Presented diploma thesis contains theoretical knowledge about synthetic polymers, plastics and elastomers, their historical development, distribution, production, use and methods of recycling. The work defines the adverse effects of plastics on the environment as well as on humans. Attention is paid to the issue of waste car tires. The assessment of the impact of plastics waste from tires was performed in the aqueous exclusion prepared from waste rubber granules from worn tires by determining selected physicochemical parameters (pH, specific conductivity and COD-Cr) and preliminary ecotoxicological tests: growth inhibition test for Lemna minor and Sinapis alba and an acute toxicity test for Daphnia magna. Based on the obtained results, the assumption of the toxic effect of the aqueous leachate was confirmed, because the limit values for COD-Cr and pH indicators were exceeded - resulting from the regulationand, all results from the performed ecotoxicity tests were positive. It follows from the above that plastic waste from worn tires poses an environmental risk to the aquatic environment.