EP 201 - Plastics Pollution – What’s so Bad about Plastic & Why Doesn’t Everybody Know about It

The daily disposal of plastic waste, including items like coffee cup lids, wrappers, and containers, poses a significant environmental threat. In 2021, global trash generation reached 400 million tons, with the U.S. contributing 51 million tons, only recycling 2.4 million tons. Plastics, derived from fossil fuels, undergo an energy-intensive process emitting greenhouse gases. Plastic pollution harms wildlife, habitats, and human populations, with synthetic plastics constituting 95% of all plastics ever made. 

Plastics, introduced commercially in the 1950s, offer convenience but have a low recovery rate compared to materials like glass and paper. Inefficiencies in recycling, attributed to processing challenges, hinder their reuse. Plastic's exponential production since the 1950s, driven by qualities like ease of shaping and low cost, comes at a significant cost to health and the environment. 

Plastic's impact on sea life is well-documented, but increasing studies focus on its effects on human health, fertility, land ecosystems, crops, and plants. Plastic's main ingredients originate from oil and natural gas, with additives containing hazardous substances. Plastic packaging, with over 4,000 chemicals, poses risks to human health, demanding a reconsideration of reliance on this pervasive material and a commitment to sustainable alternatives. 

Join Host Bernice Butler with Mary Johnson from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Nena Shaw with the EPA to explore and unpack this phenomenon.

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