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The power of plastic: How we became hooked on it
From potty training to shopping, disposables have changed the way we live. That addiction is costing us.
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Over the course of the past century, disposable plastics undeniably have made our lives easier in many ways, says the writer.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Saabira Chaudhuri
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In 1957, 92 per cent of American children were potty-trained by 18 months of age. Four decades later, that number had dropped to just 4 per cent. Why are we potty-training our children so much later than our grandparents did? In large part, because of disposable diapers.
Made from plastic and cellulose, these products have been refined over several decades to be more absorbent, slimmer and less leaky.
