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Related Concept Videos

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

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The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

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The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.
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Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
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Polymers02:34

Polymers

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
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Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

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Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
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Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

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Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2025

Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies
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Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies

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Plastics matter in the food system.

Joe Yates1, Megan Deeney1, Jane Muncke2

  • 1Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.

Communications Earth & Environment
|March 10, 2025
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Summary

Agriculture and food systems significantly contribute to plastic pollution and are vulnerable to its impacts. Addressing this requires integrated monitoring and policy, like the Global Plastics Treaty, for sustainable food futures.

Keywords:
AgricultureAgroecologyEnvironmental impactPolicySustainability

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Food Systems Analysis
  • Policy Studies

Background:

  • Agriculture and food systems are significant contributors to global plastic pollution.
  • These systems are also highly vulnerable to the multifaceted impacts of plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.
  • The pervasive issue of plastic pollution in food systems is underrepresented in global policy and scientific monitoring efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical opportunity presented by the United Nations-led Global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution across the entire lifecycle.
  • To propose aspirational indicators for enhanced monitoring of plastics within food systems.
  • To advocate for interdisciplinary research and cross-sectoral collaboration to manage plastic pollution impacts on food systems.

Main Methods:

  • Development of aspirational indicators for monitoring food system plastics, categorized into four key areas: plastic polymers and chemicals, land use, trade and waste, and environmental and human health.
  • Review of current scientific discourse and policy agendas concerning plastic pollution in food systems.
  • Call for interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Main Results:

  • Identification of four key areas for monitoring food system plastics: polymers/chemicals, land use, trade/waste, and health.
  • Emphasis on the Global Plastics Treaty as a crucial platform for addressing plastic pollution in food systems.
  • Recognition of the need for harmonized evidence bases for tracking plastics and chemicals.

Conclusions:

  • The Global Plastics Treaty offers a vital opportunity to integrate plastic pollution management into sustainable and resilient food systems.
  • Establishing comprehensive monitoring indicators across specified domains is essential for effective policy and research.
  • Urgent, collaborative, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral action is required to mitigate the systemic risks of plastic pollution to biodiversity, climate, food security, and human health.