Despite the growing calls for the abolition of plastic, there are essential products in various sectors, from medicine to technology, that cannot be replaced without compromising our society

By Marco Arezio

The use of plastic has revolutionized the modern world, enabling a wide range of innovations that span from medicine to transportation, communication technologies, and food.

However, alongside the obvious benefits of plastic, a movement of critics has emerged over the past decades, highlighting the enormous environmental damage linked to its production, use, and, above all, its management as waste.

Plastic detractors argue that this material, despite its usefulness, represents an existential threat to the Earth’s ecosystem due to its ability to persist in the environment for hundreds of years, causing pollution on a global scale.

Driven by these concerns, numerous activists, environmental organizations, and governments have begun proposing drastic measures to reduce or eliminate the use of plastic.

Campaigns like "Break Free from Plastic" have mobilized millions of people worldwide, calling for a reduction in single-use plastics and the adoption of more sustainable alternatives.

Some countries, especially in Europe, have already adopted legislative measures to drastically reduce plastic use, such as banning single-use plastic bags, straws, and expanded polystyrene containers.

Moreover, many critics argue that, despite its utility, humanity can no longer afford to depend on plastic as it does today and call for a transition to a circular economy, in which materials are reused and recycled instead of being discarded.

The central argument is that continuing to produce and use plastic as we have over the past decades will lead to disastrous and irreversible consequences for the planet.

While environmental concerns are justified, there are sectors, such as medical, technological, and industrial, where plastic is still irreplaceable.

The challenge for the future will not simply be to abolish plastic but to balance its use with sustainable practices and promote innovations that reduce its environmental impact.

On the one hand, it is essential to drastically reduce unnecessary single-use plastics. On the other, it is equally important to recognize that, in some cases, plastic remains fundamental to the functioning of modern society.

In the debate on plastic, a crucial aspect involves distinguishing between products that can be replaced with more sustainable alternatives and those that, at present, are difficult to substitute due to their unique properties.

This article focuses on plastic products that do not yet have valid alternatives due to their specific performance, durability, or safety.

These products are essential in various sectors, including healthcare, industry, and advanced technologies, and their absence could cause significant disruption or even compromise the functioning of vital sectors.

Single-use medical devices

One of the fields where plastic is indispensable is medicine. Instruments such as syringes, catheters, gloves, and blood transfusion bags are made of plastic materials to ensure high hygiene standards, reduce infection risks, and ensure patient safety. At present, no other material can combine sterility, low cost, and lightness like these products.

Prosthetics and medical implants

Prosthetics and implants, such as artificial heart valves and orthopedic prostheses, use advanced plastics like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyurethane. These materials are biocompatible, lightweight, and resistant to wear, enabling mobility and improving the quality of life for millions of people. Currently, no alternative materials can offer the same long-term performance.

Pipes for water and gas infrastructure

PVC and polyethylene are irreplaceable materials in water and gas distribution systems. These pipes are corrosion-resistant, long-lasting, and economical compared to metal pipes. Additionally, they offer superior chemical resistance and require less maintenance. Using alternative materials would significantly increase production and maintenance costs for infrastructure.

Electrical insulation systems

Plastic is an excellent electrical insulator, used to coat wires and cables. Materials like PVC and polyethylene are essential for ensuring that electrical networks are safe and durable. Replacing them with alternative materials, such as glass or ceramics, is impractical for most daily applications due to cost and the rigidity of these materials.

Electronic device components

Plastic forms the basis of many components in smartphones, computers, televisions, and other electronic equipment. From protective casings to printed circuits, plastic offers lightness, flexibility, electrical insulation, and impact protection. Alternative materials like glass or metals could not replicate the combination of necessary characteristics for these applications.

Glasses and contact lenses

Plastic is crucial for the production of lightweight and durable glasses, as well as contact lenses. The use of glass for lenses would be dangerous and uncomfortable, while plastic, such as polycarbonate, offers strength, transparency, and flexibility. At present, there are no economical and practical alternatives that provide the same properties.

Electronic screens and displays

Liquid crystal displays (LCD) and OLED screens use thin plastic films to protect and insulate internal components.

