The Problem with Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late

by Judith Enck

A powerful investigation into plastic’s impact on human health and the environment, and how we can fight back



What if we said that the line between societal advancement and environmental degradation was Saran Wrap thin? Once a marvel of modern science, plastic has become so inextricably woven into our lives that imagining a world without it seems impossible. Over the last seventy-five years, plastic has cradled our planet in a synthetic embrace.



The Problem with Plastic critically examines the paradox of this material, first celebrated for its innovations and now recognized for its devastating environmental and public health impacts. This compelling narrative reveals how plastic pollution contributes to poisoned oceans, polluted air, and overwhelming waste, particularly affecting marginalized communities, which face the brunt of industrial pollution. The book highlights the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment and the human body, challenging the belief that recycling can solve the crisis.



In addition to uncovering environmental racism and debunking industry claims, The Problem with Plastic emphasizes the urgent need for action against plastic’s toxic legacy, and offers readers practical, actionable solutions, including a “household waste audit,” which empowers readers to track and reduce their own plastic consumption.

Genres: Nonfiction, Environment

240 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2025

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the audiobook for review.

I recycle a lot of my trash and tries to be mindful of that but I have to be honest. I've been scared to really look up the consequences of our (civilians) and the big companies (the factories and everything else thats thorws tons of pollution in our world) because it feels very hopeless. I decided to request the book to really challenge myself and yes still had a rock in my stomach listening to it. But there was clear tips, hopefullnes and discusses that we need to take action. I live in Sweden and this books talks mainly about US. But I think it was a good starting point and will look on more local sources. I was very thankful about the discussion about plastic straws and plastic bags as I hadn't fully understood the purpose on a banning those but hardly anything else

[Catarina | cat literary world · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

2.5 ⭐️

Plastic is, perhaps, one of the biggest environmental problems of today’s world. A lot has been researched and written about it. “The problem with plastic” is another book about plastic, and despite the research and work put in, it’s just another book about the same theme.

Don’t get me wrong, the author did a LOT of research to write this book, but, for me, it felt like others I’ve read. It doesn’t add much to what we already know and fails to answer some fundamental questions (for instance, paper straws and packing of juices have a tiny layer of plastic; otherwise, they would not resist the liquids, and these solutions are worse than a full plastic one). The writing style was not the best, I think. It was too factual for a book that aims to engage the population to change their habits; it should have been closer to the public. It felt distant. At times, it also felt too repetitive.

Regardless, I always like to have a positive note on my reviews and, in this one, I think the highlight of women working on plastic reduction was one of the best parts (as women are hardly highlighted anywhere), paired with the impact of plastic on low-income communities (something that is not widely explored in other books I’ve read). The author does not shame these communities for being unable to reduce their plastic consumption, which is very positive, as no positive change can happen by shaming people.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone working in the field of plastic pollution research, I think this book is a very solid starting point for anyone looking to learn more about the topic. It provides a clear, accessible overview and explains complex ideas without overwhelming the reader. The inclusion of references is a big plus for those wanting to dig deeper.

The book mainly focuses on the plastic industry from a U.S. perspective, with occasional mentions of the UK and Denmark. If you're looking for a more global picture, especially regarding other countries' roles in plastic production and waste, you'll need to do some additional reading.

I was particularly glad to see the authors mention the East Palestine train derailment. As someone from the UK, I remember following the news and being surprised by how little coverage it received as an environmental disaster. It's reassuring to see others bringing it up and pushing for justice for the affected communities.

A couple of areas I felt were missing: I would’ve liked to see more about the export of plastic waste to less economically developed countries, which is a major issue in global waste management. Also, it’s important to acknowledge that reducing plastic use is not one-size-fits-all. For example, people who rely on medical equipment like catheters can’t simply eliminate single-use plastics. Similarly, someone with MS might not be able to switch to paper straws if they don’t function as well as plastic ones.

Overall, a great introductory read with plenty of resources for further exploration. A good blend of science, industry insight, and advocacy.

