Perceptions of plastics have changed within the relatively short lifespan of the material. In the beginning, plastics were a substitute for scarce commodities, followed by a rather uncritical and careless handling. It was the material that made mass consumption possible and reduced the need to handle materials with care and as resources. However, within a few decades, plastics have become an omnipresent environmental problem. This chapter provides one potential approach to analyzing the global plastic challenge, discussing firstly, the changing perceptions of plastics. Secondly, unanticipated effects and trade-offs, when replacing the deeply entangled material in the attempt for more sustainability and circularity, are discussed. Thirdly, local initiatives from Africa have been chosen to give examples for dealing with existing plastic waste. The analysis revealed that at the beginning of the twenty-first century, plastics began to be seen as a health and environmental topic. Overall, due to its beneficial features, plastics have become one of the most ubiquitous anthropogenic materials in the world. While certain plastic products, such as bags and straws, are nowadays being replaced, a complete renunciation of plastic materials may lead to an extensive pressure on natural resources and cause various trade-offs for other sectors, when considering contemporary production, consumption patterns, and developments. Therefore, the complexity of plastics and their impacts, as well as alternatives chosen as replacements, should not be underestimated but among others require careful consideration of local circumstances and possibilities. The continuous reflection of the plastic issue, from a material, socio-economic, and environmental perspective, through a case-by-case consideration, can contribute to sustainably addressing the global plastic pollution.