Plastics were invented in the 18th century and began to become widespread in general in the second half of the 20th century, due to their low weight, flexibility, affordability and durability. Plastic materials have benefits. However, plastics are difficult to decompose and their toxicity poses a major threat. They tend to pollute our environment for centuries.

The main ingredients for making plastics are crude oil, coal and natural gas - fossil materials (materials that have been formed through the decomposition and compaction of the remains of plants and animals from prehistoric times).

The raw material is refined to remove unwanted particles. After that, the plastic undergoes a process called polymerization: the process of reacting monomer molecules together in a chemical reaction to form a three-dimensional network, like nothing else in nature. That is why plastic is an artificial material (non-organic) so it cannot decompose naturally. Different polymers are melted, mixed and turned into pellets which can be molded into different items as required by the manufacturer.

Single-use plastics are all plastics normally used for packaging plastic and other items that are intended to be used only once before being thrown away.

The most commonly used single-use plastics include plastic bags, plastic bottles and cups, plastic packaging for food and other goods, plastic sachets, plastic straws, and plastic food containers (including Styrofoam shells). However, there are also other PSPs such as Styrofoam trays and Styrofoam cups, plastic coated rice paper packaging, disposable plastic cutlery, plastic tableware, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, and wet wipes.