It took author Susan Freinkel all of ten seconds to realise the absurdity of her decision to go plastic free for one day. When she switched to recording every item of plastic she touched, she filled a 28cm by 19cm page within 45 minutes. By the end of the day Freinkel had filled four pages, and only because she recorded each object just once.
When we focus on something that we usually take for granted - and plastic almost certainly falls into this category; there are tens of thousands of different plastics - it tends to raise questions. Freinkel realised she knew very little about plastic: what it is, where it comes from and how it has managed to permeate our lives so profoundly.
Using eight everyday objects - comb, chair, Frisbee, IV bag, disposable lighter, grocery bag, soft drink bottle and credit card - as examples (she explains why she chose these eight specifically), Freinkel takes us on a fascinating journey that explores the history and culture of plastic and how and why we find ourselves in the predicament we’re in today - and it is a predicament.
Ironically, the search for synthetic alternatives to natural materials arose from an ‘environmental’ need. For instance, in 1897 a New York Times dispatch warned that elephants were in danger of extinction. At the time many items were made from ivory, but it was the rise in popularity of billiards (billiard balls were crafted from ivory) that caused alarm. Later, the rise of the petrochemical industry, and specifically, the need to dispose of its byproducts, fuelled (pun intended) development.
Most of the new plastics discovered during the early 20th Century were monopolised by the military during World War II, and played a significant role, but after victory was declared producers had to look elsewhere. It wasn’t long before consumers were urged to embrace the convenience and beauty of this innovative and inexpensive new material and within a few years, to embrace the concept of “throwaway living”.
Jump ahead a few decades and increasing concern about plastic, and its effect on the environment, on human life and wildlife, started drawing worldwide attention. Even so, more plastics were produced in the first decade of this century than during the entire 20th Century, and nearly all plastics ever produced are still with us, whether in our homes, our landfills or our oceans.
Freinkel does take a close look at sustainability: what is being done to address this very real issue and why we seem to be losing the battle. She cites examples of successful initiatives and explores what else needs to be done, and by whom.
‘Plastic, A Toxic Love Story’ is not a dry text book filled with technical jargon; neither is it an idealistic call for a plastic-free world. It’s a fascinating, thought-provoking and at times quite entertaining read that, despite being published nearly a year ago, I highly recommend.
Plastic, A Toxic Love Story
Author: Susan Freinkel
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
ISBN: 9780547152400
