Stop Plastic Pollution

Host
Plastic Man

Part I: Introduction

Is plastic “good” garbage? On our program today, we will discuss what plastics are made of, why there is so much plastic garbage around, and what we should do about it.

Plastic is a part of our lives. There are nearly 50 kinds of plastics commonly used to make everything from juice containers and garbage bags to windows and doors. Many plastic products cannot be used again, so we throw them out. We might say that good garbage is material that decays in the environment without harming it. The problem with plastic garbage is that it does not turn into another harmless material. It turns into poisonous products. Plastic pollutes the earth. So, plastic is not “good” garbage. Plastic is litter that lasts.

Today, we welcome Plastic Man to our show. He is going to help us learn more about plastic and how it affects our environment.

Part II: What is plastic?

Hello, Plastic Man! Welcome to [name of show].

Hello! Do you mind if I smoke?

Well, umm, no. I guess it will be all right. Now, Plastic Man, can you tell us what plastic is made of?

Certainly. I am vinyl, one kind of plastic. Most plastic, like me, is made from acids and petroleum by-products such as oil and natural gas. I am heated and treated with chemicals to form a liquid substance. Then, I’m molded into shapes by machines. I am super tough.

I hear that making plastic uses a lot of energy and creates many poisonous wastes. When the waste leaves the factories and pollutes the air and water it harms fish and other wildlife. Sometimes the wastes cause cancer and other diseases in humans.

Yes, and I’m one of the worst plastics. But I make your life so much easier. I can be made into water bottles, toys, pens, even car parts. Have you ever had a drink or meal in a foam cup or container?

Foam is a kind of plastic, too.

Plastic is used to make so many things — soda bottles, milk jugs, peanut butter jars, drinking straws, even broom fibers. Tell me, Plastic Man, why are so many items made of you?

Plastics are very strong and durable. We won’t rot, decay, tear, crack or dissolve. You cannot get rid of us! Even 500 years from now, the foam cup you throw away will still be a piece of garbage in a landfill site.

If plastic was invented to last such a long time, why is it used for so many things that are thrown out after one use? It has replaced many items that can be recycled such as glass bottles and paper bags.

Well — some plastics can be recycled. You might be surprised to know where we end up. We can be melted to make new products such as pails, hair combs, furniture, floor tiles, even polyester clothing.

But many of these goods cannot be recycled again. Some day, these things will have to be thrown out, too. And every time you are made into something new, you cause more pollution.

Ouch!

What’s wrong?

I burned myself with my cigarette. Ohhh…

What is that smell?

Oh, excuse me, just a little gas. It happens when I get burned.

There are no safe ways to get rid of you, isn’t that true? We can’t burn you because poisonous substances are released into the air we breathe. If we try to bury you, you may last dozens, even hundreds of years, and pollute the soil where we grow our food. [gasping] Oh, you smell awful! Plastic Man, I am afraid that I must
ask you to leave.

Leave? No, sir. Once Plastic Man is here, he is here to stay. I do not go away. Shall I hold your coffee for you? Wait, I can be your chair. You name it, I can do it.

You are making me feel sick. Someone, please! Remove this hunk of plastic from the room!

[SOUND OF A STRUGGLE, CHAIRS SCRAPING, ETC.]

Noooo….Watch out. I will return as a broom and sweep all of you out of here. [Plastic Man lets out an evil laugh.]

What are we going to do with him? Plastic Man is polluting our environment.

Part III: Protecting our planet from plastic waste

We learned from Plastic Man that we should not let plastic invade our life. The best way to protect our environment is to use fewer plastic products. How much plastic do you use? Try to choose products that do not have plastic packages. Carry a re-usable coffee cup with you, rather than using foam cups. Use cloth bags to carry things. Can you reuse any plastic you do buy? For example, you can wash and reuse plastic bags. Cut plastic bottles in half and use them as containers.

If you can’t reduce, or reuse, you can recycle. Many plastics can be recycled. Find out what plastic products can be recycled in your area.

If there is no recycling program in your community, maybe you could start one.

These are just a few ideas for reducing, re-using and recycling plastic. You may have more. Share your ideas. Remember, plastic is not good garbage because it does not decay safely in the environment. Protect our planet from plastic waste!