Plastic is a general term for a wide variety of organic materials that can be molded into various shapes, including solid, hollow, and fiber-like. In addition to this, it is commonly used to describe any manufactured material that is composed of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds. It is the general term for any material that is manufactured using organic materials, and is used in the production of various products, including clothing, paper, and plastic. It is also used in the production of some medicines and food products.

The word "plastic" was first used in this context in 1859 by an Englishman named John Wise. He used the word in the context of a new type of paper making material that was strong and durable. In the late 19th century, the first experimental factories that used this new material were built. In the early 20th century, the first true plastics were developed, and in the 1930s, the first commercial products were produced. In the following decades, the use of plastics increased, and in the 1980s, they were the standard material of many consumer products.