Book Review: "Transforming Plastic: From Pollution to Evolution"
Many different solutions to plastic waste and recycling have popped up in recent years. Most of the arguments seem black and white on these issues, but there are some researchers and scientists trying to find a balance. In Transforming Plastic: From Pollution to Evolution, Albert Bates attacks the plastic problem that threatens the modern world while maintaining a sense of optimism. He does use the imagery that permeates throughout the plastic cause (like the deceased sea creature with a stomach full of plastic) to tug at the heartstrings and convince people to carry a reusable straw, but he quickly moves past this and presents a more nuanced insight into the plastic problem. Bates takes the time to breakdown different types of plastic and the challenges moving forward with a greener alternative to conventional plastics.
The first part of the book breaks down the differences between the different types of plastics, their primary uses, and the issues surrounding their disposal. While some of the language used to highlight the differences between the plastic types is fairly technical, Bates does a good job communicating the meaning behind the language to his readers. He talks about the molecular properties of each type of plastic, why they are unable to be recycled, and why with the current technology we have available, some types of plastic can only be safely disposed of in a landfill. Bates also breaks down the problems with recycling and how quality degrades when bonds are constantly broken and reformed or if the recycled plastic becomes contaminated during the process.
Bates tackles the popular vision for the future where all plastic in the world is biodegradable or compostable by pointing out some issues that could arise in this world. He directly addresses plastics in medical applications, food packaging, and general storage and the issues that could arise if degradation of future plastic is prematurely triggered. This section of the book is informative and does not discount the importance of developing biodegradable plastics, but highlights the importance of some plastics (like medical implants) remaining in the form that they currently exist. Bates does not vilify plastics like other writers but instead presents the intricacies of the plastic issue that I find is often broken down to a black and white problem with only one solution.
In the second half of the book, Bates outlines different solutions to the plastic problems that have been explored by different companies and governments across the globe. Some of the programs that have been suggested have massive goals that are fairly unrealistic with the technology that is currently available, and Bates takes the time to explain why these idealistic plans may not be the magical solution to the problem.
The take away from the book is that the plastic problem is not black and white, and the solution is going to take action from every level of society. Policies need to be enacted that will push funding towards greener plastic alternatives, societal pressures need to be put on corporations to change their manufacturing processes, and the recycling system needs an overhaul in most countries. Plastic is a problem in the modern world, but Bates leaves readers with an optimistic idea that together, the problem can be solved and plastic can be evolved.
All in all, I definitely recommend this book to any reader looking to learn more about the plastic problem facing the planet and the myriad of solutions that have been proposed. This book is easy to understand for anyone regardless of their scientific background, and concise enough to keep the interest of the reader. Bates also provides resources within the pages of the book for anyone looking to further their research and learn how to lead the charge in the plastic evolution.
