Advantages of using plastics in place of competing conventional materials are clearly demonstrated in three broad application areas: (i) energy‐saving uses, (ii) uses that conserve materials, and (iii) uses that assure consumer health and safety. Plastic clips and sutures used for wound closure and for storage of blood provide a very valuable societal benefit. Plastics, particularly polymer‐based composites (both thermoplastic and thermoset composites), have been exploited in transportation applications for decades. The use of common composites such as glass or carbon fiber reinforced unsaturated polyesters, epoxy, and poly(vinyl ester) matrices is well known. Sustainable use of material resources requires the most economical and energy‐efficient material be selected for packaging. Modern agricultural practices as well as food processing (more than 75% of grown food is processed prior to consumption) are particularly energy‐intensive processes. In photovoltaic (PV) modules, plastics protect the active material within PV modules, replacing glass in the application.