The Story of Plastic

Commissioned by the Discovery Channel in 2019, The Story of Plastic is a searing, multi-faceted exploration of our world's pervasive and disastrous relationship with plastic. This eye-opening documentary uncovers the uncomfortable truths behind the current global plastic pollution crisis. The Story of Plastic takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effort to curb it. Extensively researched and skillfully narrated, it sheds light on every part of the plastic production cycle - from the extraction of fossil fuels to the blatant dumping into our landscapes, oceanic bodies, and even processing as "recyclable" plastic. Directed by Deia Schlosberg, the film is not just an exposure of the problem but also a revelation of what can, and urgently needs, to be done about it. The documentary is an emotionally engaging and visually stunning work, deeply committed to educating viewers about the dire state of our environment due to plastic pollution. It dissects the journey of plastic from its creation to disposal, providing a detailed, nuanced picture of a global system that needs changing along with the motivations and consequences behind it. Beyond just focusing on the familiar problem of litter and waste, the documentary delves into the less discussed environmental impacts of the plastic life-cycle, such as climate change, pollution, and the health effects of toxins. By examining the complete life-cycle of plastic, the film goes beyond the blame game of consumer responsibility and delves into the powerful interests sustaining this system. Within its running time of 95 minutes, the film interweaves vivid animation, expert commentary, and gripping testimonies from people living through the plastic pollution crisis worldwide. The Story of Plastic presents interviews and insights from an international team of researchers, scientists, innovators, policy-makers, and activists to present the whole picture. The film showcases differing perspectives on the plastic crisis from around the globe, including Indonesia, the Philippines, China, India, and the United States. The carefully orchestrated narrative juxtaposes the growing crisis against the stark difference in waste-management infrastructure and plastics consumption between developed and developing countries. The Story of Plastic is especially notable for bringing to light the intricate web of deception spun by petrochemical companies who have, for years, pushed the blame of the crisis onto consumers for not recycling enough - even while they continued to flood the market with single-use plastic. The Story of Plastic isn't entirely doom and gloom, though. It also shares hope-filled stories of the grassroots movements and community leaders around the world who are fighting back, working to raise awareness, reduce use, manage waste, lobby for systemic change, and innovate solutions to this global crisis. The overriding message of The Story of Plastic is that the plastic pollution crisis isn't an unsolvable problem. It's not a natural disaster or an unpreventable phenomenon. It's a man-made crisis, and it requires a man-made solution. The film emphasizes that change is possible if we rethink our relationship with plastic and challenge those who would have us believe otherwise. The Story of Plastic, with its comprehensive and compelling storytelling, has a simple ask from the audience: to question - question the plastics they use, the corporations who produce them, and the policies that govern them. It asks people to understand that what they've been told by the industry about disposable plastic is less than half the story; and urges them to become part of the solution and create a world with less plastic and more sustainable living. In conclusion, The Story of Plastic is an enlightening, deeply thoughtful documentary. It provides an incomparable deep-dive into the global crisis of plastic pollution. It is not only an education in the reality of the issue but also an impassioned call to action to each of us, as global citizens, to recognize our role in perpetuating this crisis and move towards a more sustainable future. The Story of Plastic underscores the fact that we have created this problem, and we also have to power to solve it. It's a must-watch for anyone who wishes to understand the magnitude of the issue and be part of the change.

The Story of Plastic is a series categorized as a . Spanning 1 seasons with a total of 1 episodes, the show debuted on 2020. The series has earned a moderate reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 7.9.