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Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics [Hardcover]

E. S. Stevens (Author)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Product details

Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Princeton University Press (3 Dec 2001)
Language English
ISBN-10: 069104967X
ISBN-13: 978-0691049670
Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.5 x 2.3 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 769,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #37 in Books > Science & Nature > Chemistry > Polymer Chemistry
- #58 in Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Environment > Waste Management
- #64 in Books > Science & Nature > Engineering & Technology > Production, Manufacturing & Operational > Materials & Industries > Plastics

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Review

As its subtitle promises, [this book] does offer an introduction to the subject, along with a brief overview of the chemistry of plastics. Rounding out the book are a helpful glossary, a reading list for those interested in exploring the topic in greater depth and an appendix of recipes for making your own bioplastics from common ingredients. -- American Scientist

A very nice introduction to the field of biodegradable polymers. -- Choice

The flow of topics is natural and intuitive. Definitions and diagrams are generally plain, precise, and easy to understand. . . . This book is recommended for college-level students as well as for the general reader with little formal background in chemistry who desires an up-to-date presentation on current and future trends in plastics. -- Armen S. Casparian, Science Books & Film

Product Description

Plastics are everywhere. Bags, bank cards, bottles, and even boats can all be made of this celebrated but much-maligned material. Yet most of us know next to nothing about plastics. We do know that they are practical and cheap--but they also represent a huge environmental problem, for they literally take ages to decompose. In this engaging book, E.S. Stevens tells us everything we have always wondered about plastics and of the efforts, in America, Europe, and Asia, to develop a new breed of environmentally friendly plastics. He points to a possible future where plastics will no longer be made of petroleum, but of plants.

The first two chapters assess the increased use of plastics as a relatively new alternative to other materials. The third chapter introduces us to their impact on the environment and strategies for their disposal or recycling. The next two chapters cover basic concepts and terms used in polymer sciences and provide some basic chemistry. With these fundamentals in tow, the author compares how petroleum-based and biological polymers are made, and the various ways in which they decompose. He acquaints readers with the emerging technologies, their commercial viability, and their future. Finally, instructions are given for preparing basic bioplastics using readily available materials.

Nonspecialists will find Green Plastics a concise introduction to this exciting interdisciplinary topic--an introduction otherwise not available. For students it provides easy entry to an area of science with wide appeal and current importance; for teachers, excellent background reading for courses in various sciences. The prospect of depleted fossil fuel supplies, and the potential benefits of bioplastics to the environment and to rural areas that could supply the raw materials, make this book a compelling presentation of a subject whose time has come.

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First Sentence
No material on earth has been so highly valued for its usefulness, yet so maligned, as plastic. Read the first page

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great explanation of this very relevant topic, 16 Sep 2007

M. Linnard (Newcastle UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics (Hardcover)

Came to it with only a basic understanding of plastics and now feel alot more emlightened. Helpful to understand basic organic chemistry but all well explained.

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Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just a "Leafy" subject., 24 Dec 2008

By Adesh Seuraj - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics (Hardcover)

Steven's book was by far the most important resource for my undergraduate thesis. His sentences are well balanced and he introduces the breadth of biodegradable and biobased polymers with flawless clarity and insight. As a chemist he is able to preserve the integrity of the subject, easily skirting between the Organic, Inorganic and Physical branches of the division.
His content is chronological and necessary, especially depicting the growth and emergence of this exciting new field from a time belonging to Indigenous tribes in Northern America. His review is reluctant though, to solely cloak itself in scientific respectability, and he is inclusive of the economic considerations for the commercialization of bioplastics. The final formulation, therefore befits a capstone that underscores the fact that what is justified in principle, will not be botched in practice ; a caveat more likely observed than not, in the field of Environmental Chemistry.
Excellent Job Stevens.

4.0 out of 5 stars Ok, could be better with more information on these polymers for industrial folks, 24 Dec 2008

By Ivan W. Ong - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics (Hardcover)

Well written in the historical aspect of polymers that can be considered "green"/naturally-derived/biodegradable, but a bit thin on the current biodegradable polymers of industrial interest (PLA, PHBV) and their processing characteristics and properties. Also thin on emerging EU, US, ISO standards on biodegradability.

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