'This is an issue of vast scales. So, it was up to us in the plastics industry to solve this problem so that they could continue to package their products in plastic. For the last 40 years, the conversation in this country has been about the recycle part of "reduce, reuse, recycle.". Is this recyclable? The documentary is directed by Craig Leeson, an Australian journalist dedicated to investigating the impact our obsession with plastic is having on the planetspecifically our oceans. We reached out to more than a dozen major plastic makers; the only one that would sit down with us was Chevron Phillips. Glass? I guess I think of it more as an investment in managing plastic waste. ', "Business is being lost; analysts are beginning to take notice. William J. Cooper, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Director of the Urban Water Research Center, University of California-Irvine'A fun and well-balanced introduction to a complex environmental topic. How much plastic will the US produce this year? Loaded with more than 3,000 tons of waste from New Yorks Long Island. And few places have pursed recycling more aggressively than Oregon. David Allaway is a senior policy analyst with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Amid the backlash, I headed to the Texas Gulf Coast, where oil and gas companies are under pressure from climate change and increasingly turning to plastics, now their biggest growth market. What are we looking at? You cannot download interactives. This is plastic that has no home, so it's your clamshells, Ziploc bags, film, a CD, a food wrapper. That's a 3,000% increase in just a few short years. In a highly controversial action, one county in New York state has voted to ban all packaging made of two kinds of plastic. Id come to see what its archive could tell me about the evolution of the plastic problem. Demand for low-cost plastic continues to grow, and the production of new plastic is rapidly expanding. Its very confusing to a lot of people. So this is classic. Yes, because we are struggling to handle our own waste. Dr. Mike SanClements, Staff Scientist, The National Ecological Observatory Network, Affiliate Faculty, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado-Boulder'Sun's documentary sends a clear and coherent message about one of the major environmental problems we face today. The Midwest Book Review'Intriguing..chilling filmJournalist Angela Sun offers valuable new insights.' These chemicals can then enter the food chain when consumed by marine life. Ask students to predict what might happen if turtles or seabirds become less common in a coral reef ecosystem. All Rights Reserved.Graphics by. First,. and industry is investing tens of billions of dollars in new plastic plants. We follow Angela Sun while she investigates the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is where the plastic waste of three different continents accumulates. So the big plastic producers came up with a multimillion-dollar solution: advertising. What if its got a chasing arrow sign on it and you think that means its getting recycled? Because what it allows industry to do, is it allows industry to keep the conversation focused on recycling and never move the conversation on to the bigger issues, which are the full environmental impacts of all this stuff. Can we come in and look? Some items, like soda bottles and milk jugs, are easier to recycle, so theres money to be made. That code was a numbering system put inside the well-known symbol for recyclingthe chasing arrows. And yet it's become ground zero for The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, syphoning plastics from three distant continents. Not a good idea for the Earth. We're covered in plastic-based gear from head to toe. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. I think we were naive. The table is set with polyethylene products, too. It was created. Today its main lobbying group is the American Chemistry Council, and until recently its vice president of plastics was Steve Russell. To the best of my knowledge there has been no life cycle analysis of plastic. Plastic films, plastic bags, the plastic wrapping that comes around a lot of packaged goods, that all goes into the garbage. Plastic Paradise: A Swingin' Trip Through America's Polynesian Obsession: Directed by Brett O'Bourke. I notice that you guys put the big chasing arrows. Earth Day was one of the largest mass protests in U.S. history. So if you put this in your curbside tonight, do you think that this tube would be recycled? Its showing the people picking up the litter. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. The group had a plan and turned to a veteran of the industry, Ron Liesemer, to execute it. Back in Oregon, I found one of these new technologies. The idea behind that particular facility is if we improve the way that recyclables move down the conveyor belt, so they get separated, we're going to create better, cleaner streams of like materials. That was one of the comments early, that it implied that those products were being recycled. A piece of plastic debris that's been colonized by both costal barnacles (pink and striped) and a gooseneck . In 2017, however, researchers surveying the islands beaches found the highest concentration of plastic trash ever recorded.In this infographic, the colored dots show the amount of plastic and other trash collected in one survey plot. A barge filled with garbage is causing quite an international stink. His company buys throwaway plastic from some of the largest big-box stores in the U.S. The plastic industry that you were working with agreed to these and signed on to this report. They said I couldnt dream. Were they misleading the public? Her documentary, Plastic Paradise, reveals the devastating truths around single-use plastics and the reality of what they are doing to our oceans & marine life on a massive and rapid scale. These Chinese children spend most of their waking hours between plumes of smoke and mountains of plastic. Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (2013) - IMDb But as we continued our reporting in Oregon, we heard about a surprisingly similar effort that took place more than 25 years ago at a recycling company 50 miles away called Garten Services. Documentary on the perfect invention of plastic, yet its durability has built up in oceans and is killing species that are full of its waste. It includes a good history of the genesis of the plastics industry from materials shortages during World War II, and demonstrates that things put in the environment (such as a message in a bottle) can stick around for a long time and move great distances. That message is reinvigorating a backlash against plastic, the likes of which the industry hasnt seen for decades. I think it is a big moment. This is my basic question, because it seems like everybody is buying lettuce in a box now. Here's this flexible bag, and it's a plastic-metal laminate. The film's haunting message highlights the importance of society transitioning to the existing truly biodegradable polymers wherever possible and as soon as possible.' We'll just buy new hangers. By doing so, this film will inspire young people to act as global citizens and contribute to finding solutions for the major environmental problems of the coming century.' Carl F. Cranor, Professor of Philosophy, Faculty of Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California-Riverside'Plastic Paradise warns that the environment is everyone's responsibility, and that humanity cannot turn a blind eye to its own garbage forever. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler was talking up the future of recycling. Lets make more single-use plastics"dont buy into that. So much of all this stuff in the grocery store is plastic now. This is the big war. Behind the lens, Angela directed and produced the award-winning feature documentary film "Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch" currently on the film festival circuit and set to release later this year. Welcome to Hawaii's 'plastic beach', one of the world's dirtiest places Yeah, I mean, its bleeding already. Existing customers, please log in to view this film. There's dissatisfaction about what's going on with the solid waste issue." If the public thinks that recycling is working, then they're not going to be as concerned about the environment. Angela Sun is an award-winning journalist, sports caster, and filmmaker. Web Site Copyright 1995-2023 WGBH Educational Foundation. bloated seabirds and littered waterways have fueled a global anti-plastic movement. It was a critical moment. In 2015, a marine biologist came across a sea turtle in distress. There is no proof. Do you fundamentally think that in the United States recycling could ramp up to a capacity to handle the vast majority of plastic that's being produced? and plastic bans are spreading across the country. The smell of burnt plastic was in the air, and all around, there were sacks of plastic, and big piles, too. And this one talks about the cost of separating plastics from other trash. The big leverage is with the producers. Theres no one that would even take it if I paid them to take it." Presenting the possibilities of plastics. Then what? I would say that their conclusions in 1973, you say, are still true. [Chanting] Save our Earth before it's too late! Some were very skeptical but felt they had to do it. ", America has a garbage problem too long ignored. Plastics in the ocean have been building up for decades. Once in the ocean there is really no way to get it out, other than hope that it washes up on a shore and is collected. It then makes it's way up the food chain, ultimately into humans. Bagaria had come to make sure his plastic was actually being recycled and turned into tiny pellets that are used to make new plastic products. STEVE RUSSELL, VP, American Chemistry Council, 1995-2020: The thing that made them unique was the ability to do more with just a little bit of material; to make things that we used lighter and more efficient. Some people have a deep, abiding respect for the natural beauty that was once this country. In the business, theyre called "mixed plastics. I mean, for most states they did it in, recyclers didnt even know it happened. Soto, Tanya Leal (film producer). When the recycling market in China went away, Bagaria and other brokers scrambled to find a new home for their plastic, and countries like Indonesia saw a business opportunity. So, you're saying consumers stand here and think, "What can I recycle?" Planetsave'Sun offers a fresh, new voice for her generation and has made a film that can appeal to the masses.' If youre in politics, youre in deep trouble with a 35% rating. PLASTIC PARADISE: It Never Goes Away, So Where Does It Go? - Film Inquiry Use this infographic to explore how plastic pollution is affecting ocean life on a remote Pacific island. