Plastic Soup Foundation
  • The issue
      • Plastic Soup
      • What is plastic?
      • Plastic in the environment
      • Harm to animals
      • Health effects
      • Regulations
      • Facts & Figures
  • What we do
      • Health
      • Microplastics
      • Education
      • Plastic Waste
      • Other Projects
  • What you can do
      • As a consumer
      • As an organization
      • As a school
  • Solutions
  • News
  • Donate
  • NL
  • EN
  • Bogus solutions
  • Responsibilities
  • Sustainable development
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

The Issue

You are here: The Issue What is plastic?

What is plastic?

It was more than a century ago when the Belgian-American chemist Leo Baekeland developed Bakelite: the first mass-produced synthetic plastic. Now, there are countless types of plastic with all possible properties. If you want to know what plastic is and learn more about its properties, read on:

Monomers & Polymers

Plastic comes in all shapes and sizes, flexible or not, and is made of large molecules called polymers. Read more about the properties of plastic.

What are bioplastics?

What are bioplastics? The term itself is very confusing because there are different types of bioplastics, some biodegradable and some not.

Plastic additives & BPA

BPA, plastic additives and endocrine-disruptive chemicals are widely added to plastic items we use every day. But with what effects on our health?

Recycling codes

What do recycling codes and symbols mean and can plastic be recycled? Learn more about the recycling numbers and how much plastic is actually recycled.

Toxicity and pathogens

Plastic contains and carries pollutants and chemicals found in the environment. Plastic can also carry disease and bacteria. So how toxic is it?

Go to

  • Plastic soup
  • What is plastic?
  • Plastic in the environment
  • Harm to animals
  • Health effects
  • Regulations
  • Bogus solutions
  • Responsibilities
  • Sustainable Development
  • Facts and figures

About us

  • Frontrunners
  • Mission & Vision
  • Our People
  • Working with Us
  • Annual Reports
  • Inquiries Press
  • Newsletter

Our approach

  • Plastic Soup Angels
  • Funds & Partners
  • Ambassadors
  • Plastic Soup Awards
  • Plastic Soup Atlas
  • Facts & Figures
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • LinkedIn

  • YouTube

  • Contact

 
© Copyright - Plastic Soup Foundation
Scroll to top

Going on holiday this winter? Book your holiday on Booking.com using our special link and 7% will be donated to support our campaigns!

Support our mission

Help us stop the plastic pandemic before it is too late.

Your donation will directly support our work and campaigns.

Donate now!

Join the Plastic Health Summit

Join us at the Plastic Health Summit on October 21 to discuss how plastic affects both environmental and human health. 

Ticket prices are reduced until the 13th of October – Don’t miss out!

Get your tickets now!

Join World Cleanup Day!

On Saturday 18th of September, join the biggest cleanup event of the year!

Sign up now and invite your friends, family or colleagues: together, we make a difference!

Join now!