Here’s a conversation we had with a client last month that perfectly captures the confusion around plastic:

“We want completely plastic-free packaging,” they said confidently.

“Great,” we replied. “So you’re comfortable with PLA bioplastic made from corn?”

“Wait, that’s still plastic?”

“Technically, yes.”

“What about silicone? That’s natural, right?”

“It comes from sand, but it’s processed with synthetic compounds, so…”

“Okay, cellophane then. That’s definitely not plastic.”

“Well, that depends on who you ask.”

You can see the issue. When we say “plastic is bad,” we’re making a really complicated subject too simple. That’s why it can be hard to choose “eco-friendly” or “plastic-free” packaging. Some polymers are recyclable, while others are not. One material looks natural but behaves like plastic, another is plant-based but still counts as plastic, and some plastics are recyclable while others aren’t at all.

You need to be clear to make smart decisions. What is plastic made of? Is it able to be used again? What materials are really good for the environment, and what ones merely seem good? This guide makes things easy.

Quick Answer: What is Plastic Made of?

Plastic is basically a polymer, which is a lengthy chain of repeating molecules (monomers) that are connected. Most plastics that are sold in stores start as tiny molecules, such as ethylene or propylene, that come from fossil fuels. Polymerization is the process that links those molecules together to produce polymers like PE, PET, PP, PVC, and PS. So, if someone asks, “What is plastic made of?” you can say that it is made of simple hydrocarbons that have been turned into long-chain molecules and then produced into films, bottles, fibers, and other things.

What is a Plastic Material?

In general, a plastic substance is any synthetic (or semi-synthetic) polymer that may be shaped or molded. That includes:

• Traditional, petroleum-based plastics (LDPE, HDPE, PET, PP, PS)
• Some plant-derived polymers (like PLA) that behave like plastics
• Silicone and certain rubberized materials (often treated like plastics in use)

Why should you care? It’s easy to get confused when you say something is “plastic-free” or “eco” without being clear about what you mean. This can even lead to greenwashing. If you don’t manage them appropriately, materials that look eco-friendly (like plant-based films) might nonetheless act like plastics in the environment.

Is Plastic Non-Renewable? Is Plastic a Natural Resource?

Petroleum and natural gas are fossil fuels that took millions of years to develop. Traditional polymers come from these fuels. Yes, plastic is not renewable in the usual sense since we use it up far faster than we make it. In short:

• Is plastic non-renewable? Yes, most of the world’s plastics are made from fossil fuels that can’t be replaced.
• Is plastic a natural resource? No, plastics are made of materials. Even bio-based plastics are turned into polymers.

But here’s the twist: scientists can now make plastics from things that can be grown again, like corn, sugarcane, potatoes, and even seaweed. These bio-based plastics employ basic resources that can be replaced, but that doesn’t mean they are good for the environment. Bioplastics, like PLA, are made from plant sugars and come from renewable resources.

Common Petroleum-Based Plastics

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) – Your standard water bottles and food containers. PET is the most popular type of plastic used for clear packaging around the world. In 2025, the market was worth $94.95 billion and is expected to grow to $162.19 billion by 2034.

LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) – Soft, flexible plastic that we utilize to make our polybags at Elements Branding Solutions. Soft, clear, and great for packing clothes.

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) – Harder, translucent plastic with a milky appearance. Common in supermarket bags and containers.

PP (Polypropylene) – Versatile plastic that may be used for a wide range of things, such as food containers and car parts. Expected to have a significant CAGR growth rate between 2025 and 2034.

Polystyrene – Found in foam packaging and disposable food containers.

All of these are made from non-renewable petroleum sources.

Plant-Based “Eco-Friendly” Plastics

PLA (Polylactic Acid) – Made from fermented plant starches, such as corn. It looks and feels just like regular plastic, but it comes from materials that can be used again.

Bio-PET – Similar to regular PET but partially or fully derived from plant materials.

PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) – Produced by microorganisms and fully biodegradable under the right conditions.

Starch-Based Materials – Derived from potatoes or corn, these can be blended with other polymers.

