Pollution is the introduction of harmful materials into the environment. These harmful materials are called pollutants. Pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash. They can also be created by human activity, such as trash or runoff produced by factories. Pollutants damage the quality of air, water, and land.

National Geographic. (n.d.) Pollution. In NationalGeographic.org encyclopedia. Updated April 30, 2024, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/pollution/  

Put simply, single-use plastics are goods that are made primarily from fossil fuel–based chemicals (petrochemicals) and are meant to be disposed of right after use—often, in mere minutes. Single-use plastics are most commonly used for packaging and serviceware, such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. 

Lindwall, C. (2024, April 30). Single-Use Plastics 101. National Resources Defense Council.org. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/single-use-plastics-101