Students, Classroom Earn Cash Awards In Annual Essay Contest by Amanda York Staff Writer
OVHS freshman Andrew Byrum is shown after receiving the award certificate for placing THIRD in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) “Wonders of Plastics” essay contest.
Ms. Tina Hayden’s class received quite a surprise on Friday, April 22. Naomi Lacy and Andrew Byrum, for the first time, found out they had finished second and third, respectively, in the 18th annual Society of Plastics Engineers ‘Wonders of Plastics’ essay contest. The two freshmen were accompanied by their parents while receiving the news and received a certificate and cash awards not only for themselves but for Ms. Hayden’s class as well.
“Wonders of Plastics” essay contest. Shown above, left to right, are: SPE President Dan Stratton; SPE Education Chair Raymond G. Amos, Jr.; Andrew’s father Tom Byrum; Andrew Byrum; his mother Carole Byrum; OVHS teacher Tina Hayden; and Owen Valley High School Interim Assistant Principal Rhonda Schafer.
Plastics: The Making and Recycling by Andrew Byrum
In today’s world, life without plastics is almost not possible. Whether people are aware of it or not, plastics have become a part of everyday life. Plastics versatility allows it to be used in everything from car parts to doll parts and from soft drink bottles to the fridges that they are stored in. Such variations in its applications contribute to our wellbeing, safety and peace of mind.
Plastics are polymers. The simplest definition of a polymer is something made up of many units. Polymers are a cable of molecules. Each connection of the cable is usually made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, or silicon. To make the cable, many links are hooked together. To create polymers, oil and other products are heated under controllably and divided into smaller molecules called monomers. These monomers are the building blocks for polymers. Different combinations of monomers produce plastic resins with different characteristics, such as strength or molding capability. Plastics can be divided in to two major categories: thermoses and thermoplastics. A thermos is a polymer that sets irreversibly when heated. They are useful for their durability and strength, and are therefore used primarily in automobiles and construction applications. Other uses are adhesives, inks, and coatings. A thermoplastic is a polymer in which the molecules are held together by weak bonds, creating plastics that soften when exposed to heat and return to original condition at room temperature.
Thermoplastics can easily be shaped and molded into products such as milk jugs, floor coverings, credit cards, and carpet fibers. Plastic resins are processed in several ways. Including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and rotational molding. All of these processes involve using heat and pressure to form plastic resin into useful products, such as containers or plastic film.
After the plastics are made and used they are either recycled or taken to the dump. The more environmental healthy way is to recycle them. Plastics are usually collected from curbside recycling bins or drop-off sites. Then they are taken to a factory where they are sorted, washed, dried, melted, and then made into tiny pellets. Then the pellets are shipped off to manufacturers and made into new products. Some of these products are a mix between old and new plastics and some are just made from recycled plastics. Plastic bottles and plastic tubs are some examples.
Plastics are recycled for both economic and environmental reasons. Recycling of plastics has the benefit of decreasing the amount of used plastics that end up in landfills. Recycling provides an environmentally friendly source for making new products and substitutes recycled materials for new plastic. With increased plastics recycling, fewer natural resources need to be extracted to produce raw plastic. Producing new plastic products from recycled materials uses less energy than making products from raw materials. When recycled material is substituted for raw material, greenhouse gas emissions from production of plastics are significantly reduced.
Plastics are an invention in everyone’s lives if we didn’t have today life as it is right now would not be the same. In the process of making plastics it takes many materials, and also emits harmful gases into the air. When people get involved in recycling, the landfills, and the environment will all be greatly improved. So take the time to recycle some plastic and America will truly be a beautiful place to live.
