Before it posed a threat to biodiversity, the oceans, and the global food chain, plastics played a crucial role in saving lives and transforming societies by offering a durable, malleable, and affordable material. Since the 1950s, plastics have been positively regarded 'in all areas of life,' as highlighted by the Plastic Atlas from the Heinrich Boell Foundation. However, as plastic has become an integral part of daily life and global production has surged, concerns have grown about its impact on the planet and human health.

Plastics are indispensable in the healthcare sector, used to manufacture items that enhance hygiene and increase life expectancy, such as single-use catheters, IV bags, and syringes. Condoms, many made from latex, have significantly improved public health by preventing sexually transmitted infections and saving numerous lives. Plastics also dominate packaging, keeping perishable goods fresh and safe, thereby reducing food waste and illnesses from contamination.

Recent studies have delved into the effects of microplastics on human health. Plastic particles measuring between 0.3 and 5 millimeters have been found in human blood, breast milk, and semen. Additionally, plastics have been adapted for new medical uses, including electroactive polymers used in sensors to monitor movement or heart rate. 'Plastic is becoming intelligent, attentive to people,' remarked Mickael Pruvost, a research engineer at Arkema, a company that develops these devices.

Since its inception in the 19th century, plastic has undergone numerous transformations. Early plastics were derived from natural, renewable materials like rubber, discovered by Charles Goodyear. In 1869, celluloid was introduced in the United States, following the invention of Parkesine by an English chemist. Celluloid initially replaced ivory in billiard balls and was used in early cinema film. In 1884, French chemist Hilaire de Chardonnet patented the first artificial silk, which led to the creation of nylon.

The first fully synthetic plastic, free of natural molecules, was invented in 1907 by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland. Known as Bakelite, it resulted from a reaction between phenol and formaldehyde and was used in manufacturing telephones, electrical outlets, and ashtrays. In 1912, German chemist Fritz Klatte patented polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which gained prominence in the 1950s after the discovery of its cheap production from chlorine.

Industrial production of other key plastics from refined petroleum also began around this time, including polyamide, used in US parachutes during the Normandy landing in 1944, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), better known as Teflon, used in non-stick cookware. Silicone, still used today in various products, was another significant development.

With the global population tripling to over eight billion since 1950, plastic production has increased 230-fold to meet demand. Today, 60% of plastic is used for packaging, construction, and transportation, with 10% each in textiles and consumer goods. Only 9% of all plastic is recycled, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, leading to a plastic waste crisis that policymakers are addressing through a treaty currently in its final negotiation stages in South Korea.

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