Of course plastic is also lightweight and relatively durable. This makes our cars and airplanes more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, among millions of other uses.
You'll realise these materials are usually much less suited to the task. In aggregate, the polymer industry was a huge benefit for humanity.
To take just one random example, I think electical wiring was insulated with fabrics in the early 20th century, which must have been expensive to make, and perhaps no too durable.
But really, plastics improved the manufacturability and performance of literally everything.
I see the following advantages:
- Onetime use disposable
- lightweight
- durable
- manufacture is easier and cheaper
- often the better solution than the previous one