Plastics Information Sheet

History may view plastics as one of the most important technical developments of the 20th century. Plastics have opened the way for new inventions and have replaced other materials in existing products. They are light, durable and versatile, resistant to moisture, chemicals and decay, yet these properties can also bring problems. For example, of one believes that degradability is a required characteristic of waste, then plastics do not perform well. This information sheet defines the term "plastic", then goes on to describe the main types, its manufacture, environmental impact, and talks about plastics waste management and resource recovery.