What is PLASTIC? "Plastic" is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of materials made from semi-synthetic or synthetic organic compounds. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) defines plastics as "polymeric materials that may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce cost". These highly malleable materials can be molded into solid objects of a multitude of shapes and sizes. Plastic is made from oil, petrol, natural gas and coal (non-renewable resources). The