Thankyou Netgalley for sending me an ARC for an honest review

[Bethany Busse · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who dove deep into the zero waste movement in 2016 and then felt immense guilt for not living to the right standards, this book hits the mark of making sure that the problem isn’t only built by everyday acts of consumers, but the result of corporations and policies.

This is a great beginning starting point. I was nodding my head when it went hard on the ramifications, but not guilting poor and marginalized communities.

Thank you for the audiobook from NetGalley!

[Annika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Mahoney is one of the greatest environmental writers in our generation!

The best parts of this book were when it wove in real people. That's when it felt alive. Additionally, this book is a great primer for how plastic became so prominent in our lives, and makes several strong arguments for how we can wean off of it. As someone who has a baseline information on the minutia of plastic, this was an informative and helpful read.

[Kuu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC!

I would recommend this book as a physical copy and not an audio. The narration itself was alright, but many of the lists, the options for what the consumer can do, and the resources listed were just not really accessible in audio format, which means that the reader (or, in this case, listener) might miss out on perhaps the most valuable info of the book, as many of the general discussions are likely to already be familiar for people who looked into plastic's impact on the environment, human and animal health, etc.

That's why I am rating this book a 3 star - 1 star lost due to the inaccessibility of the resources and reader-geared content, and another lost as this book, in my opinion, doesn't really share much that hasn't already been said by many other people.

I like that this author focuses on women's contributions, but dislike the focus on the USA (which was not mentioned in the description or anywhere else, and which... is quite annoying, as someone who isn't from the USA, as much of the community impacts, laws, and given advice was just... not applicable to my context, and will not be applicable to most global contexts, AND further spreads U.S. hegemony as the assumption is that a book about the USA does not need to be advertised as being about the USA but can instead be left as is, as the reader will likely either be from the USA or be familiar with the U.S. cultural context, whether they want to or not. The USA is the global neutral, unmarked, and only if the cultural context is NOT the USA is this something worth pointing out to the reader. But I digress.). These two factors kind of weigh up against each other, so they don't ultimately affect my rating (even though I'm a bit salty, as you might be able to tell).

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plastics are made by fossil fuels and chemicals.

While this book recaps some atrocities I’m already familiar with, it also reveals that the issue is much bigger than the giant Pacific garbage patch or the micro plastics found in our bodies. As with tobacco, lead paint and other manmade public health threats, massive corporations have conspired to thwart regulation and gaslight the public.

”The only thing that’s actually being recycled is the myth that recycling will stop plastic pollution. The industry playbook worked in the 80s, on the eve of plastic product bans… [but] only 9% of plastics ever made has been recycled—because plastic is not designed to be recycled. The industry already knew this, and the gambit was as cynical then as it is now.”

Petrochemicals will account for nearly a third of fossil fuel demand by 2030 and even more going forward. Oil and gas producers, in the face of shifts towards clean energy, see plastics as their saving grace and will continue pushing us to make and waste more and more of them.

We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly. Remember that plastic creates pollution at every stage of its creation, use, and disposal, regardless of the form it takes: packaging, park benches, artificial turf, fabric and more.

Each piece of plastic carries the weight of its origin, forged in the fires of expansion and extraction. Blaming and shaming ourselves or others for their individual plastic use may get a handful of people to bring a reusable coffee mug but it won’t create the kind of systemic change we need to actually solve this problem. The blame game distracts from the intricate web of historical and socioeconomic factors that sustain the crisis.

Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book achieves its intended goal and provides an educational and poignant overview of the plastic crisis. Having been a sustainability professional, however, much of the information presented in this book was not news to me (which is fine!). There is a lot of great information in this book for those not informed and it is presented clearly and succinctly.

I don't however think that anything NEW, in terms of solutions to the big plastic crisis, are presented in this book but I do appreciate the free sources (ex: sample emails to send to your grocery store manager to reduce plastic waste) is cool.

Thank you Net Galley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC in exchange for an honest review!

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judith Enck wants you to know we are drowning in plastic and it is not your fault. I believe both of these messages are important and am personally invested in sharing them far and wide. This book lays out the problem and provides concrete next steps. And when I say concrete, I mean actionable items you can do today. I do wish the book was 25% shorter, making it a bit more accessible to those not already onboard. Thank you to the author, Janet Metzger for the narration, Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for the audioARC.

