[_8j50]

One thing people often forget when talking about petroleum is plastics and many other uses that have nothing to do with converting petrol into energy.

Is there a raw material that can be used to substitute for petrol to make plastics or is there an alternate to plastics for mass production and other uses?

[muzani]

I think we've developed many plastics alternatives, but they aren't in use because of high prices. I hear a lot about things like sugar for plastic bags and jellyfish for tampons and diapers.

When we do start running out of oil, the prices for this should rise quite a bit, making research into the alternative much more likely.

[twobyfour]

Tampons are made from cotton, not plastic. Maybe you're talking about the applicators (which are also sometimes made of cardboard instead of plastic)? Or maybe you're talking about menstrual pads, which - like diapers - have a plastic lining to protect against leaks.

[zhte415]

To clarify, muzani mentioned jellyfish for tampons and sugar for plastics.

Not plastic for tampons.

[twobyfour]

Ah, I see.

Is cotton production significantly affected by oil shortages? I thought cotton was an issue mostly because farming it is water-intensive and too much of it is produced in dry regions.

[zhte415]

>Is cotton production significantly affected by oil shortages?

I have no idea. I was just correcting your incorrect comprehension of the message you replied to.

[muzani]

I did mean plastic for tampons. I simply quoted it from a quick google search for plastic replacements.

[PaulHoule]

Many older plastics were (and are) made from materials other than oil. For instance, Polyvinyl Chloride can be made from coal via acetylene chemistry.

[woodandsteel]

From what I understand, only a tiny proportion of oil is used for plastics and other chemicals. Transportation is the overwhelming use.