Plastic from 2-liter bottles is even being spun into fiber for the production of carpet. Incineration of polymers produces heat energy. The heat energy produced by the burning plastics not only can be converted to electrical energy but helps burn the wet trash that is present. Paper also produces heat when burned, but not as much as plastics. On the other hand, glass, aluminum and other metals do not release any energy when burned.
Polymers affect every day of our life.
These materials have so many varied characteristics and applications that their usefulness can only be measured by our imagination. Polymers are the materials of past, present, and future generations. To view a description as well as the chemical structure of some common polymer resins, go to the Background Information for Teachers section.