♻️ 10 Surprising Facts About Plastic You Might Not Know!

1. Plastic is just over 100 years old.

The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland.

2. We produce over 400 million tons each year.

And sadly, much of it becomes single-use plastic waste.

3. Plastic can take hundreds of years to break down.

Depending on the type, it can last anywhere from 20 to 500+ years in landfills or the ocean.

4. The Pacific Ocean has a plastic "island."

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a floating mass of plastic debris, estimated to be twice the size of Texas!

5. Plastic is made from fossil fuels.

Most plastics come from petroleum or natural gas, linking them directly to climate change.

6. Microplastics are everywhere.

Tiny plastic particles have been found in drinking water, sea salt, and even the air we breathe.

7. Recycling rates are still low.

Only about 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled — the rest ends up in landfills, incinerated, or polluting nature.

8. There are thousands of types of plastic.

Not all plastics can be recycled in the same way, which makes recycling more complicated.

9. Plastic changed medicine and technology.

From disposable syringes to lightweight prosthetics and smartphones, plastic has revolutionized modern life.

10. Bioplastics might be the future.

Researchers are developing plastics from corn, sugarcane, algae, and even mushrooms that could break down faster.

🌱 Which fact surprised you most?
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