Consumed: How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic: Longlisted for the FT Business Book of the Year

by Saabira Chaudhuri

'This book will change the way you see the world and could change the world itself', CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE

'Chaudhuri does a mighty job of showing how plastic came to take over our lives, and why we have repeatedly failed to curb it' , FINANCIAL TIMES

'A must read for anyone who buys anything plastic', MICHAEL MOSS, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR OF SALT, SUGAR, FAT

'Eye-popping, engaging and rigorous', MIKE BERNERS-LEE, AUTHOR OF A CLIMATE OF TRUTH

'As alarming as it is entertaining.... brilliant', HUGH FEARNLEY-WHITTINGSTALL, HOST OF WAR ON PLASTIC WITH ANITA AND HUGH

Over the past seventy years, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, Unilever and other consumer goods makers have harnessed single-use plastics to turbocharge their profits. They've poured billions of dollars into convincing us we need disposable diapers, cups, bags, bottles, shampoo in sachets and plastic-packaged ultra-processed foods.

We were never clamouring for any of these items, but this shift towards disposability has fundamentally transformed our daily habits. Think of toddlers kept in disposable diapers for far longer than their parents wore cloth, our obsession with bottled water and our insatiable appetite for convenient snacks and coffee. While at first we shaped plastics, somewhere along the way, plastics took over and began shaping us.

Like any addiction, our plastic habit has consequences. It is damaging our climate and biodiversity and we are only just starting to understand its effect on our own health.

How did plastic take over our lives? And why have we been unable to rein it in? In investigating how we got here, Consumed arms us to make better decisions about where we go next. It is only by understanding this history that we will stop accepting the same failed solutions and demand better from the brands that got us hooked on plastic in the first place.

'An important and engaging read', ADAM ALTER, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IRRESISTIBLE AND ANATOMY OF A BREAKTHROUGH

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Audiobook

456 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

Reviews

[Tanja Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plastics are everywhere. It’s not one material, it’s a myriad — that’s why it’s so hard to recycle. Even when it can be recycled, it doesn’t mean there is any infrastructure to do so.

The great thing with single use diapers and other single use plastic products is that you can make more. It’s also great for marketing because you create your own unique branding. Unfortunately the pollution and landfills are usually not being paid by polluters. That natural destruction and pollution isn’t accounted for in GDP is a disaster and detrimental to society.

Take one example: shampoo. It’s ridiculous that we transport mostly water in small plastic bottles. I have switched to shampoo bars, but I have yet to see these in any grocery store. I get them from Lush or Klar, in paper bags or cardboard containers.

The book tackles some of the biggest sinners in the perpetuation of single use plastic products. Important but not always interesting. Nonetheless, recommended for its educational value.

[Anatolikon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saabira Chaudhuri wrote a solid and well-researched 300pp on how large companies created demand for single-use plastics and have consistently dodged responsibility for it. She documents their long record of lies and obfuscations regarding the environmental costs of these plastics. This makes it all the more frustrating that the conclusion is that consumers should try to manipulate the companies to move away from plastics. The power imbalance is clear here - only serious legislation will do anything, as these companies have been lying and cheating from the start.

[Starling Wilkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is astounding. Nothing in it surprised me, nor will it anyone who is likely to want to read it, but the sheer amount of research that has gone into this, and the tenacity of the author is admirable. I’ve deducted a star because her penchant for introducing each new character with a quirky description of their appearance is annoyingly out of kilter with the gravity of the rest of her writing. If you can set that aside, this is a must read for anyone who has ever thought twice about buying fast food or bottled water. It may change your life.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Consumed: How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic" by Saabira Chaudhuri is a gripping and insightful exploration of our ubiquitous plastic issue. The author uncovers the complex network of how large businesses have, sometimes subtly, cultivated our addiction to plastic, from packaging materials to consumer goods. The book transcends mere complaining about the environmental disaster, rather carefully outlining the historical and economic forces that brought us to the present situation.

What makes "Consumed" so effective is its disciplined but compelling style. The author isn't afraid of complicated industrial processes, but she explains them in a manner both accessible and stimulating. The book makes readers question their own consumption patterns and the larger systemic forces at work. It's not only a call for personal action, but a desperate appeal to change the system, emphasizing the need to make the big brands answerable. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the future of the planet.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who considers herself knowledgeable and eco-conscious and who makes intentional efforts to live a more sustainable life I didn’t expect Consumed to challenge me as deeply as it did. But Saabira Chaudhuri completely recalibrated my understanding of plastic, waste production
 and responsibility.

This is an essential read for anyone who cares about sustainability or ethical consumption.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly a lot of research went into this. Great read, covered the subject of plastic usage and history without feeling overly biased which these type of books often are. Motivated to reduce consumption of products in general with an educated view.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

LinkedIn Book Review: Consumed by Saabira Chaudhuri (9/10)

I just finished Consumed by Saabira Chaudhuri and it left me sitting with a quiet kind of anger. The honest kind. The kind you feel when a book explains something you have sensed for years but could never fully articulate.