[Kevin Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of repetitive information but very much important to read. A call to activism. With some real examples of how to help. Engage, reduce, reuse!

[Mr Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plastic pollution and contamination sadly seems to be so ingrained into our environment that yet another book on the issue appears to be superfluous. That being said, Enck and Mahoney peel back the veneer of company ‘plastic-washing’ and false promises to challenge the dominant and overwhelming narrative from the plastics industry (read fossil-fuel industry) that if individuals were just better at recycling, then the problem would be solved.

They make the early point that despite plastics being a relatively new invention, they have colonised the world, making us overly-dependent and addicted to their use. ‘What began as a marvel of modern science has been woven so tightly into the fabric of our lives that imagining a world without it seems impossible.’

Humans once lived in a world without plastic and this seems hard to fathom now. ‘In just seventy- five years, plastic has cradled our planet in a synthetic embrace.’ Enck and Mahoney address the systemic issues at the core of the plastic crisis and explore the links to environmental injustices, using repeated examples of neighbourhoods and communities blighted by plastic pollution, with attendant increased health risks. They call out big business as being a knowing actor in the ‘plastic racism’ and argue that short-term profits are more of a priority to these companies than real solutions to reduce the production of plastic. ‘Despite the mounting evidence against the plastics industry, those in charge continue to double down on false solutions, successfully misleading the public and hindering real progress.’

No place untouched by plastic

Enck and Mahoney remind the reader that, ‘Today, there isn’t a place on Earth untouched by plastic.’ From plastic bags deep in the Mariana Trench to plastic pollution on the slopes of Mount Everest, to inside the human body with microplastics and nanoplastics, the contamination is everywhere, with the tap of production not even close to being shut off. For an industry that is not older than the oldest person alive today, this shocking impact on our world is the worst of achievements. ‘Half of all the plastic ever created has been around only since 2007’
The authors make the point that massive production of plastic will thwart and dwarf the best efforts of recycling, or even ‘chemical recycling’, which continues to stand at less than 10% globally. The same fossil-fuel playbook of hoping for a technological ‘magic bullet’ solution, which will allow production to continue and profits to prosper, has been successfully used by the plastic industry and it is this that the authors want us to be alerted about. This should be no surprise as the vast majority of plastics are made from fossil fuels and it is the same industry pushing both products.‘Plastics are made from fossil fuels and chemicals. The world’s biggest oil and gas companies are also the biggest plastic producers.’ … ‘In less than a century, plastic has changed the world. In 1950, the world produced just 2 million tons of plastic. It now produces over 450 million tons per year.’


‘With microplastics seemingly everywhere—in the air, water, and food we consume—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.’

Against this industrial plastic behemoth, it can feel that our efforts and voices are insignificant and that it is easier to not challenge their narrative, however Enck and Mahoney argue that this is far from the case, and that the plastic edifice is beginning to crumble. They highlight communities where local protests have successfully repelled fracking industries, incinerators and landfill operators. ‘Most people experience plastic in passing as a brief relationship with a throwaway item. The bulk of the consequences, though, are saddled upon the local communities where plastic is fracked, cracked, dumped, and burned: from the Indigenous, to the free towns, to the poor working class. In short, plastic kills. Yet organized resistance to plastic is spreading across the globe.’ It appears that it is the communities which are threatened the most which are standing up the most against the polluters, but they need the help of powerful, unafraid governments, which are not content with solutions that ‘skim the surface’, but which apply rigorous regulation to industry. ‘As with traditional landfills, incinerators and toxic ash landfills are overwhelmingly located in low-income and minority communities where residents bear the brunt of the health and environmental impacts from plastic pollution.’

The authors call for meaningful and significant change to phase out this plastic pollution.
‘Meaningful changes that significantly reduce plastic production and waste must occur on a vast scale, one that matches the current volume of plastic produced and consumed…Achieving such large-scale change requires the introduction of new laws that compel industries to take actions they have otherwise failed to initiate on their own.’

