🐸👑 ♻️ Plastics in Our Lives – What Should We Know About Them?

of Dr. Magdalena Laabs January 17, 2025

Plastics are everywhere in our daily lives. From water bottles and shopping bags to food packaging, clothing, and car parts – these materials play a huge role in modern society. But have you ever wondered what plastics really are, how they are made, why they are so widely used, and what we can do to minimize their impact on the environment?

In our upcoming training, “Plastics in Our Lives – What Should We Know About Them?”, we’ll explore these questions in depth. Below, you’ll find more details about what you can expect from this course and how it provides a clear, practical understanding of the world of plastics.

👉 Enroll in the course now!

Rolbatch Academy – Dr. Magdalena Laabs teaching about plastics, polymers, and recycling in the course 'Introduction to the World of Plastics

What Exactly Are Plastics?

Although plastics may seem like a relatively new material, their history dates back to the early 20th century. The first synthetic plastic – Bakelite – was invented in 1907 and quickly found industrial uses. Today, plastics are defined as materials made from polymers, which are long chains of chemical molecules.

During the training, we’ll explain what a polymer is and why plastics are so versatile. You’ll learn how plastics are derived from crude oil, natural gas, or biomass, and what makes them unique in terms of properties like lightness, durability, and resistance to moisture.

We’ll also take a closer look at how plastics have become the foundation of the modern world, revolutionizing industries like transportation, electronics, medicine, and more.

Types of Plastics and Their Everyday Applications

Did you know that most plastics can be divided into a few basic categories? In our training, we’ll discuss the most common types of plastics, such as:

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate): Found in beverage bottles and food packaging.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene): Used in detergent containers and toys.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Found in pipes, cable insulation, and medical equipment.
PP (Polypropylene): Used for bottle caps, straws, and many car components.
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene): Common in plastic bags and food wrap.

We’ll explain the properties that make each type suitable for specific applications and discuss the recycling possibilities for these materials. You’ll understand why PET bottles are recyclable, while multi-material packaging often isn’t.

👉 Join our course and become part of the solution!

Environmental Challenges Associated with Plastics

Plastics are durable materials, and this strength, which makes them so useful, is also one of their biggest challenges. A key focus of our training will be the environmental impact of plastics.

We’ll address topics such as:

Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles that end up in water, soil, and even our food.
Ocean pollution: How plastics reach seas and oceans, forming massive garbage patches.
Plastics' longevity: A PET bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose, while a plastic bag may take 10–20 years.

We’ll also discuss why current waste management systems fall short and what improvements could be made to reduce plastics' impact on our planet.

Are Biodegradable Plastics the Future?

In recent years, there has been growing interest in biodegradable and compostable plastics as alternatives to traditional materials. During the training, we’ll explore:

What bioplastics like PLA (polylactic acid) are and how they are made.
The conditions required for biodegradation – why industrial composting facilities are necessary for these materials.
Whether biodegradable plastics truly solve the problem of waste or simply shift it elsewhere.

👉 Be the change you want to see – enroll in our course!

What Can We Do as Consumers?

The final part of the training will focus on practical advice for everyone. We’ll discuss how we, as consumers, can reduce the negative impact of plastics on the environment by making small but meaningful changes, such as:

Using reusable shopping bags and water bottles.
Choosing products made from recycled materials or without plastic packaging.
Sorting waste correctly based on its type and recycling codes.
Educating others on how to use plastics responsibly.

Why This Training Matters

This training was designed with individuals outside the plastics industry in mind. It offers a simple, accessible introduction to the materials that surround us every day. With clear language and practical examples, participants will not only grasp the basics but also gain insights into the challenges and opportunities posed by plastic waste and recycling.

If you know someone who might benefit from this course, we encourage you to share this information – every step toward greater awareness makes a difference!

👉 Act now for a sustainable future – join the course today!

For Those in the Plastics Industry

If you’re part of the plastics industry, we invite you to explore our wide range of advanced technical and specialist training courses. You can find the full list here:
👉 https://www.rolbatch.eu/pages/all-trainings-plastics-recycling-energy

Answers to frequently asked questions about our courses can be found here:
👉 https://www.rolbatch.eu/pages/faq-online-trainings-plastics-recycling

Discover the fascinating world of plastics with us and gain a new, conscious perspective on these materials! 😊

🐸👑♻️ Rolbatch Academy