You might have heard about how plastic is widely used worldwide, but do you know just how much plastic you use in your daily life? In this article, I will be showing you 45 things that are made of plastic that you probably didn’t know of before.
Plastic is a very versatile material; coupled with the fact that there are so many types of plastic with varying features, it is not difficult to see why it is commonly used to make the things that define our modern civilization as we know it today.
Various products are made of plastic for various reasons; the features found in plastic resins that make them so irresistible include strength, lightweight properties, tear resistance, low flammability, resistance to corrosion, resistance to chemicals, shatter resistance, cold resistance, adhesion ability, temperature resistance, durability, etc.
Now, let me mention some of the products that we can’t do without and yet are made of plastic.
Computers
When I say computers, I am referring to different types of computers. These include desktops, workstations, laptops, etc.
Plastic makes up a good chunk of the computer’s body. PC-ABS (Polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is the most commonly used plastic in making computers.
Aircraft
When you see the public call for a plastic ban, you might be forgiven for thinking that plastic is just something used in packaging - but even your planes and jets have plenty of areas that are made of plastic.
Commonly used plastic resins in the aircraft industry include Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.
HVAC
HVAC, which refers to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space.
These include products such as air conditioners(AC), furnaces, heat pumps, etc. These products also have plastic parts that help in a variety of ways.
Mobile Phones
Well, if you have campaigned for a plastic ban in the past with the aid of your mobile phone, you might want to avoid doing so again since our mobile phones also have plastic components.
Dialysis Machines
A dialysis machine, a critical machine used in the treatment of patients with kidney problems, is just one of the several core medical equipment that rely on plastic to function properly. When you call to ban plastic, remember the patients suffering from kidney diseases.
Bulletproof Vests
Well, by now, your hatred for plastic has probably reduced; but, maybe you are not yet convinced! Well, the knowledge that plastic is the majorly used material in the production of bulletproof vests should change your mind.
Plumbing Pipes
Well, by now, you should be completely convinced that we simply can’t do without plastic, and that plastic is an incredibly useful material in sustaining the modern world as we know it. Now, I will just be adding more facts to cement that.
It is an open secret that plastic pipes are the most common pipes used in plumbing (especially in bringing water into homes). While there are a few other alternatives, plastic pipes are simply the most commonly used - and for good reasons. When you look at the water pipes in your home, it is probably made of plastic.
Plastic Insulated Wires
When you check electrical wires, it is crystal clear that there are plastic coverings on them that hide the metal wires. These plastic coverings serve as insulators that help to protect the wire and us from accidental contact. These wires are used in a variety of ways in our daily life - one of which is bringing electricity into our homes.
Firefighter Vests
A firefighter does exactly what the job title sounds like - he fights fire. But unlike the normal fighting that we do, he fights it by aiming to extinguish the flame. Without being told, it is clear that to successfully “fight” fires without getting hurt themselves, firefighters need to be adequately ready for the challenge. To solve that headache, plastic has yet again come to the rescue - plastic manufacturers must be scratching their heads with all the hate that plastic is getting. Plastic is used to make amazing vests that can aid our lovely firefighters in their tough duel with fire.
Headphones
Imagine trying to receive a call in a park without your headphone, I am sure the experience will not be a memorable one. Well, if you are among those calling for a ban on plastic, that might happen. You see, critics might say that headphones can be made of other materials; but, the reality is that plastic is the most preferred and common material used in the production of headphones.
Parachutes
Well, yet again, plastic to the rescue. Parachutes might not be used by everyone, but they are used by the military and skydivers to ease their fall from the sky. Without these incredibly useful parachutes, a lot of things could go wrong - well, it will not hurt to give some praise to the plastics used to make the parachutes.
Shoes
You probably don’t know that the shoes that you are so proud of are probably made of plastic! You see, shoes can be made of various materials; but, plastic is the most common material used in the production of shoes (including the popular sneakers). You might be surprised to also know that Nike shoes are made of plastic.
Fiber Optic Cables
According to CNBC, “Fiber-based networks make up the majority of the internet's backbone.” In short, fiber optic cables are used to power the majority of the internet. Guess one of the core materials used in its production? Well, I believe you already understood the answer.
Mouse
Well, hold the mouse you use when working on your computer and feel the material that was used to make it. It is crystal clear that plastic is the key material used to produce computer mouses.
Goggles
You might be surprised to know that your proudly adorned goggles were primarily made from plastic! Oops.
Sunglasses
Well, just like the goggles mentioned previously, you might be shocked to discover that your “sunglasses” aren’t made from glass; instead, they are primarily made of plastic.
