Plastic items have become an integral part of our daily lives. We cannot think of a single day without using plastic. We use these items daily and do not even realize how much we use them. It’s just impossible to think of a day without plastic.
Plastic bags are used in almost all shops, stores, and supermarkets all across the cities or towns where we live. These days, many shops offer paper bags instead of plastic ones, but people still prefer plastic ones because they are cheaper than paper ones and last longer.
In this article, we will be discussing more plastic items we use daily. Let’s go on!
25+ Common Plastic Items That We Use in Our Daily Life
Plastic is a great material with a multitude of uses. We use it for making things such as cups, plates, tampons, water bottles, shampoo bottles, car parts, racquets, sportswear, eyewear, contact lenses, etc.
It can even be used to make food containers and toys. Below are some other examples of the plastic items used in our daily lives:
25 Common Plastic Items That We Use in Our Daily Life
Some of the common plastic items that we interact with everyday include:
1. Food Containers
Plastic food containers are made from various types of plastic, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). PET is commonly used for water and soda bottles, while PP and PS are often used for food containers.
Plastic food containers are popular for their durability, low cost, and convenience. Plus, they are lightweight and portable, making them ideal for takeout food and other on-the-go meals.
However, plastic food containers can have negative environmental impacts. Many types of plastic are not biodegradable, meaning they can persist in the environment for centuries.
Additionally, plastic waste can harm wildlife and ecosystems and contribute to pollution and climate change.
2. Car Parts
Maybe you were not expecting this, but parts are made of plastic. The material can be seen on the steering wheels, dashboards, door panels, and center consoles. The material is also deployed on seat belts and other safety features like airbags, which can help protect you in case of an accident.
3. Sportswear
Sportswear is a new fabric that has been developed in recent years. This fabric is different from others because it is made of plastic, which makes it very light and easy to wear. It also has many benefits that make it a great favorite for many.
For one, sportswear can be used in any season. It does not matter whether it’s hot or cold outside. Sportswear will always keep you warm and comfortable. Plus, you can wear this clothing at home or outdoors, so there are many options for wearing sportswear in your daily life.
4. Racquets
The racquet is the basic equipment for playing tennis, badminton, and squash. It consists of a handle and a head equipped with strings to hit a ball. It’s made of plastic or aluminum alloy, making it light enough to be swung while maintaining its strength.
5. Medical Stents
Well, this isn’t one of the items we interact with daily. However, we still use them, although that happens in hospitals. Medical stents are used in the human body to open an artery or vein narrowed by disease.
Stents are small tubes made of metal or plastic; they can be balloon-expandable or self-expanding. They are inserted into the narrowed blood vessel through a catheter inserted into a vein in the arm or leg.
6. Eyewear
Plastic frames, lenses, and many other components make up modern eyeglasses. While you may not be able to see these materials if you were to remove your glasses, they are there.
The plastic material is usually made of acrylic or polycarbonate. These two plastics offer excellent impact resistance but aren’t as strong as glass regarding sharp impacts.
7. Supermarket Carts
Do you ever take a moment to consider the shopping carts in your local supermarket? Chances are, they’re plastic.
While metal shopping carts have been used since the 1930s and other materials like wood were also used, these days, most of them are made with plastic.
The reason why? Plastic is lightweight compared to other materials. It can also be molded into various shapes and sizes, making it easier for customers to use and store afterwards. Most shopping carts are made with polypropylene (which has better durability) or polyethylene (cheaper).
8. Cutlery and Kitchenware
Plastic cutlery and kitchenware are made of polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer used to make food storage containers, bottles, and other products. It can be recycled in your curbside recycling program if you live in an area with one.
Polypropylene plastic utensils are safe for use in the dishwasher, but they shouldn’t be washed with metal items because they could cause scratches on the surfaces of the utensils or damage them entirely.
9. Computers
Computers, as well as many other electronic products, are composed of various plastics. The types of plastic used for these parts include polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
You will see plastic on the motherboard, outer case, keyboard and keys, mouse, and the case. And that’s not even counting all the cables.
10. Cellphone
Take a look at your phone. See the plastic material of the casing? Well, cell phones are the other everyday items that use plastic, and that’s because of their durability. Plus, plastic can be molded into different shapes.
Even more, the material, especially the specific type used in cellphones, can withstand high temperatures without degrading or melting away, as some other materials would do in such circumstances.
And, of course, that’s not to ignore the fact that plastic is also lightweight and costs much less, making it an ideal material for manufacturing these devices. It easily fits into our pockets without weighing us down too much.
11. Tennis Ball
Tennis balls are made of plastic. The little white line on the tennis court is a synthetic rubber called polyurethane made from petroleum byproducts.
When these two elements are mixed and heated at high temperatures, they become hard polymer plastic that bounces well and can be used for many years.
12. Gym Tiles
Gym tiles are plastic tiles that can be laid over the floor of a gymnasium. They are widely used worldwide in schools, community centers, and health clubs.
