What are merits and demerits of plastic?

Answer 1

It depends on what type of plastic .... for instance for plastic bags:

Advantages

The durability, strength, low cost, water and chemicals resistance, welding properties, lesser energy and heavy chemicals requirements in manufacture, fewer atmosphere emissions and light weight are advantages of plastic bags. Many studies comparing plastic versus paper for shopping bags show that plastic bags have less net environmental effect than paper bags, requiring less energy to produce, transport and recycle; however these studies also note that recycling rates for plastic are significantly lower than for paper.[2] Plastic bags can be incinerated in appropriate facilities for waste-to-energy. Plastic bags are stable and benign in sanitary landfills.[3] Plastic carrier bags can be reused as trash bags or bin bags. Plastic bags are complimentary in many locations but are charged or "taxed" in others.

Disadvantages

The following disadvantages have also been identified:

Plastic bags are made of petrochemicals, a nonrenewable resource.

Plastic bags are flimsy and often do not stand up as well as paper or cloth.

When disposed of improperly, they are unsightly and represent a hazard to wildlife.

Conventional plastic bags are not readily biodegradable in a sanitary landfill.

Plastic bags can cause unsupervised infants to suffocate.[4]

They clog roadside drains, which could cause the flooding of the street at heavy rainfalls.

BY JOMON JOSEPH

Answer 2

Merits: Plastic is lightweight, versatile, and durable, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. It is also inexpensive to produce and can be easily molded into various shapes.

Demerits: Plastic pollution is a significant environmental concern as it contributes to marine pollution, landfills, and harm to wildlife. Some plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food or water, posing health risks. Recycling rates for plastic are low, exacerbating its negative impacts on the environment.