Glossary
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ABS for short. A common thermoplastic polymer. Lego bricks and Playmobil figures are made of ABS.
Activists People who take a stand on an issue, for example by participating in environmental or other political groups.
Additives Substances that are added during the production of plastic, for example to make it more durable, to color it, or to change its plasticity. WHAT ARE ADDITIVES?
Anticaking agent Substance added to a main product to make it easier to spread. In some cosmetic products, microplastic particles prevent clumping. WHERE IS THE PLASTIC IN COSMETICS?
Aquaculture
Atom Tiny building block that makes up all substances on earth. To date we have identified a little over 115 different atoms, for example hydrogen or carbon. Atoms can join up to form molecules.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD for short. Affected people have difficulty concentrating. The causes are partly genetic, but may also be found in the environment and environmental influences – including certain chemicals such as bisphenol A. HOW CAN I KNOW WHAT’S IN IT?
Bakelite A predecessor of modern plastic, named after its inventor Leo Hendrik Baekeland. WHO INVENTED PLASTIC?
Benzene ringBasic chemical structure found in many plastics. It consists of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring, with a hydrogen atom attached to each. It is drawn as a hexagon.
Bio-based Materials such as plastic if they are at least partly made of substances derived from living organisms such as corn or wood. Because additives are frequently used to make them, however, they are often not biodegradable. WHAT ABOUT »BIO«-BASED PLASTIC?
Biodegradable Substances that can be completely broken down into their basic constituents, for example, water and carbon dioxide, by natural processes. The term is usually misleading when applied to plastic because it can only be degraded under very specific temperature and pressure conditions, and also often leaves behind additives. DOES »BIO«DEGRADABLE PLASTIC EXIST?
Bisphenol A chemical compound, also known as a hormone disruptor. There are various bisphenols. The best-known is bisphenol A, which is found in many plastics and coating varnishes. The substance enters the body with food or through the skin, where it has a similar effect to the hormone estrogen. It interferes with the development of the sexual organs and many other bodily processes. HOW CAN I KNOW WHAT’S IN IT?
Blank Compact mold from which a final product is manufactured. In the case of plastic bottles, the source material is molded into a blank, which is later heated and inflated to form the finished bottle.
Break Free From Plastic A global movement dedicated to a future without single-use plastic and solutions to the plastic crisis, connecting more than 11,000 people and organizations worldwide.
Butane Colorless, flammable, and easy to liquefy. It is commonly found in lighters, but can also be used as a refrigerant.
Campus The grounds of a university, college, or school.
Carbon Chemical element with the symbol C. Without carbon, there would be no life on earth: It is found in all the large molecules that make up living things, and thus also in every plant. When this life dies, the carbon ultimately remains – whether in the form of CO2 after decomposition by microbes, in the soil, in water, or after millions of years as oil, coal, or gas.
Carbon cycle
Cassava Grown in the tropics in South America, Africa, and Asia. The root tuber is a staple food in some countries.
Celluloid The first thermoplastic to be used on a large scale. Its source material is cellulose. Celluloid is used, for example, to make toys, eyeglass frames, and table tennis balls. In the past, cinematic film reels were also made of celluloid.
Cellulose The most important building block of plant cell walls – a carbon compound.
Cellophane Brand name of one of the oldest plastic packaging materials; thin, colorless, transparent film.
CIS countries Countries that belong to the Commonwealth of Independent States. Most of the countries that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union joined together to form the CIS.
Chain reaction
Chloroprene Colorless, pungent liquid, used mainly to make neoprene and gaskets. The liquid and its vapors are toxic and carcinogenic.
Climate Temperature and precipitation over a long period of time. Not to be confused with weather, even though there are similarities. The earth’s climate stands in a complex relationship with many processes; recently, humans have begun to change the climate through the massive production of greenhouse gases. This is mainly due to the use of coal, oil, and gas.