Also, gym tiles come in various colors and patterns, so you can choose the ones that match your workout space best. You can even find different sizes to fit them into any space.
13. Golf Balls
See that white, hard, roughly-textured tennis ball? Well, it’s made of plastic! Golf balls are made of thermoplastic resin, a type of plastic. Golf balls are used in the game of golf, which is played on golf courses around the world.
These balls are used to play golf, requiring great accuracy and precision. A golf ball consists of a solid core surrounded by a layer of rubber-like material. The core comprises several layers of plastic and rubber that are compressed under high pressure.
14. Water Bottles
Water bottles are one of the most popular plastic items in the modern world. We use them to store and carry our water, which can be found virtually everywhere.
The most common type is made from plastic, which is why we call it a plastic water bottle. The material used to make these bottles is usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but other plastics are also available for this product.
Plastic water bottles are usually used for storing or carrying liquids such as water, juice, or soda. They can also be used as drinking glasses by adding a cap and a straw.
15. Shampoo Bottles
Shampoo bottles are one of the most common plastic items we use daily and are usually found in the bathroom and the kitchen. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Plastic shampoo bottles are made from different types of plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
16. Traffic Cones
Traffic cones are used in road construction and maintenance. They are placed on the road to direct traffic around a construction site or block off a lane under repair. The cones can be made of plastic, fiberglass, or rubber.
Traffic cones can be found on construction sites, at parking lots or shopping malls, or even in your driveway if someone is doing construction work there. They come in many shapes and sizes and are usually made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
17. Trash Bags
Trash bags are a common plastic item that we use in our daily lives. We use them to hold trash until we can take it out to the curb for pickup.
Trash bags also keep items clean by covering them up and protecting them from dust or other debris. Trash bags are usually made from plastic and often come in different sizes.
18. Countertops
You may not know plastic countertops are used in kitchens and bathrooms. Countertops can be made from several materials, including wood, stone, or metal.
However, the most common material used for countertops is polyethylene or polypropylene plastic. These plastics are strong enough to withstand heavy use and easy to clean. They can even be cleaned with soap and water.
19. Cigarette Butts
Cigarette butts are a common plastic item used in our daily lives. Cigarette butts are one of the most littered on Earth and are not biodegradable. They are made of cellulose acetate, a plastic that doesn’t break down quickly.
20. Teabags
Teabags are also the most famous item that we use every day. It is a handy and common household item, yet most people don’t even realize they’re made of plastic. The plastic material is generally a thin film of polypropylene or polyethylene.
21. Tampons
Plastic makes tampons because it is cheap, strong, and easy to work with. The most common type of plastic used in tampons is polypropylene. This plastic is made from petroleum and can be recycled at the end of its life cycle.
22. Wet Wipes
Wet wipes are a staple for many households. They are great for cleaning up messy kids, wiping up spills and messes, and generally keeping the place tidy.
But did you know that these handy little wipes contain plastic?
That’s correct and the plastic used in wet wipes is a type of polyester called low-density polyethylene (LDPE), used in grocery bags, trash bags, and more.
23. Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are plastic and can be worn for a few weeks. They are often used to correct vision problems but can also be worn for aesthetic reasons.
24. Toothpaste
You may not have thought about it, but toothpaste is a common plastic product we use daily. Toothpaste often contains microbeads and the plastic lining of the tube itself. These small pieces of plastic are called microplastics, causing problems in our oceans.
Toothpaste is not the only thing we should be worried about; their products contain microplastics in their packaging or makeup. The best way to avoid these products is by researching what goes into each one before buying it.
25. Cleaning supplies
Plastic is a good material for cleaning products because it does not affect the smell or taste of food, which some chemicals do. Plastic containers are also lightweight and don’t break easily when dropped (which can happen when you’re busy cleaning).
26. Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are everyday items made of plastic, often using materials like polypropylene or polyethylene for their bristles and handles. These plastics are chosen because they are durable, lightweight, and water-resistant, making them suitable for the job.
The handle of a toothbrush is usually made of hard plastic for sturdiness, while the bristles are softer plastic to be gentle on our teeth and gums. Plastic toothbrushes are popular because they’re affordable and hygienic and can easily be replaced when needed.
However, plastic toothbrushes can contribute to environmental issues when not disposed of properly, which has led to the development of eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo toothbrushes to reduce plastic waste.
27. Pens
Pens are writing instruments commonly made of plastic materials due to their affordability, lightweight nature, and ease of mass production. The outer casing and often the ink cartridge are made of plastic, which comes in various colors and designs.
While plastic pens are convenient and widely used, they can contribute to plastic waste if not disposed of responsibly. Some eco-friendly options use recycled or biodegradable materials to mitigate environmental impact.
Conclusion
Plastic is one of the materials that has been used for decades and will continue to be used in the future. It is one of the most suitable materials that we have ever invented. Also, plastic makes our lives easier because it is durable and easy to use.
