It is the sheer variety of plastics that makes them such an indispensable part of our everyday lives.  This incredible variety also gives them an amazingly wide range of characteristics, from the strong, flexible weaves used in bullet-proof vests, to the hard, crystal clear plastic used for CD boxes.  Today's cars and trucks would consume far more fuel and be less safe, if it weren't for plastics.  Plastics have reduced their weight, and thus their fuel consumption, because they're lighter, they're safer in the event of an accident and many of their safety systems like airbags and the wiring that runs their sophisticated electronics depends on plastics.  The computer you're sitting at now is heavily dependent on plastic.  Much of the food you buy at the supermarket is wrapped in plastic and carried home in plastic bags.