Weuseplasticwraptoprotectourfoods.Weputourgarbageinplasticbagsorplasticcans.Wesitonplasticchairs,playwithplastictoys,drinkfromplasticcups,andwashourhairwithshampoofromplasticbottles!
Plasticdoesnotgrowinnature.Itismadebymixingcertainthingstogether.Wecallitaproducedormanufacturedmaterial.Plasticwasfirstmadeinthe1860sfromplants,suchaswoodandcotton.Thatplasticwassoftandburnedeasily.
Thefirstmodernplasticsweremadeinthe1930s.Mostclearplasticstartsoutasthick,blackoil.Thatplasticcoatinginsideapanbeginsasnaturalgas.
Overtheyears,hundredsofdifferentplasticshavebeendeveloped.Somearehardandstrong.Somearesoftandbendable.Someareclear.Somearemany-colored.Thereisaplasticforalmosteveryneed.Scientistscontinuetoexperimentwithplastics.Theyhopetofindevenwaystousethem!