The authors make the repeated point in ‘The Problem with Plastic’ that,
‘If the science is clear and the damage so severe, why hasn’t the crisis been meaningfully addressed?’

A cleaner, healthier future is in our hands
In order to achieve this cleaner and healthier future, Enck and Mahoney powerfully argue for a two-pronged attack- one which is government led and one which is consumer led. They urge that meaningful choices for customers away from plastics cannot happen magically on its own and need the helping hand of a necessary Big Government. The current unrealistic self-policing practices of the plastics (fossil-fuel) industry must come to an end.
‘Governments must implement strict regulations to curb plastic production, enforce transparency in corporate sustainability claims, and eliminate subsidies for plastic production under the guise of recycling innovation. And we, as consumers, must be empowered with better choices, clearer labeling, and access to plastic-free alternatives that are genuinely sustainable. The petrochemical industry will continue pushing misleading solutions unless there is strong pushback from communities, policymakers, and environmental advocates.’
The authors close by reminding us that profound transformation is possible and that inventions, although they can’t be ‘un-invented’, can be refined (!), improved upon and in many cases, left behind, as more sustainable, efficient and safe options become widely accessible.
‘Yet this is no natural catastrophe; it is human-made, and that means it can be unmade. Plastic pollution, climate change, and environmental injustices are not inevitable; they are the results of choices made by businesses, governments, and, to a lesser extent, you and me.’
The path forward to save ourselves and our planet from this plastic juggernaut will likely not be an easy one. It is reliant on individuals moving away from convenience to choice, from being fettered to plastics to freedom, and from apathy to action. When held against the healthy vision of the world, just over the horizon, this surely is a price worth paying.
‘The way forward is daunting but not impossible. It requires courage, persistence, and a shared vision of what the world can be.’

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I’ve been a big-time recycling advocate as far back as I can remember. Before recycling became mandatory, I grew up recycling aluminum cans because businesses would pay you $.XX per pound. I learned about Earth Day early on, in part because it was started by our former governor, Gaylord Nelson. In high school, the city I lived in gave us recycling bins to start recycling #1 & 2 plastics. And I continue to try and strive to get as close to zero waste as possible.

The Problem with Plastic offers a data-driven expose of plastic’s health, as well the ecological harms that come with it. I also learned about the environmental racism that goes on in the United States, affecting low-income communities. Another bonus with this book: it highlights all the work women are doing to reduce plastic in our ecosystem.

This book is a very good starting point for anyone who wants to try and be an agent of change. It offers an accessible overview of how much plastic is in our ecosystem, as well as tips on how to reduce one’s consumption. My big hate is on single-use items like K-cups for Keurigs, or any single snack-pack or 100 calorie snack packaged in individual serving plastic bags. I mean, how hard is it to portion out a box of crackers for kids with reusable bags?

I really appreciated the reference section for those of us who want to continue on the path laid before us in this book. This book is mainly centered on the United States plastic industry, but it does occasionally mention Denmark and Great Britain. I highly recommend this book if you care about the planet’s future.

[Jordan White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Problem With Plastic is an introductory look at the history and impacts of plastic and the industry behind it. It’s a strong starting point for anyone who wants to better understand the issues and learn small changes consumers can make. (There’s also plenty of insight into chemicals and toxicity, lobbying efforts, and corporate responsibility.)

I learned a lot about how environmental racism and climate change intersect with plastics, and I appreciated the way the author addressed barriers — like income, geography and disabilities — that make living plastics-free unrealistic for many people. The book also offers guidance for contacting lawmakers and retailers to push for reduced reliance on disposable plastics.

Unless I misunderstood, a few points felt contradictory. One chapter on plastics myths stated that mailing back plastics isn’t feasible, while a later chapter on solutions suggested mailing plastics back as an option.

It’s also important to acknowledge that plastics play a critical role in sterile and lifesaving medical care — such as syringes and implantables — and in automobiles for lightweighting and fuel efficiency. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for environmental progress.

