What are plastics and where do they come from?
Understand the Problem
The passage is an informative overview about plastics, discussing their definition, origins, historical context, and the challenges related to recycling. It aims to educate readers on the prevalence of plastics and their impact on the environment.
Answer
Plastics come from crude oil, natural gas, coal, and cellulose.
Plastics are synthetic materials typically derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, and certain natural materials like cellulose.
Answer for screen readers
Plastics are synthetic materials typically derived from crude oil, natural gas, coal, and certain natural materials like cellulose.
More Information
Plastics are primarily synthetic polymers made through processes such as polymerization. Key sources are fossil fuels like crude oil and natural gas, making them cost-effective. Alternative sources include coal and certain biomaterials like cellulose.
Tips
Common mistakes include assuming all plastics are the same and misunderstanding the difference between synthetic and biobased plastics.
Sources
- Plastics explained - plasticseurope.org
- Where does plastic come from? | Plastics For Change - plasticsforchange.org
- How Is Plastic Made? A Simple Step-By-Step Explanation - bpf.co.uk
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