CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
The increasing quest for better quality of life is an unending goal for the people of this world. This has contributed to the increased consumption of goods and services, resulting in the generation of waste. Plastics have become an integral part of our lives, its wide use in various sectors and its ever-expanding applications has been of enormous benefits to the society. The amounts of plastics consumed annually have been growing steadily (Kumar, 2017; Kaza et al., 2018). Being a versatile, light weight, strong and potentially transparent material, plastics are the drivers for its growth and ideal suitability for a variety of applications. Their low cost, excellent oxygen/moisture barrier properties, bio-inertness and light weight make them excellent packaging materials. Besides its wide use in packaging, automotive and industrial applications, they are extensively used in medical delivery systems, artificial implants and other healthcare applications, water desalination and removal of bacteria etc (Vermaet al., 2016; Okon, 2018) Usage of plastics, in preservation and distribution of food, housing and appliances are too many to mention. Specially designed plastics, have been an integral part of the communication and electronics industry, especially in the manufacture of chips and compartments. They are also used in alternative energy systems such as fuel cells, batteries. (Babayemi et al., 2018). Meanwhile, increasing plastic production and use in emerging economies looks set to continue, and waste management infrastructure will have to develop accordingly (Uwaegbulam et al., 2018). Unfortunately, the properties of plastic that make it so valuable also make its disposal problematic, such as its durability, light weight and low cost. In many cases plastics are thrown away after one use, especially packaging and sheeting, but because they are durable, they persist in the environment (Hopewell et al., 2009) However, as the use of plastic in modern society has increased, so too have the environmental impacts associated with its production and disposal. UNEP (2018) highlighted the environmental costs of plastic use in consumer World population, which surpassed 7 billion in 2011, is forecast to exceed 9 billion by2050. It is feared that the growing demand for resources will facilitate an increase in resource consumption and waste generation, contribute to deterioration of the natural environment and climate change, and impact future generations (Ogwo et al., 2013). To solve poverty, hunger, and environmental problems and achieve sustainable development in diverse ways while dealing with this increase in world population, it is generally acknowledged that a multifaceted approach that integrates economic, social, and environmental aspects is needed as it could help to address some of the world‘s most pressing problems, such as climate change and food shortages. For example, plastics are used in the manufacture of rotors for wind turbines and tunnels made from polyethylene can help crops grow in otherwise unfavorable conditions (Oyake-Ombis et al., 2015). As demand for materials with certain qualities increases, the plastics industry will aim to supply them.