People usually say this is a book about plastic. It is actually a book about how an entire system moved plastic off the land and into our bodies while convincing us everything was fine.

Here are the truths that hit hardest:

The real problem was never littering. It was the business model.
Companies saw what single-use plastic would do. They pushed it anyway because it was profitable, fast and easy to scale. And then they turned around and made the public feel responsible.

Recycling was a narrative, not a solution.
The book shows how the recycling story was engineered to calm us while the majority of plastic never had any real path to being recycled.

Plastic changed more than the environment. It changed human behaviour.
Convenience culture did not appear by accident. Cheap packaging reshaped how we buy, consume and live. It trained us without us noticing.

Microplastics are now in human blood, lungs, placentas and even the brain.
Yet the global conversation still sounds like a debate. How much more evidence does the world need once plastic is circulating inside people?

The future is not polluted. It is contaminated in a way that is invisible and easy to deny.
That is what makes it so dangerous.

What I appreciated most is that Consumed is not preachy. It is not dramatic. It is patient and precise. It maps out how one of the most profitable global industries quietly reshaped the world and left us paying the price.

You close the book and realise something simple.
We will not fix this through better shopping habits.
We will only fix it by challenging the systems that created the problem in the first place.

Read it if you work in leadership, policy, operations or anything that touches people’s lives. It is a 9 out of 10 and it should be required reading for any organisation that takes sustainability seriously.

#Consumed #BookReview #Leadership #SystemsThinking #Sustainability #TruthBombs

[Varma Shagun · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"Big brands have harnessed plastic to shape our everyday habits and expectations in ways that no other physical material has - or likely ever can."

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
The environmental ramifications of unchecked plastic consumption are deeply alarming, yet still grossly under-acknowledged. I picked up Consumed not only to deepen my understanding of this global crisis but also to use my platform to amplify its urgency.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The cover design is deeply symbolic, complementing perfectly the seriousness of the subject matter. The title, concise yet powerful, instantly conveys the thematic richness of the book. In combination with them, they emanate a restrained power that harmonizes with the book's message.

𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The writing is measured, clear, and concise. The language stays readable while still holding attention, making it readable for a broad audience of readers.

𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓ What makes Consumed stand out is its unwillingness to simply cause you concern—it challenges you with irrefutable facts. By the end, you're not only aware, you're unsettled. It reveals how our lives have been reshaped by plastic—not the other way around.
✓ The research is meticulous and eye-opening. From the 1987 U.S. protests to Coca-Cola’s 1994 retreat from recycled plastics, the book lays bare a timeline of decisions that have quietly damaged the planet.
✓ Visuals and a well-curated FAQ section add layers of clarity and engagement.
✓ It sheds light on the disturbing role of corporate giants like Procter & Gamble and Unilever in manipulating consumer behavior for profit, subtly normalizing disposability.
✓ This isn’t just a book, it’s a wake-up call. Urgent, chilling, and thought-provoking.
✓ I genuinely recommend it. It challenges conventional thinking and, thankfully, concludes with actionable steps we can take, something I deeply appreciated.

[Rajendra Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Consumed: How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic," author Saabira Chaudhuri takes readers on a compelling journey tracing the rise of single-use plastics over the past seventy years. Through meticulous research and analysis, Saabira Chaudhuri highlights how these brands have poured billions into convincing consumers of the necessity of disposable items—ranging from diapers🚼 and water bottles🍶 to fast food packaging🍟 and ultra-processed snacks🍿—ultimately fueling an addiction to convenience.

             Saabira Chaudhuri's exploration goes beyond mere statistics; it paints a vivid picture of how this societal obsession with disposability has altered our lives. She doesn't shy away from discussing the dire consequences of our plastic dependency. She emphasizes the environmental degradation that has resulted from our wasteful habits, contributing to climate🏜️ change, biodiversity loss, and potential health risks associated with plastic consumption.

              The author not only highlights the staggering amount of plastic produced and discarded but also presents a wealth of data📊 and photographs🖼️ that make the gravity of the situation palpable. Ultimately, "Consumed" is not just a chronicle of plastic's takeover but a roadmap for a more sustainable future, inspiring readers to rethink their consumption habits and advocate for change. It is a thought-provoking🤔 read for anyone concerned about the environment and their role in shaping a more sustainable world🌏🔆

[Saumya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consumed is a gripping, thoroughly researched exposé on the world’s plastic addiction, exploring how major brands have made us dependent on single-use products often for their own profit. Saabira Chaudhuri masterfully weaves together history, economics, and industrial processes to illustrate how plastic has become deeply embedded in our lives, from diapers to shampoo bottles. The book doesn't simply point fingers; it reveals a systemic issue where environmental destruction is excluded from GDP and polluters rarely bear the cost of their actions.

Chaudhuri’s writing is accessible yet packed with depth, making even complex topics digestible. Her insistence on quirky physical descriptions of people can feel out of place given the gravity of the subject, but it doesn’t overshadow the book’s value. What stands out most is her balanced approach—educational without being preachy, and persuasive without bias.

