
Plastic | Composition, History, Uses, Types, & Facts | Britannica
Nov 19, 2025 · 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 ...
Nov 18, 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
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 …
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 …
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 …
Plastic pollution - Marine Debris, Microplastics, Landfill | Britannica
Nov 18, 2025 · Plastic pollution - Marine Debris, Microplastics, Landfill: Since the ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, it is the receiving body for much of the …
How does plastic pollute the environment? | Britannica
Nov 18, 2025 · Plastic is not biodegradable. Instead of breaking down completely, it forms smaller pieces called microplastics, which can last on Earth for centuries.
Plastic - Processing, Fabrication, Recycling | Britannica
Nov 19, 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 …
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, …
Today, Plastic, History, & Ingredients - Britannica
Chewing gum One of the main ingredients of modern chewing gum is insoluble plastic, which provides elastic properties.