3D printing materials

3D printing primarily relies on plastics like PLA and ABS, which offer high moldability, strength, and ease of use. Although there are filaments made from metals or ceramics, plastic remains the most versatile and accessible material for everyday applications, from prototyping to producing complex objects.

Automotive components

In the automotive industry, plastic is essential for reducing vehicle weight and improving fuel efficiency. Bumpers, dashboards, seats, and other interior parts are made of lightweight and durable plastics such as polypropylene and polyurethane. Metallic alternatives would increase the vehicle’s weight, reduce energy efficiency, and increase production costs.

Pharmaceutical and food containers

Plastic ensures the safety and longevity of pharmaceuticals and food. Containers made from HDPE or PET protect contents from contamination, moisture, and external agents, preserving freshness. Currently, no alternative materials offer the same barrier properties at comparable costs, especially in sensitive environments like pharmaceuticals.

Technical fabrics and protective clothing

Materials like nylon and polyester, used for sportswear, technical fabrics, and protective clothing, offer durability, lightness, and breathability. They are also used in personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves, and protective suits. There are no natural alternatives with the same technical properties.

Aerospace industry protections

Plastic is used in numerous aerospace components, from aircraft interiors to insulating materials for electronic circuits. Materials like Kevlar and polycarbonate are essential for ensuring lightness, heat resistance, and protection from impacts and mechanical stress. Without these materials, the weight and operating costs of spacecraft would significantly increase.

Flexible tubing for medical applications

Flexible plastic tubing is essential for transporting fluids in patients. Used for drains, transfusions, and ventilation, these tubes must be lightweight, flexible, and sterile. Alternative materials, such as silicone or metal, are less practical and more expensive for many medical applications.

Filtration and purification membranes

Plastic is essential in water and air filtration systems. Polypropylene or polyurethane membranes offer a combination of chemical resistance and filtration capacity that cannot be replicated with natural or metallic materials. These systems are fundamental for purifying drinking water and industrial purification.

Advanced surgical equipment

Surgical instruments such as scalpels, forceps, and other delicate tools use plastic components to ensure precision and sterility. Plastic allows for the creation of single-use tools, reducing sterilization costs and ensuring safety in the operating room. Without it, many procedures would be riskier or less accessible.

Telecommunication devices

Fiber optic cables and other telecommunications infrastructure components rely on plastics to insulate and protect signals. Plastic offers excellent protection from moisture and interference, making it irreplaceable for maintaining fast and secure internet connections. Currently, no materials can offer the same performance at equally low costs.

Battery and fuel cell components

Lithium-ion batteries, used in phones, computers, and electric cars, contain plastic parts that insulate and protect internal components. Plastic ensures safety and durability over time, preventing charge loss and short circuits. No other material offers the same combination of lightness and chemical resistance.

Rapid diagnostic testing tools

Rapid diagnostic tests, such as those used to detect infectious diseases, rely heavily on plastic for their production. These often single-use tools are made from plastic materials that ensure precision, safety, and ease of use.

Plastic enables the creation of lightweight, economical, and sterile devices, essential for immediate use in clinical or field environments. At present, there are no practical alternatives that offer the same combination of low cost, hygiene, and production speed, making plastic indispensable for these diagnostic tools.

Organ and tissue preservation tools

Plastic plays a crucial role in the systems for preserving and transporting organs and tissues for transplants. Specialized plastic containers, organ bags, and packaging materials used to maintain a sterile and controlled environment are essential to ensure that organs remain viable during transport.

The absence of suitable plastics would seriously compromise the possibility of saving lives through transplants, as alternative materials do not offer the same combination of lightness, strength, and insulating capacity.

Radiation protection systems

In medical and industrial settings, plastic is used to shield from X-rays and other radiation, often combined with other materials like lead.

Plastic materials offer flexibility and durability in environments where using heavy metals would be too cumbersome or ineffective.

These protection systems are essential for ensuring the safety of patients and operators in high-radiation environments, such as hospitals and industrial facilities, and there are currently no equally practical materials for providing the same combination of performance and handling.