ABSTRACT
Plastics are now used in everything from the packaging of food and medical supplies to communication devices and even clothing. Rapid growth in the use of plastics over the last century has seen the production of plastics surpass all other man-made materials except steel and cement. The durability of plastics when combined with its limited recapture and reuse of materials has resulted in a growing problem. Plastics are cheap to produce, lightweight yet strong, and can be flexible and durable. The appropriate disposal of plastic waste presents challenges to municipalities around the world, particularly in countries with limited resources or substandard waste management infrastructure. Consumers are often surprised at the low global rates of plastic recycling. Marine organisms are impacted by plastic pollution via entanglement and ingestion. Plastic packaging doesn’t simply contain food and beverages, but has also enabled the emergence of new markets.
