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 plastics:
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.
