Plastic built the modern world. Where would we be without bike helmets, baggies, toothbrushes, and pacemakers? But a century into our love affair with plastic, we're starting to realize it's not such a healthy relationship. Plastics draw dwindling fossil fuels, leach harmful chemicals, litter landscapes, and destroy marine life. As journalist Susan Freinkel points out in this engaging and eye-opening book, we're nearing a crisis point. We're drowning in the stuff, and we need to start making some hard choices. Freinkel gives us the tools we need with a blend of lively anecdotes and analysis. She combs through scientific studies and economic data, reporting from China and across the United States to assess the real impact of plastic on our lives. She tells her story through eight familiar plastic objects: comb, chair, Frisbee, IV bag, disposable lighter, grocery bag, soda bottle, and credit card. Her conclusion: we cannot stay on our plastic-paved path. Plastic points the way toward a new creative partnership
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"I was afraid to read this because I thought I would walk away depressed and miserable about the toxic imprint plastic has made on my life. Fortunately, the author takes a much more balanced view of the subject. She discusses how plastic has become completely integrated into modern life- in good ways and bad. She does discuss some of the toxic effects of plastic, particularly BPA and PVC, but does not paint as much of a doomsday picture as many. It was rather a balanced discussion of whether we can amke peace with the fact of plastic in our lives by capturing the benefits of this amazing substance while also mitigating the negative affects. One thing in particular I appreciated is the continual theme that plastic has enabled a one-use only, throw-away culture. Any discussion of better use of resources (including plastic) needs to cultivate more of a culture of reuse and products that are created for long-term use."
— Katie (5 out of 5 stars)
" Interesting history of our evolving (and out of control use) of plastics. I'd read about the toxic effects before in "Our Stolen Future" how many of the chemicals used in plastics are detrimentally affecting our endocrine systems and therefore especially our offspring. It's an evolving problem and one little acknowledged in the population at large. "
— Catherine, 2/17/2014" Genius organization and excellent, readable writing style. I learned a lot from the book, and it was mostly fascinating. Enjoyed the section on chair design as much as anything. But also learning more about where our recycling goes, and what becomes of it. "
— Angela, 2/6/2014" This book opened my eyes to how plasticized our world is, and made me feel very uneasy about the 'throw-away' culture that we live in. While I didn't find it to be a page-turner of a book, it was still very interesting, and a nice blend of fact and anecdote. While reading, I have made all sorts of resolutions about shopping at Binn Inn, using my cloth shopping bags and buying products that will stand the test of time... "
— Anna, 2/4/2014" What a long, tough slog this book was, and in the end, provided no answers or next steps. However, I now know all the types of plastic chairs out there. I'm not sure I ever needed to know that. "
— Meredith, 2/1/2014" Very enjoyable read as well as informative. I appreciate the scope of issues, problems and solutions, covered. "
— Ann, 1/28/2014" Informative, fascinating, and thought-provoking. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I thought it was a bit too long at times. The great irony is that I listened to this on a Playaway device which is of course made of plastic. "
— Aubrey, 1/22/2014" I liked learning about plastic though this was a bit more in depth than I had anticipated. I couldn't get past the condescending-sounding reader. I plan to avoid her audiobooks in the future. "
— Jenn, 1/19/2014" Logic, the woman's got it. "
— Dennis, 1/16/2014" Aside from an irresistible design and the most perfect book title-and-subtitle combination ever, I found this an immensely readable and informative book on a subject we all need to pay more attention to. Plastic has changed our lives, for better or for worse. But did you know that it is also changing our bodies? And our planet? I guarantee that some of what Ms. Frankel shares in this book will change the way you consume anything, especially plastic. "
— Loree, 1/16/2014" This book was really, really interesting - I loved learning about the history of how we've used plastics and the dangers to our health and to our planet... "
— Debbie, 1/6/2014" Read all but the last chapter or so. I ran out of steam and got tired of renewing the book. It was a rather fascinating read. Mostly I discovered that our relationship with plastic is very complicated than one would think. "
— Lady, 12/24/2013" This book is an exploration into the types of plastics that we encounter in our daily lives, their history, their economic role, and their toxicity. "
— Erika, 12/23/2013" Very little useful info - learned a couple of tidbits. Pretty mild overall. Not a single mention of The Story of Stuff, although the author clearly must have read it (The Story of Stuff being much better and broader anyway) "
— Will, 12/19/2013" Really enjoyed this. Informed me, made me think, scared me about our environment but did not outright condemn plastics, which make sense as they do have a place. A most fascinating Earth Day inspired read. "
— Lisa, 11/24/2013" Hard Cover/A must read. Think you can avoid plastic...think again!! Fascinating book "
— Barbara, 3/29/2013" Enlightening! Written in a conversational tone that is easy to listen to and understand. "
— Betsie, 2/3/2013" A good read, not only on the history of plastics but their environmental impacts as well. I found information on the politics of the plastic industry pretty eye- opening. "
— Susan, 5/26/2012" An interesting book. Ms. Freinkel manages to tie together everything from chemistry to fashion to health in an entertaining manner. One complaint: no pictures, especially of the furniture she describes. Fortunately, it is easy to pull up images with google. "
— Nancy, 4/4/2012" good info. I was happy to read not just everything bad about plastic. plastic is so helpful! "
— Bologna_frog, 11/4/2011" Extremely disturbing "
— Julia, 8/20/2011" While I was totally astounded at all the plastic in our lives, I eventually gave up reading this book. "
— Pam, 8/5/2011" A surprising page-turner about plastic and how it's literally EVERYWHERE. It's pretty balanced (gives the pros and cons of plastic) by focusing each chapter on a certain plastic product/group of products (comb, chair, Frisbee, etc.). Seriously, it was quite interesting. "
— Lisa, 6/5/2011" Very interesting to learn how we came in just a few short years from the invention of plastic to now using it in every phase of our life. Now it is hard to avoid. I feel guilty every time I use a T-shirt bag now, so I try to carry a fabric bag whenever I shop. Very well researched. "
— Ruth, 6/1/2011" This is another one of those books that examines one subject from many angles. This one had interesting parts---and some parts that were a little too lecture-y for me. But now I know a lot more about plastics. I guess that's good. "
— Marilyn, 5/17/2011" Hard Cover/A must read. Think you can avoid plastic...think again!! Fascinating book "
— Barbara, 5/15/2011" Well written and well researched. A few minor errors in terminology, but nothing to detract from the overall message. "
— Cleokatra, 5/4/2011" This book is an exploration into the types of plastics that we encounter in our daily lives, their history, their economic role, and their toxicity. "
— Erika, 4/21/2011Pam Ward, an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, found her true calling reading books for the blind and physically handicapped for the Library of Congress’ Talking Books program. The fact that she can work with Blackstone Audio from the beauty of the mountains of Southern Oregon is an unexpected bonus.