A child runs next to a fire where electronic cables and other electrical components are being burned to melt off the plastic and reclaim the copper wiring, in “Burning electrical components. Agbogbloshie Market, Ghana, 2008.” Photo courtesy of Kate Davison/Greenpeace

Plastics have become such an everyday part of our lives that we take it for granted. But The Burke Museum’s new exhibit, “Plastics Unwrapped” — which opens Thursday, Dec. 20, and runs through May 27, 2013 — aims to change how we look at plastics.

Learn what life was like before plastics, how they are made, why they’re so convenient and beneficial to use and what happens after they’re thrown away.

Also, see pre-plastic objects from The Burke Museum’s collection, understand what the recycling numbers mean on plastic items and learn about breakthroughs in science that are changing the role of plastic in our lives.

The Burke Museum, at Northeast 45th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast, on the University of Washington campus. (206) 543-5590 or www.burkemuseum.org