Peak Oil and Plastics

Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports
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Dear Cecil-

In reading your recent article regarding peak oil production I began to think about our beloved plastics. About how I’ve heard we use plastics for just about everything these days. About how many if not most of our plastics are byproducts of the very fossil-based oils we’re saying are about to reach peak production, if they haven’t already.

In other words, while I’ve heard that we may be able to recover with various alternatives from an energy standpoint, I’ve also heard we may have a much tougher time kicking the 'ol plastic habit and that it’s the plastics issue that bodes more peril for our future than fuel. Of course, that’s only what I’ve heard which means it may all be bunk.

So what’s the Straight Dope? How do plastics, our use of plastics, and peak oil production fit together?

-L.N. from Burlington, WA

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Poorly.
Petrochemicals are in no way required for polymer production. We use petroleum soleley as a feedstock. It’s essentially just a source of carbon and hydrogen atoms. And we use petroleum becaus eit is a cheap and easily ttransported source of carbon and hydrogen atoms.You can obtain the same carbon and hydrogen atoms from plant biomass or directly from the air if you wish to provided that you have the energy input available.