Advertisement by the American Plastics Council, featuring children playing football. The ad highlights how, from egg cartons to sports equipment, plastic can be used to keep people safe.

Beginning in 1993, the American Plastics Council ran a $30 million public relations campaign titled “Plastics Make it Possible.” This campaign attempted to counter negative public opinions about plastics and to reduce public support for bans on Styrofoam and plastic bags. The ads reflect concerns about plastics in the 1990s, including anxieties about pollution and resource conservation. The campaign invited Americans to “take another look at plastics,” by highlighting the role of plastics in applications like food preservation, medicine, and consumer safety. While focused on advertising on TV and in magazines, the campaign also included public booklets, educational videos, and promotional t-shirts.