CO2 Abbreviation for the gas carbon dioxide, which makes up 0.03% of the air we breathe. Living beings exhale it, plants absorb it and, with the help of light energy, convert it into sugar and ultimately, for example, into cellulose. A lot of CO2 is emitted when coal, oil, or gas are burned. It then acts as a greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
CO2 equivalent In addition to carbon dioxide, other greenhouse gases such as methane also damage the climate – but to a different extent. Methane remains in the atmosphere for less time than CO2, but heats up the climate much more during this short period. In order to compare greenhouse gases, the effect of CO2 is used as a benchmark. The harmfulness to the climate of the other gases is converted into what are known as CO2 equivalents. This allows us to state total greenhouse gas emissions.
Conventional farming All farms that are not officially certified as organic. In contrast to organic or ecological farming, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are allowed and antibiotics are less regulated in animal husbandry. Conventional farming is very diverse – there are small farms, large farms, ones that rely heavily on technology, and many others that do not.
Cooperative A voluntary association or business organization that is owned by the people who want to run a farm or business together while promoting common values or objectives.
Cracking A chemical process during the production of plastic in which long-chain hydrocarbons are broken down into simpler molecules such as ethylene.
Crystalline in crystal form, consisting of crystals
Distillation Chemical process to extract a specific component from a liquid. To do this, the mixture is heated until it evaporates and then cooled, with the components liquefying at different times.
Dioxins Pollutants produced, for example, when certain types of plastic are incinerated. They are persistent, considered carcinogenic, and can cause the abnormal development of embryos, as well as many other diseases. WHAT REMAINS AFTER INCINERATION?
Disposable The opposite of reusable. Disposable packaging can only be used once.
Elastomers Plastics that can be deformed at room temperature, for example synthetic rubber. HOW DO POLYMERS DIFFER?
Embryo
Emissions The release of certain substances, often pollutants, into the atmosphere.
Entanglement
Ethane Colorless and odorless gas that is an important component of natural gas. It is also used for heating.
Ethylene Colorless gas with a sweet, unpleasant odor. It is used by the plastic industry as a constituent material for many types of plastic.
Final disposal site Place where waste that remains toxic or hazardous for centuries or even longer is stored.
Fleece Pile fabric often woven from plastic fibers and frequently used for functional clothing or blankets.
Formaldehyde Pungent gas that is considered carcinogenic. It is used to produce resins and adhesives, for example for the furniture industry, as well as some plastics.
Fracking Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking for short, is a technical process used to extract gas or oil from subterranean rock. To do this, a liquid mixed with sand and chemicals is injected into the depths. Some of the chemicals are extremely toxic and can enter the groundwater. 59
Free radicals Atoms or molecules that are particularly reactive. In plastic production, they are used to set off a chain reaction in which thousands of individual molecules combine to form long chains.
Global sales The total amount of money a company earns for the products or services it sells. It is not the same as profit, as global sales also include the costs of production, materials, and personnel.
Graphite Small gray platelets of carbon. We know graphite from pencil leads. The mineral is extracted in mines or produced artificially.
Great Pacific Garbage Patch The largest of the oceanic garbage patches. It is located in the North Pacific and covers an area four times the size of Germany. Because much of the plastic soup drifts beneath the ocean surface, its true dimensions are much larger. WHERE IS THE OCEAN TRASH?
Greenhouse gas The atmosphere, i.e., the air that surrounds our planet, consists of many different gases. Some of them are called greenhouse gases. They absorb heat radiation from the earth and radiate it back to the ground. This keeps the earth from getting too cold. The most well-known greenhouse gas is CO2.
Greenwashing To color something green: This is what we call it when companies use advertising to try to make themselves look environmentally friendly, even though it may only be a tiny part of what they do. The idea is to distract from these other things.
HDPE Short for high-density polyethylene. Subgroup of the plastic polyethylene. Called »high-density« because the chains of the large molecule have minimal branching. This makes the plastic rather hard and stiff, in contrast to LDPE. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Hong Kong SAR The metropolis of Hong Kong is located on a peninsula and several islands on the southwest coast of China. SAR stands for »special administrative region.« Almost eight million people live in Hong Kong, which is also home to one of the world’s ten largest container ports.
Humus
Hydrogen The lightest chemical element, abbreviated with the chemical symbol H.
