ARE POLYMERS BEING UNDERPLAYED FOR FEAR OF SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

Polymers find a very special place in our life and day to day activities. In fact, it will not be an overstatement if we emphasize that they are now an essential and fundamentally needed part of our everyday living, and the very thought of replacing the same with any other alternative leaves even the most ingenious, innovative and dexterous scientist mentally disabled, wondering how to run their scientific skills further. Polymers as we know are macromolecules extremely long repetitive molecules with n number of repetition. In fact, they have existed in our lives since the primitive era. The natural polymer like DNA, proteins, cellulose which have been there since human birth, are also polymers. People have been using polymers even though polymers of natural origins since a very long time or time immemorial. Environmental sustainability issues of synthetic polymers have always been a burning issue for environmentalists. The innovation of Green product, or environmentally sustainable polymers are being recognized as the hope for better quality of life. Green product innovation by interaction between innovation and sustainability has become a strategic priority for all. Though the introduction of synthetic polymers in our everyday use has eased out various activities in human life, but the sustainability issue of non biodegradability later rang the alarm bell for many environmental scientists. The most worthwhile option for dealing such issues sagaciously would be developing newer technologies either involving the usage of natural polymers, stringently following the green chemistry laws while production, or newer techniques of biodegradability and recycling may be implemented which can be tested for marketplace success. Keywords: Polymers, sustainability, biopolymers, environment, technology, plastics, biodegradability.