Understanding One of the World’s Most Versatile Materials

Plastics are strong, lightweight, flexible, and essential to modern life. From medical devices and car parts to food packaging and electronics, plastics make products safer, more durable, and more affordable. But what exactly are plastics, where did they come from, and how do they work?

Plastic Facts

If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world. ²⁴

Father shows child a plastic milk jug while shopping for fresh food at the grocery store

Plastic keeps food safe and reduces spoilage.

Plastics have a lower total greenhouse gas contribution than alternative materials like aluminum or glass.¹⁸

Building using plastic materials is overlaid on a green environment reflecting low climate impact

Plastic has the lowest climate impact.

It takes just 280 degrees to melt a plastic bottle²⁰ while it takes 660 degrees to melt an aluminum can²¹ and 1500 degrees to melt a glass bottle.²²

Factory engineer inspects polymer during plastic manufacturing process

Plastic is recycled efficiently.

With over 20,000 drop-off locations across North America accepting plastic film, and advanced recycling methods capable of breaking down even complex plastics without burning, recycling is reaching new levels of accessibility and innovation.

Father Teaching His Daughter About Recycling, a good learning opportunity about environmental conservation and care

Over 6 billion pounds of plastic is recycled in America each year including film.

Using high performance plastic instead of metal and glass allows automakers to reduce the overall weight of vehicles and fuel consumption.¹⁹

Close up of an electronic vehicle charging

Plastic increases fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.

Medical plastics can be both safe and sustainable. Some manufacturers are developing recyclable surgical trays and bioplastics for single-use items, reducing medical waste while maintaining strict hygiene standards.

Plastic is necessary for essential medical care.

Answers to Common Questions

Get the facts about plastic materials and products.

Get the Facts

Whether you want to learn more about plastics and sustainability, help a student with a project, or collaborate with a peer, these resources will help you understand the positives of plastic.

Illustration of recycling symbol on top of the map of the USA

Plastics Recycling in the USA – by the Numbers

Plastic bottle pattern illustration

Beyond the Bottle

Conceptual recycling symbol cut out displaying modern sustainable solutions

Plastics: The Sustainable Choice

Plastic beads in cups

Advanced Recycling: Reducing Plastic Waste, Cutting Emissions, Growing Economies

Resources and References

Page references. Click to expand.

¹ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7664184/

² https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/11/food-waste-101-the-facts-and-solutions/

³ https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling

⁴ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2873017/#:~:text=Plastics%20are%20considered%20to%20be,penetration%20through%20the%20cell%20membrane

⁵ https://plasticmakers.org/our-solutions/sustainable-american-infrastructure/auto/

⁶ meng-et-al-2024-replacing-plastics-with-alternatives-is-worse-for-greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-most-cases.pdf

⁷ https://plasticmakers.org/our-solutions/sustainable-american-infrastructure/auto/

⁸ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35562253

⁹ https://www.bpf.co.uk/sustainability/plastics_and_sustainability.aspx

¹⁰ https://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/publications/2018/02/978-87-93614-73-4.pdf

¹¹ https://reason.com/2024/08/27/plastics-are-better-for-the-climate/

¹² https://news.umich.edu/mythbusting-5-common-misperceptions-surrounding-the-environmental-impacts-of-single-use-plastics/

¹³ https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/why-is-one-third-of-food-wasted-worldwide

¹⁴ https://nofima.com/results/how-to-improve-the-shelf-life-of-fruit-and-vegetables/

¹⁵ https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20180705-whats-the-real-price-of-getting-rid-of-plastic-packaging

¹⁶ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666911022000247#:~:text=Indeed%2C%20the%20mi%2CMP%20of%205%20g/week%20is,parameter%20for%20assessing%20the%20harm%20to%20humans

¹⁷ https://www.freedoniagroup.com/press-releases/freedonia-report-finds-new-jersey-single-use-bag-ban-boosts-alternative-bag-production,-increases-pl

¹⁸ https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c05191

¹⁹ Department of Energy, American Chemistry Council.

²⁰ https://napcor.com/about-pet/#:~:text=The%20polyethylene%20terephthalate%20(PET)%20items,of%2010%C2%B0C/minute

²¹ https://www.alineautomation.com/at-what-point-does-aluminum-begin-to-melt/

²² https://hypertextbook.com/facts/2002/SaiLee.shtml

²³ America’s Plastic Makers

²⁴ United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

²³ America’s Plastic Makers