Plastic - Wikipedia
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be molded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms.

Plastic | Composition, History, Uses, Types, & Facts | Britannica
plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure.

The 7 Different Types of Plastics
Plastic is everywhere in our modern world, from packaging to vehicles, electronics, clothing and so much more. As we explore the complexity of recycling and upcycling plastics, it's important to understand the different types that exist.

About Plastic Products and Plastic Pollution | US EPA
Plastic products are generally versatile, durable and lightweight. Plastic products are prominent in the construction, transportation, and packaging industries. Plastic innovations contributed to many life-saving products that revolutionized the health care industry.

Plastic Numbers Explained: What Recycling Codes 1–7 Really Mean (Safety ...
Learn what the numbers on plastic containers mean, which plastics are safe, which to avoid, and how to recycle them properly using the 1–7 resin code chart.

Microplastics and our health: What the science says
Whether we know it, or like it, our bodies are polluted by tiny fragments of plastic that fail to break down in our earthly environment. What does that mean for our long-term health, and what can we do about it?

Plastic Pollution Impacts and Solutions | World Resources Institute
Plastics pose a wide range of hazards for people, ecosystems and the climate. Ninety-nine percent of plastics are made from fossil fuels and generate planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycles.

Plastic: Definition, Types, Properties, Applications, Advantages, and ...
Plastic is a synthetic polymer made from various organic materials that can be molded into almost any shape. Some types of plastic are clear and transparent, like that used in disposable water bottles, while others are opaque and available in a range of colors.

Plastic Pollution Statistics: Key Facts and Data (2026)
Plastic pollution has become one of the most significant environmental challenges facing the world today. From oceans and rivers to food and drinking water, plastic waste is now found almost everywhere on Earth. In this page, we break down the latest plastic pollution statistics, including global trends, ocean impact, and the growing threat of microplastics. These data points highlight the ...

History and Future of Plastics - Science History Institute
Plastic is a word that originally meant “pliable and easily shaped.” It only recently became a name for a category of materials called polymers. The word polymer means “of many parts,” and polymers are made of long chains of molecules. Polymers abound in nature.