How Plastic Took Over the World – And How Big Oil is Betting on It

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KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 726 Ratings

🗓️ 14 May 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As the world moves away from fossil fuels, oil and gas companies are betting on plastic to keep profits rolling in. In her new book, “Plastic Inc.,” investigative journalist Beth Gardiner digs into how plastic went from a useful byproduct of oil and gas production into a material that has literally seeped into every aspect of our lives from the air we breathe to the water we drink. Overproduction of single-use plastic has left the world with a massive pollution problem, which plastic producers have successfully blamed on consumers, Gardiner argues. And, while Bay Area residents look for ways to reduce their plastic use, oil companies plan to double or triple plastic production. We talk about why the world is drowning in plastic and how we might reverse the trend. Guests: Beth Gardiner, environmental journalist; author, "Plastic Inc." and "Choked: Life and Breath in the Age of Air Pollution" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:00.0	You know, every day on Up First, NPR's Golden Globe nominated morning news podcast, we bring you three essential stories.
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0:57.0	Welcome to Forum.
0:59.0	I'm Alexis Madrigal.
1:01.0	When you get a hold of the basic premise of Beth Gardner's book, Plastic, Inc.
1:06.0	It may transform how you see the products you buy, the way you use them, and how you discard them.
1:12.6	Her book points out a truth that so big it was hiding in plain sight.
1:16.6	Oil companies know that the world slowly or quickly will stop burning fossil fuels to power cars
1:22.6	and homes because of climate change.
1:24.6	But they have no intention of not making profits from whatever they can
1:28.8	pump out of the ground. So what's their future plan? Got one word for you, plastics. For all that,
	...

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