'Plastic Unlimited' Book Review

'Plastic Unlimited' changes the narrative to incorporate how it is not just a personal responsibility, but a wider responsibility for all to tackle the ongoing climate issue we are currently facing. We are used to books about sustainability issues targeting the individual, telling them they need to change their lifestyle. But what if there is more to that? Read more about what Aleesha thinks below!

Book Review on ‘Plastic Unlimited: How Corporations Are Fuelling the Ecological Crisis and What We Can Do About It’ By Alice Anastasia Mah.

Written by Aleesha Vaughan (3rd Year Sociology Student & Sustainability Ambassador)

Going into this book, I thought it would be like every other book warning us about climate change... This book changed my mind. It took every myth and deceptive tactic employed by industries and exposed it for what it really is – the continuation of the addiction to fossil fuels for profitable gain. It is not just down to ‘personal responsibility’ (a narrative we are all familiar with when it comes to books about sustainability) but rather delves deeper into the historical roots of why we are having a plastic pollution problem: multinational corporations! The hiding behind “net zero” and recycling schemes shows the reality of what we are striving for, and that is not for the restoration of the world but our own selfish gain for profits. This is continued by the lack of responsibility by companies that are continuing the production of plastics but placing the blame on consumers by emphasising the guilt of consumers purchasing, causing the climate issue we are facing. We are all involved in the crisis.

In this ground-breaking book, Alice Mag revealed the reality we are living in through the lens of a sociologist. Despite the rise in awareness and the global movements attempting to tackle plastic pollution, the demand for single-use plastics is not slowing down. COVID-19 relied on the use of plastics to save lives, but the costs of doing so are weighing heavily on future generations. By absorbing all the opportunities offered by the pandemic, global industries can continue to deflect the public’s eyes away from the core problem (plastic pollution) and instead continue to exploit us all.

Why did I rate this book 5 stars? Firstly, it was written in a clear and accessible manner but still has a fundamental sociological element embedded throughout. Anyone can read and understand it which is crucial when we need this information to be universal.

Secondly, it opened my eyes to the reality we are in. For instance, I did not realise the dark reality of the circular economy and recycling being used as a way to not limit plastic production. Statistics like how many plastic bottles are being used globally made me pause and reflect on how much plastic I use in my everyday life.

As of right now, we are dependent on plastic due to companies not changing their way. Capitalism is dependent on plastic production. We need to change, and this book gives us the foundational tools to make that active change to a better and brighter future for all – and we are all involved in this fight together.