plastic: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 6, 2026

News •

Plastic bags and bottles become industrial-strength adhesives through new upcycling method • Nov. 5, 2026, 5:20 PM ET (Phys.org)

Scientists were unsure of how microplastics harmed the body — until now • Oct. 25, 2026, 12:00 PM ET (Washington Post)

Photos and Videos

plastic soft-drink bottles

A person's hand adjusts the dial on a car radio in the dashboard of a modern vehicle, with the steering wheel and instrument panel visible.

Several compact discs overlap in a scattered arrangement, reflecting iridescent blue, purple, and pink light from their shiny surfaces.

amorphous and semicrystalline polymer morphologies

section of a screw extruder of thermoplastic polymers

blow extrusion of thermoplastic polymers

injection molding of thermoplastic polymers

blow molding of plastic containers

The video thumbnail image shows a person's hand holding small fragments of colorful plastic.

A large pile of plastic trash collected from the ocean.

A white woman in blurry focus holds up a small piece of plastic called a nurdle, highlighted with a blue circle.

The science and sustainability of bioplastics

The impact of plastic waste on marine life

See All Videos, Images and Podcasts →

Topics

plasticizer filler reinforced plastic film thermosetting plastic carbon-chain polymer thermoplastic plastic laminate biodegradability microplastics construction printing textile aerospace industry pharmaceutical industry wood chemical industry automotive industry drug electronics

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Laboratory glassware (beakers)

Know Your Chemistry Quiz