Space Suits
At this stage, it seems that whenever we need to create something durable, we end up turning to plastic. Space suits, just like firefighter vests, are worn by professionals in extreme situations - which in this case is outer space.
Water Tanks
While water tanks can be made from various materials, plastic is the most commonly used material. In fact, there is a very good chance that if you see a water tank anywhere, it is likely to be a plastic tank. In some countries where the citizens take charge of their own water supply, citizens use water tanks to store water gotten through wells or boreholes. When you look at these tanks, it will be pretty difficult to see any other tank except for plastic tanks.
Tennis Rackets
Well, you might have read that they are majorly made of graphite. Well, graphite is simply the crystalline form of carbon and according to Plasticsmakeitpossible, “Most modern racquets are made with composites, such as plastics combined with carbon fiber, typically called carbon fiber-reinforced plastics.”
Heart Stents
Heart stents are used to treat heart-related diseases. This very crucial medical equipment is made of different materials - one of which is plastic. In fact, today, there are plastic stents made primarily from plastic.
Bank Notes
Depending on where you live, the material used in producing your banknote may differ greatly from others in other areas - but several countries have already adopted the use of plastic banknotes.
Payment Cards
The next time you pick up your credit or debit cards, check to see what material it is made of. When you analyze them very well, it will be very obvious that they are made of plastic. I am not sure you are sincerely ready for a life without your lovely payment cards.
Wind Turbines
Yes. Wind turbines also use plastic. To create the blades of wind turbines, you need glass/carbon fibers infused with plastic to make the blades strong, durable, long-lasting, efficient, and work well.
Electric Sockets
This should be easy to know. Just look at any electrical socket nearby and you can see immediately what material it is made of. The use of plastic in making electrical sockets is likely the reason why electric shock isn’t a pandemic by now; hence, we should speak more nicely of plastic.
Phone Chargers
For our phone chargers to work properly, they are made of several components - one of which is plastic.
Climbing Ropes
Climbing ropes are majorly made of nylon - which is a type of plastic.
Hazmat Suits
Hazmat suits refer to protective suits that are worn against hazardous materials. As usual, when you need a material that can help with protection, you go with plastic. Plastic is one of the core materials used in the creation of hazmat suits.
Helmets
Well, just like many on this list, when you need protection, use plastic. Helmets are not an exception to that rule, and that is because plastic gets the job done effectively.
Supermarket Carts
When you go to a supermarket, you will likely see both metal and plastic shopping carts. Whichever one you then decide to use will be based on your preferences and needs.
Electric Switches
Many times we don’t take note of our environment, hence we miss out on a lot of information. If you check your electric switch now, it is almost certain that you will be looking at plastic.
Electric Extensions
Our useful extensions are just one of the numerous things that need plastic in their components in order to function properly.
Surgical Gloves
Surgical gloves are made of many materials - among which is vinyl (a plastic polymer).
Syringes
Syringes are also made of many materials - the core of which include plastic materials.
Insulin Pens
Plastic is a core material used in the production of insulin pens.
IV Tubes
Yet again, plastic comes in very handy in the medical industry. Plastic is a very important material in manufacturing crucial and lifesaving medical equipment.
Catheters
A catheter, a lifesaving equipment used on people with problems urinating, is another piece of equipment made of plastic.
Inflatable Splints
In an emergency, inflatable splints are crucial to managing limb fractures. This incredible equipment is also made of plastic.
Incubators
Incubators are crucial for newborn babies that need extra care. These incubators are made of plastic.
Boots
Boots are a special type of shoe used for special purposes. While there are other materials that can be used to make it, plastic is still arguably the most used material in the production of boots.
Camera
You know what a camera is, and you also know just how useful it is; but, if you are from the people leading the campaign against plastic, then you likely haven’t noticed that the camera you have used to take the incriminating evidence against plastic is also made of plastic.
Television
Imagine the modern world without television! That will likely be the case if we ban plastic because plastic makes up a high percentage of what the TV is made of.
Refrigerators
Another crucial household appliance that depends on plastic to function properly is the refrigerator. Just imagine our civilization without this incredible appliance.
Carpets and Rugs
Plastic makes up the vast majority of the materials used in the production of carpets and rugs. Without plastic, floor coverings will be vastly different from what we know them to be today.
iPhone 14 Pro Max
Well, this is more like a tongue-in-cheek addition, but it is still true. According to Apple, iPhone 14 pro max was created using 35% or more recycled plastic in 15 components.
Blister Packs
A lot of drugs are packed in a type of packaging called blister packs. These blister packs are crucial to maintaining the effectiveness of the drugs, and also make monitoring drug usage easy. These blister packs are made of plastic.