, Greenphylic, a soluble plastic bag. Invented by a group of researchers in Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). It will be patented soon and Petronas will take the lead to produce it replacing other plastic bags usage in the world. It ‘s main substance is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), which has excellent film forming, emulsifying and adhesive properties. It is also resistant to oil, grease and solvent. It is odorless and nontoxic. It has high tensile strength and flexibility, as well as high oxygen and aroma barrier properties. However these properties are dependent on humidity, in other words, with higher humidity more water is absorbed. The water, which acts as a plasticizer, will then reduce its tensile strength, but increase its elongation and tear strength. PVA is fully degradable and is a quick dissolver. PVA has a melting point of 230°C and 180–190°C for the fully hydrolysed and partially hydrolysed grades. It decomposes rapidly above 200°C as it can undergo pyrolysis at high temperatures. PVA is an atatic material but exhibits crystallinity as the hydroxyl groups are small enough to fit into the lattice without disrupting it. (Source: wikipedia.com)

From the article, the plastic bags will dissolved in water after some period so our waste will be less of plastics. The Greenphylic has been tested for melting point, stress and tension test and water solubility test. By using these plastic bags, we will save cost and time on waste management. In terms of environmental impact, there will be a reduce number in the animal death that cause by plastic bag choking. We often read the news, marine life for example turtles were dead because of choke by plastic bags, thrown by tourists at some places. Though the number is small but by saving their life will keep the population from decreasing. Drainage system also can be improved since the plastic bags will dissolve in water, there will be no more blockage, so the waste water or river water will not spill out and cause flood.

But as for me, recycle bag such as what Jaya Jusco supermarket do is more convenient because we can recycle the bag and can be use many times compare to this plastic bag. By using the recycle bag, more cost can be saved and obviously our environment can be saved as well.

Entry #3: Effects of Bottled Water

Article: The Bottled Water Industry and Its Effect on the Environment

Published: 27 November 2006

Bottled water can make our life easier but have we ever think the bad effects that they can cause to us and the environment. From the article and other articles I’ve read, I can conclude that bottled water cause more bad effects than good effects. Those effects are:

Effect to human.

· By reusing plastic bottles further compromises the quality of the water, due to the fact that more and more phthalate leaches its way into the water as the bottle gets older.

Effects to environment.

· One obvious harm is that of water usage. To make the plastic, it takes at least twice the final amount of water produced (so, for instance, three liters of fresh water are needed to produce one liter of bottled water). That probably adds little to overall fresh-water usage, but the effect on local water sources can be significant (especially depleting groundwater levels and decreasing the downstream water supply).

· The effects on pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions, are decidedly harmful. Plastic is made from oil; an estimated 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide were generated in 2006 for the production of plastic for bottled water. Then, too, a significant amount fossil fuels and more carbon dioxide is generated in transporting the bottles to the water source, and then transporting the bottled water to stores—especially if the water is obtained overseas. And of course, this further increases our country’s demand for fossil fuels.


· Bottled water produces an incredible amount of solid waste. According to one estimate, nearly 90% of bottles are not recycled. And plastic does not biodegrade, ending up in increasingly over-burdened landfills.

In short, the effects of bottled water should really make us think about what we're putting into our bodies. Finally, for those who wish to become more environmentally friendly or to fight global warming, eliminating bottled-water use is a relatively easy way to shrink one’s “carbon footprint” and other damage to the environment.

p/s: To Dr Amran, sorry for the late entry, i forgot...;)