Imports and exports The movement of goods across national borders.
Industrialization Period of human history in which working life and production fundamentally changed: from rural life with farms and trades to factories with wage labor and mass production. In Europe, the process of industrialization began in the late 18th century.
Industry and industry sector Collective term for all factories and businesses involved in the mass production of goods. Sometimes also in reference to a specific industry sector, for example, the plastic or textile industries. Raw materials such as oil or iron are essential to industry processes.
Injection wells Injection wells are wells drilled into deep layers of the earth. Water and chemicals are injected at high pressure into these layers.
Intermolecular forces Weak attractive or repulsive forces that act between atoms, ions, and molecules. They are weaker than chemical bonds, but still influence the properties of a substance.
IQ Intelligence quotient. Indicates the general mental ability of a person. An IQ of 100 is considered the average, while above an IQ of 130 a person is said to be highly gifted. An IQ, however, doesn’t say much about a person. There are many types of intelligence, and not all are covered by IQ.
Isoprene Source material for synthetic rubber, which was one of the first plastics to be used for tire production, among other things.
Landfill Dumping ground for garbage or scrap.
LDPE Soft polyethylene. LD stands for »low-density,« because the molecule chains are strongly branched. See also HDPE. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Legally binding Describes an agreement that has been finalized and can no longer be challenged in court.
Life cycle In this book, we use the term to describe the various stages that a plastic product goes through: from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, transportation, use, and disposal. Environmental and health impacts can be seen throughout the life cycle of plastic. But there are also approaches for solutions everywhere.
Lobbying Representation of interests for a specific group, such as the plastic industry or environmental associations. Objective: to influence policy on behalf of the group.
Macroplastic Pieces of plastic larger than five millimeters. See also Microplastic. WHERE DOES MICROPLASTIC COME FROM?
Major Group for Children and Youth A platform for young people that brings the concerns of children and youth to the UN.
Mariana Trench An approximately 2,500-kilometer-long depression in the Pacific Ocean. It is located about 2,000 kilometers east of the Philippines and at its greatest depth is 11 kilometers below sea level. This is the deepest known point in the ocean.
Melamine A chemical substance from which melamine resins are produced when combined with formaldehyde. They are used as unbreakable plastics for items such as children’s tableware. When exposed to heat of more than 70 degrees Celsius, the basic constituents, which are toxic, can escape into the atmosphere.
Menstrual cup
Methane Flammable, colorless, and odorless gas that acts as a powerful greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. It is produced when plant or animal remains rot without access to air. Much of it escapes from landfills, sewage treatment plants, and factory farming. But the biggest problem for the climate is methane from oil and gas wells: Methane is the most important component of gas, and a great deal of it escapes into the atmosphere during gas production.
Migration In the context of plastic, the term describes the transfer of particles or chemicals from plastic dishes or packaging into food or beverages.
Microplastic Plastic particles that are between five millimeters and one-thousandth of a millimeter in size. Particles or fibers smaller than 0.001 millimeters are called nanoplastics. Primary microplastic is intentionally manufactured, such as beads for skin scrubs. Secondary microplastic is a decomposition product, an example being the abrasion from car tires. WHERE DOES MICROPLASTIC COME FROM?
Molecule Group of at least two atoms held together by chemical bonds. These groups may consist of identical or different atoms. Large molecules may be made up of many tens of thousands of atoms.
Montreal Protocol Agreement signed by 24 countries and the European Community (predecessor to the EU) in 1987. These countries pledged to stop producing or consuming substances that damage the ozone layer. The agreement is considered a positive example of successful cooperation between countries in the field of environmental protection.
Natural resources Raw materials or energy sources occurring in nature that are used by humans. They include oil deposits, metals, sand, water, but also things like arable land, forests, the sun, or the wind.
Neoprene Foamed synthetic rubber. Neoprene provides excellent insulation and is water-repellent, which is why it is also used to make diving and surfing suits.
NGO Non-governmental organization, as opposed to a governmental organization. Used primarily for groups that campaign for environmental and social causes. Examples include Greenpeace or Doctors Without Borders.
