More than 100 years after its invention, we’re addicted. The world was first introduced to what is now known as plastic in 1907, and has used it ever since. A BRIEF HISTORY OF HOW PLASTIC HAS CHANGED OUR WORLD. Polymers abound in nature. There has been no material more revolutionary than modern plastic. What features of plastic make them better than wood, rubber, metal, stone or glass? Both durable and cheap, plastic was being churned out of factories at unprecedented rates during the second world war. Plastic: How it Changed the World. Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives. A water bottle may only be used for a few minutes but will take years to decompose. How has the widespread availability of plastics in the last 50 years changed society? Bakelite is a product formed from a reaction of phenol and formaldehyde. This initiative is about creating better livelihoods for the urban poor while keeping plastic out of the ocean. Here are 7 ways how hemp plastic could change our planet. 1. Plastics For Change has developed a marketplace platform that connects waste-pickers to global markets and ensures a consistent supply of high quality recycled plastic for brands. A Brief History of How Plastic Has Changed Our World We’re addicted to plastic. An Introduction to Plastics. From the hip: Economically: As Xander mentioned, they are cheap and versatile. Whilst we looked previously in this entry at the plastic waste generation in countries across the world, it’s also important to understand how plastic waste is traded across the world. Recycled plastic waste is now a product within the global commodity market — it is sold and traded across the world. To envision the magnitude of our water pollution from plastic, you need to see the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. But how did the world become so dependent on it in the first place? Although Parkesine is considered the first man-made plastic, Bakelite is the first plastic that became popular in the early 1900’s. How have plastics changed the world? From contact lenses to aeroplanes, Tupperware to swimsuits, plastics innovations have improved our everyday lives and made modern life easier, cheaper and faster.