Plastics

The MIT Press Essential Knowledge

by Imari Walker-Franklin, Jenna Jambeck

A comprehensive introduction to the plastics life cycle—the impacts on our lives, our future, and our planet—and the actions we can take.

Everywhere we look, we are surrounded by perhaps you have a book in one hand and your phone—made of various metals, plastics, and glass—in the other, or you are reading this on your polyurethane mattress after having flipped on a plastic light switch. In this Essential Knowledge series volume, Imari Walker-Franklin and Jenna Jambeck provide a deep exploration of the entire life of plastic things—plastics production and use, plastic waste generation and management, the environmental and societal impacts of plastics in our environment, and, finally, the policies that can help reduce pollution caused by our heavy use of plastics. 

One of the most current and comprehensive summaries on the subject, Plastics covers not only ocean and terrestrial plastic pollution but also the potential harms of microplastics on the human body. The authors also explain why we use plastic for so many products, how trash ends up in even the most remote corners of our world, and the alternatives and interventions that can help address our overreliance on this virtually imperishable material. As easily digestible to read as it is important, this book empowers its readers with the crucial knowledge and information they need to make thoughtful consumer choices, influence change, and spark inspiration.

Genres: Environment, Nonfiction, Science

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[RJTK · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are constantly exposed to plastics whether we like it or not and these contaminants are by no means benign. Firstly, the chemicals used in their production, which are known to be carcinogens or endocrine disruptors, leak out through contact and into the air as they are not chemically bonded to the material. Moreover, mechanical degradation or combustion causes the release of microplastics. These microplastics can be sharp, or carry electric charge, which is damaging to cells and causes inflammation. We eat, drink, and breathe about 70,000 such microplastics every year, which contaminate the bloodstream and organ of every person on earth.

Needless to say, we should be avoiding plastic. Unfortunately, this is not so easy at it is prevalent in packaging (including most food containers), adhesive, durable goods, and even gum.

[Annelise Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great comprehensive guide to plastic production, waste/pollution, human and environmental impact and policy levers. New things I learned:

- Even though a plastic is labeled polypropylene (for example), it doesn't mean that it is the exact same product as another polypropylene plastic, because “recipes” / combinations of additives are proprietary. The same plastic product may, as a result, have a completely different additive composition.
- Plastic additives can take up as much as 7% of the weight of the polymer. (New research is showing even more.. more like 70%)
- The medical community has been investigating the use of micro- and nano-polymeric spheres as a pharmaceutical method for drug delivery- which might inform us how similar micro-sized polymers from sources like food packaging will interact with the body on a cellular level.
- Plastic bags were not invented until 1965, when Swedish company Celloplast patented the first plastic bag… to save trees from being made into paper bags (!!)

[Marla Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read, plastic pollution is bleeding into every aspect of life, what we eat, breathe, see. it’s killing animals, our environment, our ozone layer. if you want more knowledge on how to help prevent this including some information on how badly the US government handles this issue; this is your book.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little series, but so depressing. Mostly a short history of plastic usage and why we need to clean up our environment. Mostly we know this (well, if you have been paying attention) so it is good it’s. Short book.

[Toby Sizemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this for free at the American Chemical Society conference. I enjoyed the conversation in the book about plastics, but I don’t think I’d recommend this to someone who doesn’t have any sort of background in chemistry due to the nomenclature used in some chapters.

[Pooja Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive introduction to the ubiquity of plastics. The authors dicuss microplastics and the emergence of the plastic-bodies of the modern age.
Definitely made me more curious about plastic waste management.

[Cory Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of the current state of plastics in our society.

[Ondrej · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to plastics and their life cycle. Somewhat technical but still readable for non technical person.

[Kyle R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice quick read on everything you need to know about plastics. Their creation, use, types, pollution, possible solutions!

[Adriannne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly shocked at how we just decided to make everything out of plastic and now it's ruining our whole world. I love the MIT essential knowledge series it's my goal to read all of them