Plastics: Just a Load of Rubbish?

By: Alicia Chrysostomou

Narrated by: Jennifer Ness

A decade to save the planet. That's the current call to arms. Targets are set, governments vow to do their bit and on a societal level we are encouraged to do ours by choosing to forego all things plastic. The question is whether this is the right decision or are we inadvertently at risk of doing more harm than good? Are there other factors in play needing equal consideration? The book will follow the story of plastic, and to an extent rubber (known collectively as polymers), and all with an eye to the overarching theme of the environment. It will ask some challenging questions but also sets out to inform. It begins by building a picture. Just what exactly is a plastic, how did it gain such a dominant role in our lives? Are recent denouncements fully justified? By better understanding plastics, a clearer opinion can be formed of their usefulness and their potential to alleviate serious environmental concerns.

©2023 Alicia Chrysostomou (P)2023 W.F.Howes Ltd

Excellent science based review of polymers and plastics

I read this to understand a polymer science view on plastics to counter what I have also read in books like Thicker Than Water. Both books are very good and both perspectives valid.

Interesting and useful - IF true

Lots and lots of examples of plastics uses and discussion of the alternatives. Some numbers, but not an evenly handled match. It would be more useful for me if I did not fear this was done by an agent of the industry- sorta like the Tobacco & Petroleum industries have clearly done. Alicia C's descriptors on the Net do not clarify her funding.