The market for biodegradable or “eco-friendly” plastic reached $3.27 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to rise 9.4% each year, which means it will double by 2027. That’s a huge increase because of what people want and what the law says.

How Big is The Plastic Problem and Why It’s Complicated

Since the 1950s, the globe has made more than 8 billion tonnes of plastic, according to a commonly used study. A minor part of that huge amount is recycled, a significant part has been burned for energy, and most of it has ended up in landfills or the environment. That’s why so much effort is going into making recycling systems better, creating things to be circular, and employing eco-friendly plastic materials when they really assist.

Important point: recyclability depends on local infrastructure. If the local system doesn’t accept it, an item that can be recycled (like some films) can nevertheless end up as trash.

Here’s the sobering part: only around 30% of that plastic is still being used today. About 12% has been burned, just 9% has been recycled, and 79% has gone to landfills and the environment.

According to a 2022 study by the U.S. Department of Energy, 86% of plastic trash ends up in landfills, 9% gets burned for energy, and only 5% is truly recycled. This problem is caused only by Americans, who recycle just about 8.7% of the plastic they use.

What Counts as an Eco-Friendly Plastic Material?

“Eco-friendly” is a spectrum. Here are the main categories and their tradeoffs:

1. Recycled plastics (PCR, rPET, rLDPE, etc.)

• Uses post-consumer or post-industrial content.
• Usually reduces virgin fossil use and can lower GHGs vs. new resin.
• Practical, scalable, and often the clearest sustainability win for packaging.

2. Bioplastics (bio-PE, PLA, PHA, etc.)

• Made from plant feedstocks instead of oil.
• Can reduce fossil-carbon inputs, but may require industrial composting.
• Risk: contamination of recycling streams if not sorted properly.

3. Biodegradable/compostable plastics

• Engineered to break down under certain conditions (often in industrial composters).
• Not a cure-all — they need proper disposal and can be contaminants in conventional recycling.

4. Advanced/chemical recycling

• Breaks polymers into monomers for remanufacture.
• Promising for mixed or contaminated waste, but still scaling and energy-intensive.

The best way for most firms to go is to put recycled content first (ask for %PCR), make sure the packaging can be recycled (stay away from mixed laminates), and ask suppliers for LCAs or carbon data when the carbon footprint is a top priority.

Practical Checklist for Picking Plastics (For Packaging Teams)

When evaluating materials, use this quick checklist:

• Does your region accept this material in recycling? (Yes/No)
• Can you specify a high %PCR without performance loss? (e.g., 30%–100%)
• Is the product moisture-sensitive or returned frequently (favor durable plastic)?
• Do you need compostability or recyclability at end-of-life? (clarify local options)
• Ask the supplier for an LCA or carbon intensity data.
• Avoid multilayer laminates when possible (they’re hard to recycle).

Common Myths Busted

• “All bioplastics are better.” Not always. Some bioplastics have lower production emissions but need special disposal; others may compete with food crops.
• “If something is compostable, it’s OK to litter.” No — compostable plastics need industrial composters (unless explicitly certified for home compost).
• “Recycled plastic is weak.” Modern PCR can meet most functional needs; quality depends on sorting and processing.

Quick Brand Strategy: Plastics + Packaging

If you’re choosing packaging for a product line, follow this tiered approach:

1. Right-size the pack (less material = lower impact).
2. Use PCR where possible (mailers, polybags, bottles).
3. Make packaging recyclable (single material, clear labels).
4. Request LCA data for major SKUs to compare paper vs. plastic tradeoffs.
5. Pilot alternatives (small runs of bioplastic, compostable options) and measure post-consumer outcomes.

Making Informed Choices for Your Brand with Elements Branding Solutions

We at Elements Branding Solutions are here to help you make sense of these tough decisions. We’ll give you clear information on what each option truly means for your products and the earth, whether you need recyclable plastic packaging materials, paper-based alternatives, or a mix of the two.

Are you ready to talk about your packaging choices without the greenwashing? Let’s speak about ways to make your products, your consumers, and the environment better for everyone.

FAQs