Maya Ellison
The Story of Plastic is an Emmy-winning documentary film directed by Deia Schlosberg and presented by The Story of Stuff Project. It exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. The film takes viewers on a global journey, presenting a cohesive timeline of how the world arrived at its current plastic pollution crisis. It reveals how the petrochemical industry has successfully manipulated the narrative and how the plastic industry aggressively invests in producing more single-use plastic. The Story of Plastic premiered on the Discovery Channel and is also available through digital streaming and DVDs for educational institutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Story of Plastic |
| Format | Documentary film |
| Year | 2019 |
| Director | Deia Schlosberg |
| Producers | Kyle Cadotte, Megan Ponder, Stiv Wilson |
| Co-executive producers | Dianna Cohen, Jackson Browne, Seven McDonald |
| Executive producers | Stiv Wilson, Coralie Charriol-Paul, Dennis Paul, Michael O'Heaney |
| Music | Mike McCready, Cody Westheimer |
| Premiere | Discovery Channel |
| Availability | Digital licenses, DVDs, Digital streaming |
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What You'll Learn
The problem with recycling
The documentary "The Story of Plastic" exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. The film reveals that the petrochemical industry, which produces about 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, has manipulated the narrative around plastic pollution and misled the public about the recyclability of plastic.
One of the key issues highlighted in the documentary is the systemic problem of plastic waste management. Despite public efforts to recycle plastic, most plastic ends up in landfills or is exported to poorer countries, where it becomes a burden on marginalized communities. The film emphasizes that the solution lies in producer responsibility and a shift towards reusable and compostable products, rather than solely relying on recycling.
The recycling process itself faces significant challenges. There are seven different types of plastic, and not all of them are recyclable. Even when plastic is technically recyclable, it often doesn't make the cut due to economic constraints and the degradation of plastic with each reuse. As a result, only a small percentage of plastic is actually repurposed, with most ending up in landfills.
The documentary also sheds light on the global supply chain of plastic, from the extraction of fossil fuels to the disposal of plastic waste in countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. It highlights the human health concerns associated with living near plastic refineries and the environmental impact of plastic pollution on oceans and wildlife.
While some in the industry acknowledge the issues and commit to improving recycling efficiency, environmentalists and lawmakers are pushing for more drastic measures, such as banning single-use plastics and promoting plastic alternatives to address the plastic waste crisis.
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The plastic supply chain
The documentary film "The Story of Plastic" takes a critical look at the plastic supply chain and the global plastic pollution crisis. It highlights how the plastic supply chain begins with fracked natural gas in the United States and ends with mountains of plastic waste in other parts of the world, often in poorer countries. The film emphasizes the role of the petrochemical industry in producing plastic, with 99% of plastic derived from fossil fuels. It also underscores the human health and environmental risks associated with plastic production and disposal, such as toxic chemical releases and climate change impacts.
The story of plastic supply chain is a complex one, with plastic production concentrated in oil-producing countries with advanced petrochemical industries. The documentary shines a light on the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of recycling, which has been manipulated by the oil and gas industry. It presents a cohesive timeline of how the world arrived at its current state of plastic pollution, with single-use plastics becoming an unsustainable function of rampant consumerism.
The film showcases the efforts of community members working towards solutions, like Shibu K. Nair, a zero-waste champion in India, who points out the exploitative nature of the recycling economy. It also highlights the global resistance fighting back against plastic pollution. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for companies to design products with reuse, composting, or effective recycling in mind, shifting the focus from waste management to waste reduction and reuse.
The US plastics supply chain is heavily concentrated along the Chemical Coast in Texas and Louisiana, which accounts for 84% of US plastics production. Major companies like ExxonMobil, Dow, and LyondellBasell are among the largest plastics producers, manufacturing resins and end-product plastics like HDPE, PVC, and polypropylene. These plastics are used in a wide range of products, from laundry detergent containers to single-use drink cups, contributing to the ubiquitous presence of plastic in our daily lives.
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The petrochemical industry
The Story of Plastic is a documentary film that exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. It presents a cohesive timeline of how the world arrived at its current plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry manipulated the narrative. The film reveals that the petrochemical industry produces about 400 million metric tons of plastic annually, with 97% to 99% of plastic derived from fossil fuels. This industry is dominated by large chemical and oil and gas companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Saudi Aramco, which are ramping up plastic output to hedge against the possibility of reduced fuel demand due to climate change initiatives.
