plastics

Bakelite and acrylic

Plastics are synthetic materials made from polymers that can be molded into shape.

The word covers an enormous range of manufactured substances—from rigid PVC pipes to flexible food wrap to the polymers in clothing.

As an adjective, plastic means moldable or artificial: plastic surgery reshapes tissue; a plastic smile looks fake.

The noun also refers to credit cards: Do you take plastic?

pollution

microplastics

Sub-5mm synthetic environmental particles

oceanMassive saltwater body
landfillWaste burial ground
debrisScattered broken fragments

contamination · marine · garbage · litter · single-use · nonbiodegradable · waste · ecosystem · wildlife · leachate

materials

polyethylene

Thermoplastic from ethylene gas

polypropyleneVersatile thermoplastic resin
polystyreneLightweight synthetic foam plastic
PVCChlorinated plastic abbreviation

nylon · acrylic · polyester · polycarbonate · ABS · PET · thermosetting · resin · elastomer · epoxy

properties

moldable

Capable of being shaped

flexibleAble to bend freely
durableAble to withstand use
lightweightLacking mass or importance

waterproof · shatterproof · impact-resistant · heat-resistant · transparent · rigid · pliable · nonporous · insulating · corrosion-resistant

sustainability

biodegradable

Able to decompose naturally

compostableAble to decompose naturally
plant-basedSourced from flora
renewableCapable of restoration

ecofriendly · cornstarch · sustainability · green · alternative · reduction · reusable · refillable · zero-waste

manufacturing

extrusion

Pushing through a die

thermoformingShaping softened plastic sheets
castingShaping through liquid form
pelletsSmall compressed spheres

granules · additives · stabilizer · colorant · mold · die · tooling · curing · calendering · lamination

recycling

sorting

Arranging into sequence

reprocessingHandling material again
pelletsSmall compressed spheres
shreddingCutting into thin pieces

reclaim · downcycle · upcycle · curbside · collection · baler · flakes · regrind · post-consumer · extrusion

Categories

man-madebuildings, cars, planes, boats, trains
inventionsprinting press, steam engine, lightbulb, light bulb, microscope
traded goodscommodities, raw materials, consumer goods, gold, silver
Chemical Industrychemical engineering, chemical manufacturing, chemical plants, industrial chemistry, petrochemicals
organic compoundshydrocarbon, alcohol, alkane, ethane, propane
marine pollutionoil spills, chemical spills, fuel spills, industrial waste, toxic waste

Opposites

material composition

plasticsnatural materials

Substances from nature unprocessed

wood · glass · ceramics · stone · paper

biodegradability

plasticsbiodegradables

Substances that decompose naturally

biodegradable materials · compostables · organics · compostable materials · natural fibers

environmental symbolism

plasticssustainability

Capacity to endure indefinitely

natural materials · zero-waste · eco-friendly materials · renewables

Phrases

plastic bagThin film carrier
plastic wrapThin clingy food covering
plastic bottlesMolded polymer drink vessels
plastic moneyNon-cash payment cards
plastic surgeryBody reconstruction medicine
plastic cupDisposable drinking vessel

Family

plastic, plasticity, plasticizer, plasticize, bioplastics, thermoplastic, bioplastic, plasticizers, thermoplastics

Familiarity: Top 20,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G