Positives of Plastic
Plastic is used to manufacture essential products and materials that enhance our daily lives and foster a circular economy.
Plastic helps protect the planet by lowering emissions, conserving resources, and enabling innovation across industries.
Plastic is lightweight, energy-efficient to produce, and vital in extending food freshness, improving fuel economy, and advancing sustainable construction. Bioplastics made from renewable sources offer even more eco-friendly options. With over 5 billion pounds of plastic recycled annually in the U.S.7https://plasticsrecycling.org/ and $190 billion invested globally in circular solutions8https://www.packagingdive.com/news/plastics-circularity-data-investments-recycling/724764/ , plastic is key to building a cleaner, more efficient, and job-creating circular economy.9 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c05191
Plastic empowers people – creating jobs, advancing innovation, and strengthening communities across the U.S.
The plastics industry supports over 1 million American workers and operates in all 50 states, with Texas, Ohio, and California leading in employment. In 2024, the industry generated $551 billion in shipments and maintained a trade surplus of nearly $1 billion. Beyond manufacturing, plastic drives growth in research, recycling, and skilled trades, offering stable, high-paying careers. From engineers and technicians to educators and community volunteers, the people behind plastic are building a more sustainable and resilient future.
Plastic is essential to daily life – enhancing safety, advancing innovation, and supporting critical industries from healthcare to national security.
From medical devices and emergency response equipment to construction materials and consumer goods, plastics play a vital role in improving efficiency, reliability, and protection across various sectors.