The Plastic Question

Making the Right Choice Is Harder Than It Looks

Experience This Story As:

 

A Backgrounder Report By

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Dan Morrison

Dan Morrison has reported from Asia, Africa, and the United States for outlets including The New York Times, National Geographic, and Al Jazeera. He is the author of “The Black Nile” (Viking, 2010).

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Heather Krause

Heather’s invaluable contribution included working with the Orb team to gather, prepare and analyze data. Heather is a professionally trained mathematical statistician with years of working on complex research problems for non-profit and NGO organizations. She is the founder and principal consultant at Datassist and has worked on every continent except Antarctica. She has a strong love of finding data, analyzing it in creative ways and using cutting edge visualization methods to visualize the results. Her emphasis is on combining strong statistical analysis with clear and meaningful communication.

Credits 

Producers:

Dan Morrison

Roxanne R. Campbell

Lesedi Mogoathle

 

Camera, Video Editors, and Photo Editors:

Roxanne R. Campbell

Timothy Sternberg

Salem Rizk

Kevin Sutherland

Nimalan Arooran

Nicola Muirhead

Jabulani Dlamini

Narayana Swamy Subbaraman

 

Photo and Video Credits:

Problem 1 video: Salem Rizk, Kevin Sutherland

Problem 1 photos: Jabulani Dlamini, National Environmental Management Agency (Kenya), Nicola Muirhead

Problem 2 video: Christopher Tyree, The Rozalia Project, Salem Rizk

Problem 2 photos: Christopher Tyree, The Rozalia Project, Langbrett

Problem 3 Video: Salem Rizk

Problem 3 photos: Nimalan Arooran, Food Packaging Forum, Salem Rizk

Problem 4 Video: TerraCycle, Kevin Sutherland

Problem 4 photos: Nicola Muirhead, Jabulani Dlamini, Kate Gibb, Aino Kattelus, Geraint Ashcroft, Jonathan Bloom (WastedFood.com), Weston Baxter

 

Additional Graphics:

Graphicacy

 

Researchers:

Therese Karlsson

Diana Dabruzzo

 

Translators:

Aline Arbid

Rana Saifi

Renata Johnson

Patricia Malentaqui

Oscar Platero

 

Copy Editor

Siddhi Camila Lama

 

Original Website Design by Uncharted Digital

Major design contribution by JAG Global Learning

 

CITATIONS

Feature References

[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14008571?via%3Dihub
[2] http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/single-use_plastics_factsheet.pdf
[3] Email, Adam Read, Suez Recycling & Recovery UK
[4] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.011
[5] Https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/plastic-bottles-turn-mattresses-quilts-much-more/article18714374.ece
[6] https://www.intechopen.com/books/polyester-production-characterization-and-innovative-applications/pet-bottle-recycling-for-sustainable-textiles
[7] https://doi.org/10.3200/JOEE.38.3.33-42
[8] http://stacks.iop.org/ERL/8/015016
[9] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.10.049
[10] https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Plastics-and-Sustainability.pdf
[11] Kershaw, P.J., Biodegradable Plastics & Marine Litter: Misconceptions, Concerns and Impacts on Marine Environments. 2015: UNEP GPA.
[12] Boonniteewanich, J., et al., Evaluation of carbon footprint of bioplastic straw compared to petroleum based straw products. Energy Procedia, 2014. 56: p. 518-524.
[13] Gallup Poll Social Series: Environment; Timberline: 937008; Jeff Jones, Lydia Saad, March 1-5, 2017
[14] Lewis, H., K. Verghese, and L. Fitzpatrick, Evaluating the sustainability impacts of packaging: the plastic carry bag dilemma. Packaging Technology and Science: An International Journal, 2010. 23(3): p. 145-160.
[15] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.027
[16] http://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2610-1-18.pdf
[17] https://ilsalvagente.it/2018/09/26/in-italy-the-first-analysis-carried-out-by-il-salvagente-find-microplastics-in-industrial-soft-drink/
[18] https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/sh-mdi101518.php
[19] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.057
[20] https://ensia.com/features/synthetic-microfibers/
[21] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.015
[22] Report FD 07/01: An investigation into the reaction and breakdown products from starting substances used to produce food contact plastics; Food Safety Authority, 2007
[23] Interview, Emma Bradley
[24] https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.6b00435
[25] https://chemsec.org/business-tool/sin-producers/
[26] https://chemicalwatch.com/71757/time-to-close-the-loop
[27] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25813067
[28] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028216613821
[29] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.070
[30] UK_Statistics_on_Waste_statistical_notice_October_2018_FINAL.pdf
[31] Adam Read, Suez Recycling & Recovery UK
[32] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/sep/01/crisps-british
[33] http://www.pepsico.co.uk/live/story/walkers-crisps-to-create-uk-s-first-nationwide-recycling-scheme-for-crisp-packets
[34] https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703960004575427150103293906
[35] https://gizmodo.com/5616427/sunchips-new-100-compostable-bag-is-hilariously-ear-damagingly-loud
[36] https://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/10/08/sunchips-bag-cautionary-tale

 

Data References

[1] https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/Global_Views_on_the_Environment.pdf
[2] https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-lovers-blog/new/etymology-corner-collins-word-of-the-year-2018,449,HCB.html
[3] https://www.collinsdictionary.com/word-lovers-blog/new/etymology-corner-collins-word-of-the-year-2018,449,HCB.html
[4] https://jambeck.engr.uga.edu/landplasticinput
[5] https://qz.com/1413165/where-are-plastic-bags-banned-around-the-world%E2%80%8B/
[6] “Plastic Bag Ban Status since the Ban in August 2017 to Date,” National Environmental Management Agency, Kenya, 2018.
[7] Boonniteewanich, J., et al., Evaluation of carbon footprint of bioplastic straw compared to petroleum based straw products. Energy Procedia, 2014. 56: p. 518-524
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652616311234
[9] Gallup Poll Social Series: Environment; Timberline: 937008; Jeff Jones, Lydia Saad, March 1-5, 2017
[10] Lewis, H., K. Verghese, and L. Fitzpatrick, Evaluating the sustainability impacts of packaging: the plastic carry bag dilemma. Packaging Technology and Science: An International Journal, 2010. 23(3): p. 145-160.
[11] Plastics Europe, June 2018
[12] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.027
[13] http://www.wrc.org.za/Knowledge%20Hub%20Documents/Research%20Reports/2610-1-18.pdf
[14] https://ilsalvagente.it/2018/09/26/in-italy-the-first-analysis-carried-out-by-il-salvagente-find-microplastics-in-industrial-soft-drink/
[15] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.057
[16] https://www.kemi.se/en/prio-start/chemicals-in-practical-use/substance-groups/phthalates
[17] Groh, K.J., et al., Overview of known plastic packaging-associated chemicals and their hazards. Science of the Total Environment, 2018