What Is Plastic

Plastics: their uses, impacts, and alternatives.

Plastic Society

What is Plastic?

History

The first man-made plastic was parkesine which was derived from cellulose and was invented by Alexander Parkes in the 1860s.

This sparked the plastics era. Many different types of plastics were discovered for many different uses. From celluloid to, replace ivory, to PVC and Rayon; all before the 1900s. The 20th century brought such innovations as cellophane, polyethylene, saran wrap, styrofoam, vinyl and nylon.

Chemical Structure

Plastic is a polymer. Every plastic has a hydrocarbon backbone that is attached to various elements that gives the plastic its chemical identity, whether is rayon, Teflon, saran, etc.

Uses

Plastic is used in nearly every aspect of peoples’ everyday lives. Here is just a brief list of possibilities:

· Toiletries & Utensils

· Hunting and fishing products

· Packaging

· Prosthetics

· Aid-of-living products for Seniors

· Transportation

· Electronics

· Space program

· Entertainment Industry

Plastics are used everywhere