Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design.
Plexiglass, also known as acrylic, has been in the market since the early 20th century, gaining widespread use in various industries. The material experienced two peaks in demand: during World War II, when it was used for military purposes, and more recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became a vital part of safety protocols in public spaces. From restaurants to grocery stores, plexiglass shields became essential in reducing viral transmission.
Plexiglass vs. glass
When comparing plexiglass to traditional glass, plexiglass stands out for its lightweight, durability, shatter-resistance, and flexibility. While glass may initially cost less, plexiglass proves more convenient in the long term due to its lower maintenance and replacement costs. Its versatility makes it an ideal material for various construction and design applications.
Sustainability: Is plexiglass an eco-friendly choice?
At first glance, the large-scale production of plastic barriers during environmental crises might raise concerns about sustainability. While plexiglass is made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), a derivative of fossil fuels, efforts are underway to make this material more sustainable.
Recyclability: One significant advantage of plexiglass is its potential to be recycled. David Smith, the circular economy program lead at an international acrylic products company, highlighted that PMMA can be heated to a specific temperature to revert to its virgin state, making it fully recyclable. However, the reality is that widespread recycling of plexiglass remains limited due to a lack of infrastructure and awareness.
Durability and longevity: Despite its plastic origins, plexiglass has sustainability benefits due to its long service life. Its resistance to UV degradation and weathering means it can last much longer than other materials, reducing the need for frequent replacements. In architectural applications, its durability can help lower the overall environmental footprint by reducing resource consumption over time.
Green alternatives: The development of "green acrylics" made from 100% recycled materials offers a more sustainable alternative. These recycled variants maintain the properties of traditional plexiglass while reducing reliance on virgin fossil fuels. These can be sourced from post-consumer acrylic products or scrap material captured from manufacturing processes.
Challenges to acrylic recycling
While acrylic is recyclable, it falls into group 7 plastics, a category that includes many difficult-to- recycle materials. Most household recycling programs do not accept acrylic, and recycling contractors that do process it are limited. Currently, most acrylic scrap is recycled internally within factories that produce acrylic products. Expanding recycling programs to include acrylics would significantly reduce their environmental impact, but this requires broader systemic changes.
Environmental and health considerations
While acrylic itself is relatively safe, as it doesn’t release harmful chemicals at standard temperatures, its production does raise some environmental concerns. The extraction and processing of fossil fuels for acrylic production contribute to pollution, and the production process releases harmful fumes that can impact air quality. This underscores the importance of seeking out recycled or "green" acrylic alternatives.
Conclusion
Acrylic, like all plastics, poses a sustainability dilemma. While it is recyclable and durable, its fossil fuel origins and limited recycling infrastructure present challenges. However, with advancements in recycling technology and the introduction of eco-friendly alternatives, acrylic can be part of a more sustainable future, especially if systemic changes in recycling practices are implemented.
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design. Through Senom, she aims to make projects not only beautiful, but sustainable, healthy, and approachable. Similarly, she specializes in turnkey rentals and property staging, custom product design, pre-construction, and more working with Iconic Modern Home in the Hamptons, New York City and Connecticut.
