Plastic fantastic?

In the early 1900s, a new wonder material began to appear in our homes.

Cheap and colourful, lightweight and hard-wearing, plastic was an exciting modern phenomenon. By the late 1900s, we relied on plastic every day.

But plastic has had significant impacts on the environment.

Discover how plastic has shaped our lives. Explore ideas such as reducing, reusing and recycling.

Discover the history, impact and future of plastics. Admire vibrant objects from a time when plastic promised a better life.

Find out what you can do to help the plastic problem today.