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. They wanted us to sort plastics when people thought plastics might be starting to be a problem. In an underwater paradise, a plastic nightmare. A PLASTIC OCEAN. Plastic Paradise is the first documentary to chronicle the rise, fall, and resurgence of tiki, or Polynesian pop, one of the defining cultural trends of postwar America. Students will learn the unexpected economic and ecological facets of plastic pollution and ways for each of us to minimize our plastic footprint. Because we are struggling to clean up the modern debris and modern litter in Indonesia, the additional burden of waste from overseas, I dont know how we are going to handle it. Remember, a lot of the plastic packaging that you have in your kitchen is recyclable. This is our moment, California. I remember being a kid and watching those ads. How could they go into all of these communities and tell people "You just have to recycle" when they knew there were so many problems and so many hurdles? For decades, the national response to the growing plastic waste problem has focused on one solution: recycling. Looks like a lot of shipping containers. Reflection of the documentary Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific On a bright day last summer, Larson and fellow . And the next thing you know, all of the plastic containers have these symbols on them. The common refrain in this whole field is that it's all up to consumers. I mean what is the carbon footprint? Science Documentary hosted by Ian Connacher, published by Bullfrog Films in 2009 - English narration [] Cover[] InformationAddicted to Plastic Addicted to Plastic is a documentary focusing on the worldwide production and environmental effects of plastic. In the last 20 years weve seen more environmental degradations and environmental problems in Indonesia. In this video I take you on a Swap Meet tour where we will se. Drawing from the expertise of a diversity of scientists, activists and management practitioners in the field, this film introduces its audience to issues regarding plastic production and waste-management, plastic contamination in the ocean and the hazards of plastic and its chemical cocktail to humans and wildlife.' MONIQUE OXENDER, Chief sustainability officer, Keurig Dr Pepper: I mean, youve got a couple hurdles, in the sense that youre going to have to have people sorting out tiny cups, right? Register to request a quote. In the meantime, let me just recycle this.". Ive got a couple of newspaper articles I want to show you from the past. ", "Eye-opening insightPlastic Paradise provides an informative, timely and, relevant look at the consequences of plastic consumption", "A film that moves the grassroots and has the audience thinking twice, before grabbing a straw to go with a beverage.". Sun, Angela (film director) It holds one of the worlds largest collections of industrial history. Amazing work!' Well, one thing that's different is the actual ecological context is different, that we're really bumping up against ecological limits. The sacks are from a plastic company. It said in an email that it had a comprehensive system to handle plastic waste and it follows all Indonesian laws and regulations. This is a pile of U.S. recycling. Students will learn the unexpected economic and ecological facets of plastic pollution and ways for each of us to minimize our plastic footprint. And when it comes to understanding and reducing the environmental impacts of materials, including packaging, consumers have the lowest amount of leverage. Most end up in the ocean, where they pollute the water and harm marine life; the rest are burned in garbage piles, where they release harmful dioxins into the atmosphere. But the alternative is having plastic waste in the environment. One internal document from the Society of the Plastics Industry cautioned "the techniques of cleaning and separating the mixed plastics has not been developed for large scale economic application. Then what? The big problem is that it is all about money, profits. It currently covers roughly 1.6 million square . Let me continue to use it. Angela Sun provides an excellent model of how one curious person can use her talents to follow her interests, speak from the heart, and contribute to improving the world. This is classic. LEWIS FREEMAN, VP, Society of the Plastics Industry, 1978-2001: A vice president of the DuPont company pulled me aside and said, "You guys better get up to Wilmington. Were going to have to invest in innovation, because some of these technologies still need to be further developed. Modern-day miracles that were made with the help of petrochemicals. So you can talk about this stuff a lot. The film is excellent--in its timeliness, its depth, and its presentation. Welcome to Portland. Scientists hope the larvae of the darkling beetle nicknamed "superworms" might solve the world's trash crisis thanks to their uncanny ability to eat polystyrene. Literally me. Years later, we shut it down because there was no way to make money at it. And now Im what I've always wanted to be. Our system is woefully inadequate and it needs dramatic investment. Sun, Angela (film director) Posted By : / actual instructions in flowcharting are represented in /; Under :nose exercise before and afternose exercise before and after Starting in the late '90s, Bagaria and other recycling brokers had a one-word answer to the growing plastic waste problem: China. After the community complained to the government about the burning, the dumping stopped here. All rights reserved. After a 30-minute drive, we reached a quiet neighborhood with an area hidden from the road. That needs to be. That wasnt the intent. twice the size of texas or as big as the US. They would just take the low-hanging fruits. The Plastic Paradise of Tokyo's Famous Kitchen Town Her video of the encounter quickly went viral. Along the way she meets scientists, researchers, influencers, and volunteers who shed light on the effects of our rabid plastic consumption and learns the problem is more insidious than we could have ever imagined. were contaminated with trash and plastic that cant be recycled. The manufacturing of plastic has increased from 20 million pounds worldwide in 1927 to 115 billion in 2014. It's margarine tubs, clamshells, deli containers. Would any of the trash be harmless?Use this encyclopedia article on food webs and the article on coral reef food webs to introduce students to a typical coral reef food web. Plentiful supplies of natural gas are driving down the cost of making plastic. FRONTLINE is a registered trademark of WGBH Educational Foundation. And with all that new plastic came mountains of plastic waste. and came up with a report identifying key problems with the numbering code. 08/08/2014. 