Plastic, at the time, was simply better. It is lighter, not brittle, and cheap to mass-produce. Shipping costs are greatly reduced. Consumers benefit from chea

Plastic, at the time, was simply better. It is lighter, not brittle, and cheap to mass-produce. Shipping costs are greatly reduced. Consumers benefit from cheaper pricing, companies get better margins, everyone wins. Now we see the externalities, or are forced to accept them. But it's not just the consumer's fault. Lots of cheaper items went directly to profit and not to consumers.