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A review by machielse
Plastic: A Toxic Love Story by Susan Freinkel
4.0
A very interesting read that talks about the past, present, and future of plastic. More importantly, it examines the paradox that is plastic.
For example, someone hooked up to vinyl tubing, IVs, and machinery in the hospital is being kept alive by plastics, while simultaneously being exposed to leeching additives. In the consumer world, paper grocery bags take a lot more energy to produce than plastic, though paper recycling is far more ubiquitous.
There is no one-sided story. But a common theme develops: plastic has enabled society to create a “throwaway culture.” The problem is not plastic, but rather our attitudes towards consumption. Our society uses synthetic polymers that last for thousands of years to produce items designed to be used for a few hours or minutes. Think before you consume. Choose durable goods. For the most part, recycling beats the landfill, but reducing, i.e. never using the thing to begin with, has an infinitely lower impact.
For example, someone hooked up to vinyl tubing, IVs, and machinery in the hospital is being kept alive by plastics, while simultaneously being exposed to leeching additives. In the consumer world, paper grocery bags take a lot more energy to produce than plastic, though paper recycling is far more ubiquitous.
There is no one-sided story. But a common theme develops: plastic has enabled society to create a “throwaway culture.” The problem is not plastic, but rather our attitudes towards consumption. Our society uses synthetic polymers that last for thousands of years to produce items designed to be used for a few hours or minutes. Think before you consume. Choose durable goods. For the most part, recycling beats the landfill, but reducing, i.e. never using the thing to begin with, has an infinitely lower impact.