2020 MOG: The Story of Plastic

Recently shown on the Discovery Channel, this international documentary shows the long history of plastic resulting in many current-day problems.

"As you know, COVID-19 has impacted in-person events taking place this Fall. However, we have found a virtual solution. In this unprecedented moment, it’s critical to ensure the voices of activists and marginalized communities are heard to stand up to big oil and businesses perpetuating the plastic crisis. Stories and film have a unique ability to bridge divides and bring us together as part of something bigger than ourselves – to connect us and create empathy during perilous times.​ ​The Story of Plastic​ ​takes a sweeping look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people who inhabit it."

"To that end, we hope The Story of Stuff’s new film ​The Story of Plastic ​serves as a tool to foster connection, spark dialogue, and create action."

A big thank-you to our panelists for a evening full of information and a robust discussion on what can be done with plastic moving forward.

Watch the Panel Program (1 hour, 20 minutes)

Sept, 17, 7pm Panel and Discussion:

• Introduction (5 minutes) will introduce speakers and set program protocol.
• Each panelist to speak 10 minutes encompassing the topic of the movie.
• The final 30 minutes or so, will allow questions and encourage discussion on the plastics topic.

Panelists:

Moderator - Gerry Snyder; KSU IT Specialist, MOG committee member, faculty advisor for Students for Environmental Action (SEA)

Dr. Christopher Culbertson; Professor, Department of Chemistry & Associate Dean for Research for the College of Arts and Sciences

Lee Skabelund; Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture

Bill Spiegel; Director of K-State Recycling Center

NPR Planet Money: Waster Land 9/11/20 Podcast

Additional Resources:

The Story of Plastic Research Guide (pdf) links to online resources.

The Story of Plastic FAQ Guide (pdf) contains many factual information on plastic.

NRP Planet Money Podcast: NPR ran a show about why it doesn't make sense economically and, heartbreakingly, even environmentally to recycle plastic. But if recycling most plastic is not working now — and if it didn't work 30 years ago when the numbers and arrows first popped up — did it ever work? And why did it take us so long to learn the truth? In this episode, NPR reporter Laura Sullivan, with the support of PBS's Frontline, sets out to find out who is responsible.

https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/912150085/waste-land

Excerpts from the podcast...

• 30 years ago the Plastic industry made a national promise to recycle all their plastic. Hence the recycling symbols on plastic products. Less than 10% has been recycled.
• Plastic production to triple by 2050.
• New Chevron/Phillips 6 billion dollar plant in Texas. Promised to recycle 100% of the plastic they make by 2040.
• Need more education, better collection and types of plastic. This still hasn’t changed in 30 years.
• What if the industry can not delivery on the recycling promise? Will the public still believe them?

PBS Frontline: Plastic Wars - https://youtu.be/-dk3NOEgX7o
"Have efforts to solve the plastic pollution problem made it worse? Go inside the battle over plastics, recycling and what’s at stake."