Overall, it’s a helpful entry-level resource for readers interested in the topic and looking for a place to begin.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced audiobook copy of #TheProblemWithPlastic.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew I was going to like this book from the start with its dedication acknowledging the people that have been disproportionally impacted by plastics and often overlooked or ignored. The story then goes on to talk about the history of plastic, its issues, and what people can do about it in an approachable manner that would be completely understandable to readers of various backgrounds. Throughout the exploration of plastic, the author does not shy away from talking about the people and areas that are bearing most of the burden of plastics. I also liked that while the author presented numerous ways that individuals can help reduce their plastic exposure, they also focused on the fact that it is the plastic corporations and lawmakers that really need to take responsibility for microplastics and reducing their production.

Sometimes I find nonfiction books a bit dry, but I was lucky to have the audiobook version and thought the narrator did a great job of reading the book in an engaging way. However, I did find some of the content to get repetitive at times, with some concepts and issues being repeated multiple times. Overall, though I would highly recommend this book. Plastics are in the environment and in us and everyone should know more about them to make informed decisions, when possible, about the products they buy and use, and the changes that they want to advocate for.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to The Problem With Plastic by Judith Enck prior to it’s publication.

This book is very informative regarding the dangers of plastic and offers useful ideas for reducing our reliance on it. Even though the outlook for our planet can feel bleak and overwhelming, (especially with how much plastic is harming ecosystems and communities) Enck manages to “shine a light at the end of the tunnel”, giving hope for a healthier Earth.

One of the most helpful parts of the book is the curated list of resources. Included are organizations you can get involved with, as well as links to templates for contacting politicians and grocery stores about single-use plastics. It’s practical, hope-inducing and easy to act on.

I learned a lot from reading this book. I think it should be in every high school and public library.

📚 📚 📚

[Brian Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Enck knows the plastic industry, the environmental damage from it and the waste generated when its products are used. She documents this in pointed detail. For me the theme of this title is that individuals have little effect alone - the amount of plastic produced must be reduced by government action because the product itself is a health and environmental toxin. The text includes many steps that individuals can take to reduce their individual exposure and their individual waste which puts the text into my 5 star category. Also included are tips for developing group action. I would like to have seen more ideas about nationwide groups that are effectively achieving the needed legislative action. I highly recommend this title - for me it is an eye-opener with individual exposure reduction activities that will take me lots of time.

[KRM · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY moly. I like to think I'm already pretty in the know on climate change, crunchy-lite on my better days ever, but I was blown away at every turn how much deeper the story goes. The narrative style makes the book exciting (and scary!) even as you read about chemical names and corporations. Enck brings forth the human elements first and formost.

The best part of the research was how intersectional each chapter was, mostly for race and class. The book mostly focuses on the US (given how responsible the US is for much of this problem, that makes sense) but does look to global impacts and how other nations are handling the issue.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy, all opinions are my own.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enlightening read. It definitely makes you think about our disposable lives and the effects on the world and corruption of the policy makers and big companies. They do talk some about options other than plastic but I would have like to have known the effects of making other non plastic alternatives and those effects on our health and the environment. Research from only one side can lead to other poor alternatives. Thank you to the Author, Publisher and Netgallery to allowing me to listen to this eARC.

[Brad D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently received this book and I have to say it is a great book explaining why plastic is so bad, for all of the different reasons.
It is well researched and there's a References section in the back which shows how much work went into the creation of this book.
It is explained in non-technical, easy to understand language.

[T.J. Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This back is extremely well written and updated on the corporate greed and the issue with class and people of color areas are more affected by the plastics industry than others. At the same time we are all at risk showing places like companies not said in book Amazon and oil companies create more issues to our population and world health!

[Melissa Carlson]

So much good factual information. This is good background for anyone wanting to knowledgeably talk to their legislators on why we need policy to reduce plastic.
I did visit a couple of the websites in the references for more context, so I appreciate those resources.

[Eve Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate the focus on solutions!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard not to feel hopeless these days, but this book offered me some next steps. Non-fiction can be tough, but I was able to make it through because it is too important not to.