While plastics have had a history of innovation, particularly in supporting areas like healthcare and food preservation, plastic pollution is a growing crisis.

Responding to this, a United Nations resolution of March 2022 called for urgent action to end plastic pollution globally. It led to the creation of an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to tackle this issue.

As governments and other key stakeholders gather in Ottawa this April for INC-4, the negotiations must be pursued with urgency and ambition.

The need to develop a circular economy for plastics is ever-pressing—a system that preserves natural resources and reduces waste while keeping valuable materials in use through more efficient production, design, use, reuse, and recycling.

Hence, creating a policy environment that enables circularity is indispensable in ending plastic pollution globally.

Plastics in Our Daily Lives

Whether you’re hydrating with a refreshing sip of water, staying in touch with friends and family, enjoying the comforts of home, or nourishing your body with fresh food, plastics play a crucial role in your everyday life. Of course, not all plastics are created equal, and different applications call for different properties. Learn more about the various types of plastic and their particular applications and benefits.

Hanger

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN, PNMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Window

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, ABS,SAN, PMMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics.

Backpack

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN, PNMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Computer

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Tablet

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Carpet

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN, PNMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Chair

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, ABS,SAN, PMMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics.

Headset

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Phone

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Mattress

PUR, PA, PET

Sneakers

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN, PNMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Microwave

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Garbage bin

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN, PNMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Coffee machine

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Dishwasher

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Detergent container

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, PET

Fridge

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Flooring

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, ABS,SAN , PMMA, PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR), Other thermoplastics

Food packaging

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, PET

Washing machine

PE-LD, -LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PVC, PET, ABS,SAN , PA, PC, PUR, Other thermosets (excl.PUR) , Other thermoplastics

Packaging

PE-LD,-LLD, PE-HD,-MD, PP, PS, PS-E, PVC, PET

To know more about the different types of plastics, click here.