
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.
Plastic pollution | Definition, Sources, Effects, Solutions, Ocean ...
Oct 1, 2025 · Plastics are persistent large-scale pollutants, and plastic debris (such as bottles, straws, containers, and plastic wrap) and particulates have been found in many environmental …
Plastic - Polymers, Synthetic, Recycling | Britannica
Plastic - Polymers, Synthetic, Recycling: Polymers are chemical compounds whose molecules are very large, often resembling long chains made up of a seemingly endless series of …
plastics summary | Britannica
Traditional plastics are not biodegradable (see biodegradability); recycling of plastics, especially thermoplastics, has become an important industry, and the development of low-cost …
Today, Plastic, History, & Ingredients - Britannica
Oct 1, 2025 · Chewing gum One of the main ingredients of modern chewing gum is insoluble plastic, which provides elastic properties.
How does plastic pollute the environment? | Britannica
Plastic is not biodegradable. Instead of breaking down completely, it forms smaller pieces called microplastics, which can last on Earth for centuries.
Plastic - Foaming, Manufacturing, Properties | Britannica
Sep 11, 2025 · Plastic - Foaming, Manufacturing, Properties: Foams, also called expanded plastics, possess inherent features that make them suitable for certain applications. For …
Plastic Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
PLASTIC meaning: 1 : a light, strong substance that can be made into different shapes and that is used for making many common products; 2 : a credit card when used for payment
Plastic - Processing, Fabrication, Recycling | Britannica
Sep 11, 2025 · Plastic - Processing, Fabrication, Recycling: The processing of raw materials into usable forms is termed fabrication or conversion. An example from the plastics industry would …
Single-Use Plastics | Pros, Cons, Debate, Arguments, Plastics Bans ...
Internationally, China banned single-use plastic straws in restaurants and single-use plastic bags in major cities; the European Union banned most single-use plastics as of July 1, 2021; and …