11 Zero Waste Documentaries to Inform & Inspire Change - Sustainable Jungle Plastic Paradise engages students by illustrating how their everyday interactions with plastic are connected to pollution at the farthest, most exotic corners of the world . You get recycling going, that has its benefits and it improves the image of the material. harden plastic. In Washington last November, during America Recycles Week. Oh, yes. Thousands of miles away from civilization, Midway Atoll is in one of the most remote places on earth. We said go to a square. Let's do right by our future. Plastic Paradise - National Geographic Society Were they? Melati and Isabel Wijsen are on a mission to stop plastic bags from suffocating their beautiful island home of Bali. 'This is an issue of vast scales. How much water was withdrawn to produce this product? At the bottom of all these plastic containers is this little chasing arrowthe little recycling symbol with a number. Were working with other organizations to get the word out. I had no staff. 640,000 tons. "Give me raw material"that's all they wanted. With the help of an Indonesian journalist, we tried to speak to someone at New Harvestindo, but we were told there was no one available. Plastics will never go away as long as the consumer demands it. Thats the past. New Harvestindo eventually got back to us and denied it was responsible for doing anything that damaged the environment. Dr. Kirk J. Havens, Director, Coastal Watersheds Program, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary'I believe that this film portrays the state of the plastic marine debris issue accurately. Dr. Joel Baker, Director, UW Puget Sound Institute, Professor and Port of Tacoma Chair in Environmental Science, University of Washington Tacoma'Angela Sun has found a way to present the imminent dangers of plastics pollution in a jarringly visual and inquisitive formatSignificant take-home messages include a misconception of just how few plastic products are recyclable, and that plastics production will continue to increase as long as the demand for plastic products remains. This million-dollar plastic sorting system in Salem is the first of its kind in the world. And Im afraid that the same thing is happening right now. We need more work. It provides valuable information and presents that information in an engaging and visually gripping way.' Reveals the history and worldwide scope of plastics pollution, investigates, 2023 Docuseek, LLCAll rights reserved | Privacy Statement | Accessibility Statement, Angela Sun, consumption of plastics, Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Midway Atoll, plastic, pollution, gyre, Pacific gyre, Midway Atoll, war in the pacific, history of plastics, plastics in war and peace, BPA, endocrine disruptors, Frederick vom Saal, John Klavitter, Matt Brown, Captain Charles Moore, Rikeem Sholes, Lewis Goldsmith, Arnold Schwarznegger, Jean-Michel Cousteau, Gerry Fishbeck, Brian Porter, Andy Keller, Rolf Halden, Wailana, Elizabeth Keenan, Gregor Hodgson, Susie Holst, Marcus Eriksen, Noel Mendiola, Annette Horman, Indie Carbo, dianna Cohen, Anna Cummins, Kitt Doucette, Dave Rastovich, Wallace J Nichols, Lisa Boyle, Julia Brownley, Gretchen Bleiler, Jack Johnson, Micah Mendiola, Daniel McGregor, Raquel Long, Matthew Long, Greg Stone, Peter Seligmann, Algalita Marine Research and Education, plastic nets, microplastics, albatross, indicator species, recycling, single use plastics, consumer power, American Chemistry Council, ACC, Society of the Plastics Industry, SPI, bag monster. Did you feel like they cared more about selling plastic than they did about making recycling work? Dr. Patricia Corcoran, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario'Angela Sun spoke with all the right people and even went to places she wasn't supposed to go in order to present the full story on plastic pollution. Hi, Im Laura Sullivan, NPR and PBS FRONTLINE. Plastic Paradise Infographic Henderson Island has the highest concentration of plastic trash ever recorded despite being, otherwise, untouched by humans. They didnt want to go anywhere near no triangle. Big. It has really good engineering qualities; it protects food very well. Dr. Sherri A. Mason, Professor of Chemistry, Environmental Sciences Program Coordinator, SUNY at Fredonia'We are all familiar with trash, but most of us likely are unaware of indestructible plastic trash that pollutes the oceans, contaminates our seafood, kills birds, fish, and marine mammals as well as carrying toxic substances into the environment and our bodies. I think we were overly optimistic about the potential of recycling, and perpetuating that narrative led us astray. It didnt make any sense. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. One of those companies is DuPont, and on the grounds of the first du Pont family home, I found the Hagley Library. And on the day I stopped by, local lawmakers had been invited in to hear about the benefits of a new sorting machine that industry says will make recycling plastic more economical. What would happen if the corals died off?
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