NIAS Short for non-intentionally added substances. These substances get into plastic, for example, because chemicals react with each other or are transformed during degradation. They are not always known, even to the companies that produce them, and can migrate from packaging and tableware into food. WHY IS PLASTIC SO DANGEROUS?
Ocean plastic Actually means plastic waste in the ocean, but the term is not clearly defined. Some companies like to claim that their products use recycled ocean plastic. They want to look good, but it’s just greenwashing. Most of the plastic waste is collected from beaches. Most of the plastic in the oceans cannot be retrieved. HOW DO LABELS LIE?
Offshore industry Wind turbines, oil and gas production facilities at sea, as opposed to »onshore« sites. Offshore facilities that are no more than five kilometers from the coast are described as being »near-shore.«
Organic Substances that originate in living nature. Biological waste, for example, is organic. Organic compounds are chemical compounds that contain carbon.
Ozone layer The part of our earth’s atmosphere where the largest amount of the gas ozone is found. It acts as a shield from harmful UV radiation, which causes sunburn on our skin, for example. Some man-made gases cause damage to the ozone layer, which is referred to as the ozone hole.
PA Abbreviation for polyamides, a group of plastics from which extremely tear-resistant fibers are made. Polyamides are also found in many multilayer films used to package meat or cheese.
Pellets Small round or cylindrical pieces of plastic, which in larger quantities are also called granules. Plastic factories supply many types of plastic in this form to companies, which then melt them down and mold them into their products. Pellets are convenient because they can be filled into bags and loaded onto ships. But the tiny pieces easily end up in the environment, many of them in the ocean. HOW ARE PET BOTTLES MADE?
Perlon Brand name of a stable synthetic fiber in the group of plastics known as polyamides ( PA). It became famous as a material for women’s stockings and pantyhose.
Persistent Property of some chemical compounds that degrade very poorly by natural processes and remain in the environment for a very long time.
Pesticide Technical term for substances used primarily in conventional farming to kill organisms that are considered harmful, such as certain insects, fungi, or plants. Many pesticides originate in the oil and gas industry.
PET Abbreviation for polyethylene terephthalate, a mostly transparent plastic in the polyester family. Known as a material for disposable and reusable bottles. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Petition Written complaint to an authority, ministry, or parliament. It can be submitted by individuals or groups.
Petroleum Intermediate product in gasoline production; can be further processed to make fuels or plastics. HOW ARE PET BOTTLES MADE?
Phenol Colorless, solid chemical used in the production of various plastics.
Photographic paper Paper coated with a light-sensitive layer and used to produce photos. Most photos today are printed with color printers.
Pigments Color particles, in their dry form. They can be bound in oil or water.
Pollutants Substances that are harmful to humans, animals, or plants.
Polycarbonate A stable, scratch-resistant plastic abbreviated PC and part of the polyester family. It is used to manufacture CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays. Also suitable as a glass substitute, for example for eyeglasses.
Polyester Generic term for various plastics, including PET and polycarbonate. Often used to manufacture synthetic fibers that are processed into textiles.
Polyethylene The most widely used plastic of all, abbreviated PE. Depending on the method of production, polyethylene can be soft (LDPE) or rigid (HDPE). WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Polymer Very long molecular chain consisting of many repeating molecules, the monomers. Artificial polymers are the basis for the production of all types of plastic.
Polymerization Chemical reaction in which individual molecules are joined together to form long molecular chains.
Polystyrene One of the oldest types of plastic, in foamed form known as Styrofoam.
PP Abbreviation for polypropylene, one of the most commonly used plastics of all. PP can withstand temperatures of up to 100 degrees Celsius and is used in many types of packaging. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Propane Colorless gas that occurs naturally and is obtained separately when drilling for petroleum; can also be produced as a byproduct in the processing of petroleum. Propane gas is sometimes used in homes for cooking.
Radioactive Substances in which the atomic nucleus is not stable but decays, releasing high-energy radiation. It is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity, or in medicine for X-rays. Radioactive radiation is generally very dangerous to humans and other living beings. It can damage cells and organs.
