Explain why plastic containers are favoured for storing food.

1. Plastic containers are heavily used in the packaging industry.
2. Plastic has replaced traditional materials like paperboard, wood, and metals.
3. Plastic is easy to handle and safe to use.

[Extra information: Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are malleable and so can be molded into solid objects.

Plastics are made from natural materials such as cellulose, coal, natural gas, salt, and crude oil through polymerization or polycondensation process.

We need plastics because it is durable and provides protection from contaminants and the elements. It reduces food waste by preserving food and increasing its shelf life. It protects food against pests, microbes, and humidity. As plastics are not degraded easily, they can remain for a long period of time. Plastic pollution on land poses a threat to plants and animals – including humans who are based on the land. Chlorinated plastic can release harmful chemicals into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into groundwater or other surrounding water sources and also the ecosystem of the world.]