The industry's narrative often blames waste management issues and governments' inadequate funding. However, the real problem is the inherent unmanageability of plastic waste. As plastic pollution becomes a more pressing environmental issue, there is a growing focus on reducing plastic production and use. Various countries have enacted legislation banning or restricting single-use plastic products, and 170 countries pledged to significantly reduce plastic use by 2030. Additionally, leading institutions have called for cuts in plastic production to achieve substantial reductions in plastic waste.
To address plastic pollution, companies must design products with reuse, composting, or effective recycling in mind. Mechanical recycling, for instance, is commercially viable and promotes circularity by keeping plastic and its embedded energy intact. While individual actions like using canvas bags or metal straws are not enough, they can still be important. The film highlights the need for systemic change and producer responsibility, urging viewers to recognize that buying plastic products supports the fossil fuel industry and contributes to global pollution.
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Plastic's impact on the environment
The documentary film "The Story of Plastic" exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of recycling. The film reveals how the oil and gas industry has manipulated the narrative around plastic pollution and highlights the global resistance fighting back. It is a call for producer responsibility and for companies to design products with a plan for reuse, composting, or effective recycling.
Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous in natural and built environments, with plastic waste ending up in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even the farthest reaches of the planet, such as the Antarctic tundra and tropical coral reefs. Research shows that plastic pollution may take between 100 to 1,000 years or more to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. During this time, plastic can fragment into smaller pieces, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, which are found in every ecosystem on the planet.
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the marine environment, with more than 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastics. It also puts marine life at risk of entanglement and suffocation. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimated that in 2019, plastic products were responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 90% of these emissions coming from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products. If human behavior remains unchanged, these emissions are projected to double by 2060.
The global plastics industry is expected to account for 20% of total oil consumption and up to 15% of global carbon emissions by 2050, further contributing to the climate crisis. The film "The Story of Plastic" emphasizes the role of the petrochemical industry in ramping up fossil fuel production and the need to reduce and reuse plastic to mitigate its environmental impact. It takes viewers on a journey through the supply chain, from fracked natural gas in the United States to mountains of plastic waste in other parts of the world, highlighting the entire system of plastic production and its human health and environmental consequences.
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Solutions to plastic pollution
The documentary "The Story of Plastic" exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of recycling. It highlights the systemic nature of the problem and calls for producer responsibility, urging companies to design products with a plan for their reuse, composting, or effective recycling. Here are some detailed solutions to address plastic pollution:
Policy Enforcement and Systemic Change: Solutions to plastic pollution require strong policies and regenerative strategies that focus on prevention. This involves addressing the root causes of plastic pollution, such as the practices of the plastic and petrochemical industries. Policies should aim to reduce plastic production and promote sustainable alternatives. Additionally, policies should be enforced to hold corporations accountable for their deceptive tactics and false solutions, such as greenwashing, where they falsely advertise products as environmentally friendly.
Improving Business Practices: Businesses should shift their focus from recycling to reducing plastic use and promoting reuse and composting. They need to design products with a plan for their entire life cycle, ensuring they can be effectively recycled or composted. Businesses should also avoid greenwashing and provide transparent information about their products' environmental impact.
Individual Behaviour Changes: Individuals can make a significant impact by embracing plastic-free principles. This involves reducing single-use plastic consumption and adopting reusable alternatives. People can bring their own totes for shopping, use reusable water bottles, carry their own silverware, and avoid products with microplastics, such as facial scrubs and toothpaste with plastic scrubbers. Individual actions can collectively lead to a substantial reduction in plastic pollution.
Global Awareness and Collaboration: Addressing plastic pollution requires a global effort. Local communities and international groups are already uniting to tackle the problem at its source. By sharing knowledge, best practices, and advocating for systemic change, we can increase global awareness of the plastic pollution crisis and work together to implement effective solutions. This includes supporting organizations like the Plastic Pollution Coalition, which provides resources and guides to help individuals and communities transition to a life with less plastic.
Addressing Social and Environmental Injustices: Frontline communities, often disproportionately harmed by plastic pollution, must be centered and listened to. Solutions should be just, equitable, and accessible to all. This includes addressing the exploitation of marginalized communities in the recycling economy and ensuring that the burden of wealthy nations' plastic waste is not transferred to poorer countries.
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Frequently asked questions
The documentary film exposes the ugly truth behind plastic pollution and the false solution of plastic recycling. It presents a cohesive timeline of how the world arrived at its current plastic pollution crisis and how the oil and gas industry has manipulated the narrative.
The film premiered on the Discovery Channel. It is also available to educational institutions and government agencies through Outcast Films.
The documentary is directed by Deia Schlosberg.
The film was produced by Kyle Cadotte, Megan Ponder, and Stiv Wilson.
The film's runtime is not publicly available but it is a feature-length documentary, so it is likely to be over 60 minutes.