Ratification The act of giving formal consent to a contract or agreement. Often refers to treaties between nations under international law.
Recyclate Material produced during plastic recycling that can be reused. It can be granules of crushed plastic or a mass produced by melting. Often it also contains plastics that have not yet been used, such as pellets left over from production.
Recycling Process in which used products or waste are made useful again. Most packaging is hard to recycle because it is made up of many different components that are almost impossible to separate. Plastic recycling is difficult: The quality of the raw material decreases and needs to be improved by using additives. It often results in inferior products. WHY IS PLASTIC RECYCLING NOT A SOLUTION?
Recycling codes Can be found on packaging. Number 1 to 7 are plastics. The labeling is used to facilitate the recycling of certain substances. WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLASTIC?
Regulation In our context, when policymakers decide that certain substances or products may only be used in a restricted manner or not at all.
Regulation System in which packaging is used several times. The opposite of Disposable. Exists in some countries, especially for beverage containers. When they are empty, they are returned to the store for their deposit. They are then cleaned and refilled. Glass bottles can be reused up to 50 times. WHY REUSE ITEMS?
Residue Unwanted substance that remains when a product is disposed of or recycled.
Salt dome Underground structure in which salt has accumulated. Caves remain when the salt is mined, some of which are used as underground dumps for nuclear or other hazardous waste.
Sewage plant A plant in which wastewater is treated. What remains is sewage sludge, which contains many nutrients but also pollutants and, for example, microplastic. Some of it is used as fertilizer in fields, while other sewage sludge is incinerated or stored in landfills. HOW DOES PLASTIC GET INTO THE SOIL?
Shellac Yellowish resin made by the lac bug or lac insect. It is used, among other things, as a protective coating or as a polishing agent. In the past, it was used to make records.
Solvents Liquids in which other substances dissolve without undergoing a chemical reaction. Many solvents are toxic.
Styrofoam Trade name for foamed polystyrene, a plastic used, among other things, as packaging, for thermal insulation, or in safety helmets.
Synthetic From the ancient Greek »súnthesis«: putting together, composition; in the present context, it means synthetic materials that imitate natural substances but are actually man-made.
Synthetic rubber Today, more than half of all rubber used is produced artificially by polymerization, mostly from oil or gas. Originally, the raw material was obtained from the milky sap of certain plants, such as the tropical rubber tree. This is natural rubber, which is used for such things as printing inks or plasticizers.
Taboo A cultural or religious-based prohibition or unwritten law that restricts or inhibits certain actions.
Tectonic shifts Our earth is made up of different layers: At the center is the earth’s core, which is surrounded by the mantle and topped off by the earth’s crust. The crust is made up of seven large tectonic plates, also called continental plates. These plates move, in some cases by several centimeters per year. They can drift apart, rub against each other, or collide.
Teflon Best-known trade name for the plastic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). It is used as a coating to protect against aggressive chemicals or as a heat-resistant non-stick coating for pots and pans. It is also used in the medical technology and aerospace industries.
Thermoplastics Plastics that can be deformed with heat, even multiple times. They can therefore be melted down and reused.
Thermosets Rigid plastics that cannot be deformed. HOW DO POLYMERS DIFFER?
Threshold value Specified value that must be adhered to – for example, for the amount of pollutants in a product.
Thyroid Butterfly-shaped gland in the neck whose hormones control numerous bodily processes.
Toxic WHAT ARE ADDITIVES?
UN The United Nations. It was founded as a global peace organization in 1945 and today also aims to foster international cooperation, protect human rights, and solve urgent problems in the international community. Currently, 193 countries are members of the UN.
Viscose Viscose fibers are produced by chemical processes using naturally grown cellulose. They are used to make clothing and other textiles.
World Bank Special institution of the United Nations (UN) based in Washington DC, US, whose main objective is to fight poverty.
Zero Waste Concept, vision, and societal movement that aims to avoid waste wherever possible. Key ideas: avoid unnecessary consumption, avoid waste, repair and recycling instead of a throwaway culture.