Plastic is an amazing creation, and companies around the world use plastic in an enormous variety of products. What makes plastic so useful is that it's lightweight, waterproof, inexpensive to create, and often very pretty.

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if something is made out of plastic because not all plastics look and feel like plastic. What makes plastic so unique is that it can be made into many different forms, shapes, and sizes. Plastic can find its way into many products that you would never think contained plastic. Here are five items that you would never know were made of plastic.

Non-woven Fabric

Many bags look and feel like cloth but are actually made of plastic. There are tons of purses, handbags, and wallets made out of plastic that is pretty easy to spot, but some types of bags used for gifts, perfumes, and other products look like woven fabric but are made of plastic.

A non-woven plastic bag will repel water, and the stitching will actually be a mix of fabric and plastic that is heat-sealed.

Windows and Display Cases

Plastic can be as clear as glass, which makes it ideal for windows and display cases. Acrylic and other types of plastic sheeting can be cut to various sizes and thicknesses, and it's very durable. Perspex, for example, is a plastic sheeting used for a number of applications. Many windows, doors, and display cases for jewelry and other products are made of acrylic because of their durability and clarity.

Tea Bags

It may sound crazy, but many types of teabags contain plastic. While most teabags are composed of paper, many of them are heat-sealed using a type of plastic called polyethylene.

Paper Cups

Paper cups are common in a variety of food service industries and businesses. But paper cups would be useless if they weren't waterproof. The lining inside most paper cups is made of a fine layer of plastic, which makes them waterproof.

Glitter

Glitter is great for art projects and is found in arts and crafts stores just about everywhere. Many people believe that glitter is composed of paper, but it's actually a type of microplastic.

Plastic sheeting, containers, and other plastic products definitely have their uses in the world. Plastic is a low-cost alternative to glass and other products and makes many items more affordable for consumers.