If you want to understand the full scope of the plastic crisis—not just where plastic ends up, but where it comes from and who profits from it—Plastic Inc. by award-winning journalist Beth Gardiner is essential reading.

 

While much attention has been paid to plastic pollution and waste, far less scrutiny has been directed at the oil and petrochemical giants producing it, companies that have largely operated in plain sight while escaping accountability. Gardiner's deeply researched exposé reveals that Big Oil deliberately promoted myths about recycling to ease public concern, funded litter campaigns to shift the blame onto consumers, and poured money and political influence into fighting bans on single-use plastics—all while pouring billions of dollars into plans to double or even triple plastic production, treating plastic as a financial lifeline as fossil fuel demand declines.

 

The book also shines a light on the growing health crisis linked to chemicals in everyday plastic products, and the mounting scientific alarm over the dangers of microplastics. Plastic Inc. is the kind of book that reframes what you thought you knew—and makes the work of organizations like Plastic Free QAC more urgent than ever.