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  1. Plastic | Composition, History, Uses, Types, & Facts | Britannica

    Jan 24, 2026 · plastic, polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure.

  2. Plastic pollution | Definition, Sources, Effects, Solutions, Ocean ...

    Jan 9, 2026 · 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 niches, from …

  3. Plastic - Polymers, Synthetic, Recycling | Britannica

    Nov 19, 2025 · 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 …

  4. plastics summary | Britannica

    Polyethylene (PE), light, versatile synthetic resin made from the polymerization of ethylene. Polyethylene is a member of the important family of polyolefin resins. It is the most widely used plastic in the world, …

  5. Plastic - Foaming, Manufacturing, Properties | Britannica

    Nov 19, 2025 · Plastic - Foaming, Manufacturing, Properties: Foams, also called expanded plastics, possess inherent features that make them suitable for certain applications. For instance, the thermal …

  6. Plastic pollution - Marine Debris, Microplastics, Landfill | Britannica

    Jan 9, 2026 · Plastic pollution was first noticed in the ocean by scientists carrying out plankton studies in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and oceans and beaches still receive most of the attention of those …

  7. Plastic - Processing, Fabrication, Recycling | Britannica

    Jan 24, 2026 · Plastic - Processing, Fabrication, Recycling: The processing of raw materials into usable forms is termed fabrication or conversion. An example from the plastics industry would be the …

  8. Today, Plastic, History, & Ingredients - Britannica

    Chewing gum One of the main ingredients of modern chewing gum is insoluble plastic, which provides elastic properties.

  9. 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.

  10. plastic pollution Facts | Britannica

    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 niches, from Mount Everest to …