Plastics are created by mining fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas to form hydrocarbons. Petrochemicals are the result of chemical compounds made by these natural resources which are turned into plastics. These plastics can be sorted into two polymer families, thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics soften when heated and harden when cooled, whereas thermosets do not soften under heat once initially cooled. About three-fourths of plastic products are thermoplastics (HDPE, PET, and EPS Styrofoam), with the rest consisting of thermosets (fiberglass, polyurethanes, and epoxy resin).

This process takes place at petrochemical manufacturing plants and oil refineries. Each step of creating plastic causes vast amounts of pollution. The extraction of fossil fuels, energy-intensive production procedures, and contamination of our natural environments through microplastics called nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets). After the production process, the pollution and emissions continue. Plastic products never fully decompose, only break down into microplastics that become significantly more difficult to manage. Additionally, plastics release ethylene and methane greenhouse gases when sunlight hits them.

Because interacting with plastic is so common in everyday life, there are many methods to reduce usage. Making reusable switches for grocery bags, water bottles, and coffee cups can cut plastic waste substantially. Shopping in bulk with reusable containers, or opting to make more of your grocery staples at home can be helpful.

Being a mindful consumer is key to reducing plastic waste because individuals are not only decreasing personal waste, but making a greater impact when choosing sustainable shopping methods or brands. Buying recycled products is an essential part of a material's cyclical journey and guarantees these plastics a new life. Supporting companies who utilize recycled plastics in their end-products will ensure that recycling can continue to happen. 

Although reduction is the greenest method, reusing plastic products can also be important to mitigate waste. To reuse plastic, upcycling can give single-use plastics another chance to be used. Creating eco bricks from plastic products can sequester plastics and can be used to build furniture, garden beds, and support school infrastructure globally. An eco brick is a densely-packed plastic bottle filled with soft plastics. 

Recycling plastic products is the last line of defense to mitigate waste resulting from plastic materials.