Final answer:
Transparent 'throw-away' drinking cups and disposable coffee cups are typically made from polystyrene, a lightweight and easily moldable polymer suitable for single-use food and beverage containers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The plastic material used to make transparent 'throw-away' drinking cups and disposable coffee cups is typically polystyrene. This polymer is a common choice for single-use food and beverage containers due to its transparency and ability to be easily formed into different shapes. Polystyrene is also known for being lightweight and having good insulation properties, which is why it is frequently used for coffee cups that need to maintain the temperature of the beverage. On the contrary, plastic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are often used for pipes, window frames, and upholstery when plasticizers are added to make it flexible. Polyethylene, another common plastic, is used for making bottled beverages, plastic bags, and other packaging materials due to its different forms and properties. It's important to remember that plastics need to be disposed of properly to reduce environmental impacts, and recycling programs are in place to help mitigate the issue.