Quizzes

What Do You Know About Plastic?

Whether you’re a curious consumer or a sustainability enthusiast, you’ll uncover surprising facts and maybe even see plastic in a whole new light.

Shai K. 4/3/2025

Plastic is everywhere—from the chairs we sit on to the containers in our kitchens. But how much do you really know about its origins, evolution, and impact on the world? This 13-question quiz dives into the fascinating history and everyday uses of plastic, as well as the environmental challenges it poses. Whether you’re a curious consumer or a sustainability enthusiast, you’ll uncover surprising facts and maybe even see plastic in a whole new light. Ready to test your knowledge and uncover the story behind this ubiquitous material?

What material is commonly referred to as the first synthetic plastic?

Nylon

Bakelite

Teflon

Polyvinyl

Which industry was one of the first to widely adopt plastic for mass production?

Automotive

Furniture

Clothing

Toy manufacturing

What was the original use of celluloid, an early plastic-like material?

Tupperware

Hairbrushes

Film for photography and movies

Kitchen tiles

Which plastic was famously used to make Tupperware in the 1940s and 50s?

Polystyrene

Nylon

Polyethylene

PVC

What plastic is commonly used in plumbing pipes?

PET

Nylon

PVC

ABS

The term “plastic” comes from a Greek word meaning what?

Synthetic

Transparent

Durable

Moldable

In what type of packaging is PET plastic most commonly found?

Plastic bags

Soda bottles

Bubble wrap

Grocery containers

Which plastic became famous for its shatterproof use in eyeglasses and DVDs?

Acrylic

Polycarbonate

Polyethylene

Teflon

What is the average time it takes for a plastic bottle to decompose in nature?

5 years

2000 years

100 years

450 years

Which continent has led the charge in banning single-use plastic bags in recent years?

Europe

North America

Asia

Africa

What term describes small plastic particles under 5mm, often found in oceans?

Mini plastics

Microbeads

Microplastics

Nano-waste

These types of plastics are the smallest of all, and are recently found in large amounts in every human body?

Nanoplastics

SS (super small) Plastics

Invisible plastics

Minoplastics

What plastic-based synthetic fiber became a fashion staple in the disco era for its stretch and shimmer?

Polyester

Spandex

Rayon

Acrylic

Not bad, but not great

Hey, no worries! Plastic is surprisingly complicated—and that’s what makes learning about it so rewarding. You may not have aced the quiz, but you’ve taken a great first step toward understanding how deeply plastic touches our lives. From early inventions to today’s environmental debates, there’s a whole world to explore. Give the quiz another shot, or just keep your eyes open the next time you reach for that soda bottle or takeout container. Knowledge is recyclable too...

Knowledgable

Nice job—you’re on your way to becoming a plastic pro! You got a good chunk of the history and applications right, and you’ve got a growing awareness of how plastic shapes our world—for better and worse. With a bit more reading or curiosity, you’ll be ready to take on the full sustainability debate. Keep asking questions, and don’t be afraid to flip over a container and check that recycling number. You’re making progress!

Nothing plastic about your knowledge!

Impressive! You really know your polymers from your PET. You clearly have a solid grasp of plastic’s history, everyday uses, and the environmental issues tied to it. Whether you’re a trivia buff or an eco-minded shopper, your knowledge is as durable as the material itself. Keep spreading awareness and digging into the details—plastic may be everywhere, but informed people like you are key to shaping its future. Nice work!