TOO MUCH PLASTIC

An overview that delves into the paradox that “the same qualities that make plastic indispensable to modern life also make it an enormous threat to the planet.”

In this engaging narrative that’s full of specific details and examples, Loonin describes the emergence of plastic in the 20th century, the threats it poses, the discouraging real-world obstacles to recycling, and what can be done to curb plastic pollution. She shows how pervasive its presence is in our lives and how complicated and expensive it is to handle these petroleum-based polymers so that they can be reused. Plastics are extremely durable, making accumulated waste an increasing problem that threatens animal and human health, for example, in the oceans, where currents form masses of debris like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastic manufacturers promote recycling, but the book points out the many practical challenges to its widespread implementation, citing a Greenpeace study that found that “only 5 to 6 percent of annual US consumer plastic waste was being recycled.” The author covers efforts to curb plastic pollution through legislation and the creation of environmentally sustainable alternatives. The book ends on a sobering note—a breakdown in United Nations efforts to seek a global agreement on this crisis—but with examples from all over the world, colorful photographs, and plentiful quotations, this work will engage and inform readers.

An information-rich and accessible guide to a distressing topic.