While the first plastics were still a niche phenomenon in the second half of the 19th century and were intended to replace special natural materials such as ivory and silk, the invention of Bakelite, PVC and polyethylene in the 20th century marked the beginning of the spread of plastic into many areas of life. Since then, plastic has been regarded as cheap to produce, stylish and flexible in terms of hardness, appearance and elasticity. The negative effects of chemical additives such as plasticizers, flame retardants and dyes were ignored for a long time. The enormous volume of plastic items that end up in the environment as disposable products also makes plastics not only a resource, but also a danger.

On April 22, Earth Day 2024 , with the motto "Planet vs. Plastics", is a reminder of global plastic pollution and its impact on the climate and calls for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040.

To mark the occasion, we would like to take a look at the hated all-rounder that is plastic: What are plastics, how can they be recycled and how can I reduce my plastic consumption in everyday life?