So when crude oil is refined, it is separated into different products. Some of it is used to make gasoline, some of it is used to make plastic, and I assume the rest of it us used for everything in between.

 

And yet, I often hear of how gasoline is "not the best use" of oil and how plastic would be so much more reusable. But if different parts of the oil are used to make different products, how can that which was not channelled toward making gasoline be repurposed toward plastics?

The production process could be driven to have more compounds to make plastic. Gasoline is obtained mainly by distillation.

Good to know, thanks.

 

Does anyone have a source in mind confirming as much such that I can cite it elsewhere if need be?