Paper or plastic?
This is a simple — yet inherently complex — question that you’ve probably been asked countless times at the grocery store. Now, thanks to environmentally friendly reusable shopping bags, you’re probably not asked this quite as often. But still, the fact remains that this is a very important and weighted question even though you may not even realize it. That’s because it’s incredibly easy to take the important role that plastic plays in everyday modern life granted. Just think for a moment of all the plastics you come in contact with on a daily basis, and not just grocery store bags!
Plastics have helped to mold and shape so many aspects of modern day life, no pun intended. From the food packaging containers you eat and microwave food in, to the drinkware products that contain your favorite beverages, to the pharmaceutical bottle that hold the prescription medications that people take everyday, plastics play a critical role in everyday life. Unfortunately, they have gotten a pretty bad rap recently as environmental concerns continue to rise.
These environmental concerns aren’t without evidence. The global climate is changing, global temperatures are rising, glaciers that have been frozen for eons are melting, wildlife patterns are changing as a result of this, and natural disasters seem to be on the rise as well. It’s true that the rapid consumption of fossil fuels has contributed to much of this, which includes the production of plastic. Many plastics are made of petroleum oil derivatives, which can be taxing on the environment. After all, petroleum is not a renewable resource and the mining and processing of it takes a toll on the natural world.
In addition, the recycling rate of plastic is alarmingly low. For example, even though sales of bottled water in the United States are quite high, the rate at which these bottles are recycled is quite low in comparison. The oceans are also littered with plastics, which are having negative impacts on marine life, causing population decreases for many species. In addition, the plastic microbeads used in many household products have also contributed to the pollution of oceans and water supplies.
Because of all this, it’s easy to see why plastics have earned a negative reputation. But as the world becomes more environmentally aware, conscious, and responsible, the role of plastics and their use continues to change for the better. The production of plastics has become more sustainable and eco-friendly and the recycling of plastics is highly encouraged, with more and more people making an effort to do so.
The use of plastics and their importance is perhaps most easily seen in the medical industry and fields, where plastic medical components play a significant role. Health care providers are always on the look out for new and innovative ways to take better care of their patients and plastic medical components play a big part in this. Antimicrobial and reusable plastic medical components allow medical practitioners to easily adapt to the challenges in patient care they face in the health care industry.
Take a look at these amazing ways plastic medical components are being used in the health care industry and how they’re changing the way people think of plastics!
Reduced risk of infection
Infection control is an important part of providing quality health care and plastic medical components are now being used to help reduce the risk of infection in hospital around the globe. They can repel and even kill bacteria on surfaces that are regularly touched, thus minimizing the risk of infection. They can even kill bacteria on surfaces that aren’t sanitized regularly!
Increasing patient comfort and safety
Many people are allergic to metal medical devices and implants, which makes it difficult for medical professionals to administer the proper care or treatment. For example, medical components of hip replacement devices can result in a major allergic reaction, leading to even more pain and discomfort than necessary. However, sterile, hypo-allergenic plastic medical components can be used in place without compromising the quality or performance of the implant.
In addition, plastic medical components lead to major cost savings as they can be produced at affordable prices.