The book will especially resonate with readers already aware of the plastic crisis, but it’s powerful enough to ignite a mindset shift. If you’ve ever paused before buying a water bottle or questioned your own consumption habits, this book is for you. It’s a compelling call to action—for individuals and systems alike—to hold brands accountable and move toward sustainable solutions.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

• This as a book is unavoidable. For convenience let us call this book, a story of plastic.

• Plastic is inevitable and it's everywhere. Plastic pollution is alarming. Right now they're in our food, in the ocean and, surprise surprise, in our body.

• Saabira Chaudhuri explains how persuasive these pollutionmongers can be.

• We're told we need cellophane wraps, that we need disposable diapers, and a plethora of skin and hair care products packed in tiny bottles you'll throw away in less than 15 days.

• Remember when all these products, from Shampoos to intant coffee packets (Looking at you Nestle) was a suggestion and not a necessity. We've reached a point where plastic is human and humans are plastic.

• This book is intensely researched and well versed. The book knows what it's talking about.

• The harsher realities of plastic pollution is reflected on innocent animals. Ever seen a straw extracted from the mouth of a turtle's nose? It's bound to change you.

• We don't realise how big of a problem this is and this book shows you exactly that.

• I need all of you to read this book and it needs to reach EVERYWHERE

[Komal Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tackles a lot of issues that we know exist, but we have never really paid heed to. Plastics are all around us and have actually "consumed" a large part of our lives.

I am usually an environmentally conscious person, however I have never given a thought to how the concept of "sachets" originated and why big brands have started moving from glass bottles to plastics. The book gave me a holistic perspective of how brands have started making us believe that we need a bouquet of products to improve our lifestyle, when in reality the truth is they are doing it to maximise their profits at the cost of the environment and our health.

Kudos to the author, Saabira who has done an in depth research on the subject matter and given us real facts and data and laid out the entire history of how we have reached this stage where we are drowning in plastic.

The book is a good read for everyone (and not just eco conscious people), not just to understand the environment impact of plastics, but also to understand the effect that microplastics has on us and our bodies. I particularly enjoyed reading the FAQs section at the end of the book!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody knows that plastics is a huge issue for the environment and human health. But have you ever wondered how plastics got introduced in practically every part of our lives - so far so that we cannot even imagine a world without them anymore? This book explains the clever and honestly often disturbing methods big companies used to convince people to rely on things like disposable diapers, product wrappings and the like. It makes the reader understand why recycling is not the final conclusion for the plastics problem, what danger lies in chemicals used as plastics additives, what options we have for the future and what every single one of us can do to keep our own use of plastics in check. The book portrays big brand CEOs, marketing experts, environmentalists and NGOs who all had their hands in either the promoting or the process of regulating the use of plastics. A great, distressing and still hopeful read!

[uzma · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We were never clamouring for any of this. But this shift towards disposability has fundamentally transformed our daily habits. Think of toddlers kept in disposable diapers for far longer than their parents wore cloth, our obsession with bottled water and our insatiable appetite for convenient snacks and coffee. While at first we shaped plastics, somewhere along the way, plastics took over and began shaping us.”

Consumed is a sharp, eye-opening exposé that pulls back the glossy curtain on consumer culture and reveals how deeply plastic is embedded in our everyday lives—thanks, in large part, to the deliberate strategies of major global brands. Saabira Chaudhuri has written a book that is both deeply researched and strikingly accessible, making it a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics of environmental degradation from a corporate lens.

Chaudhuri traces the history of plastic use in consumer goods, showing how corporations intentionally marketed disposable culture and convenience while externalizing the true costs of plastic pollution to people and the planet. She brings a journalist’s clarity to complex subjects, combining investigative depth with compelling storytelling. Case studies, personal stories, and sharp data points make the book engaging without feeling overwhelming.

One of the most impactful parts of Consumed is its insistence that individual action alone isn’t enough.real change requires holding corporations accountable. The book doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it provides a framework for understanding how to push for structural reform.

[Julian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating, intriguing - and yet a little soul destroying, this is a cracking read.

Thoroughly researched and hugely insightful, you get to see the politics, players and motivations behind how we have come to live with plastic - despite knowing we shouldn’t.

A powerful book.

[Chris Fairbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone seeking to understand where our dependency on plastics came from, why recycling hasn’t delivered, and what it will take to build a future free from plastic waste, Consumed is essential reading.

[George Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful and fascinating. Some enjoyable anecdotes about the history and development of plastic packaging (although largely US focused).

Would have liked more to be written on solutions including chemical recycling.

[Tessa {bleeds glitter} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you even angrier at the state of the world :)

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good: she did say “centered around” once but that seemed to be the only editorial gaffe.

[Mike Pellecchia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic one-volume full coverage of an historic subject, destined to hurt us for decades to come

[Budd Margolis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work on the history of plastic and the effort to limit the damage of plastic.