A SUSTAINABILITY PRIMER - Plastics and Environmental Sustainability - page 62

or groups the different options based on sustainability considerations is
available, it might be used as an aid in planning or decision making.
The generalized matrix ( Fig. 2.9 ) strives to serve this purpose. The row
labels in the matrix refer to the three broad impact areas of concern to
sustainability: energy, resources (materials), and pollutants (externalities)
associatedwithaprocessorproduct.Responsibleuseofenergyandmaterial
resources and pollution prevention are the cornerstones of sustainable
growth (Geiser, 2001).
a. Energy : Global energy demand will rise from the present 524 quads
(2010) to 630 quads by 2020 and 820 quads in 2040. 9 Given the
growth rates of GDP in populous nations such as China and India, these
are probably underestimates. Even by 2040, about 80% of this energy
will still be derived from fossil fuel sources.
b. Resources : Both energy production itself and a myriad of other
industries rely on critical metals and oxides in their processes. For
instance, wind turbines, solar energy, and battery technology depend on
the use of rare earth metals. Conservation, especially of non-renewable
resources, through economy, reuse, and substitution with less rare
alternatives, is therefore a key component of sustainable growth.
c. Pollution : Externalities associated with manufacturing including
gaseous emissions (CO 2 , NO x , SO x , Hg, etc.) as well as water emissions
of raw materials, unused products, and process waste. Also included in
this category are leachable constituents in food packaging, residential
coatings, and toys that result in adverse human health problems. With
new information available, the role of low levels of endocrine disruptor
chemicals (EDCs) used in plastic products (see Chapter 7 ) and their
potential contamination of human food supplies is of particular
concern.