How are plastics made (raw materials), and what is the downside to plastics and the solution?
The raw material for plastics is hydrocarbons. These have come from petroleum. However, they can be made from other sources. Recycling of the present plastics is of course important. I have some plastic bags and a cup made fro corn. There are packing peanuts made of corn. Plastics are polymers of smaller molecules, such as polyethylene is made from ethylenes. Plastics from petroleum are not biodegradable.