1. Documentary Review: Plastic People

Ben Addelman’s Plastic People is a must-watch documentary offering a chilling exploration of our journey from homo-sapien to “homo-plasticus”, as Dr Sedat Gündoğdu warns. It exposes the hidden truth about plastic pollution and how it has infiltrated not only the world around us but our bodies too.

Co-directed by science journalist Ziya Tong, this compelling film takes us on a journey to discover how plastic has become tightly knitted into “every aspect and pore of modern life” (Susan Freinkel, Plastic, a Toxic Love Story).

Through detailed research, expert analysis and striking visuals, the reality of our plastic lives is laid bare. The water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat contain microplastics. These tiny particles enter our blood, our brains and cells, potentially causing inflammatory responses, infertility, cancer and chronic diseases.

The roots of plastic production lie in the oil industry, where leftovers from petroleum production were peddled as consumer goods. By the mid-20th century, widespread disposable plastic usage saw plastic become a pillar of everyday life. As Tong poignantly remarks, the presence of synthetic plastics in our lives transcends the limitations of natural resources: we are no longer made of just “stardust,” but “microplastic dust” too.

The advent of “waste colonialism” has seen wealthy countries export plastic waste to Turkey, Malaysia, the Philippines and other countries. Meanwhile, misleading recycling campaigns continue to deceive consumers – less than 10% of plastic gets recycled worldwide.

Fortunately, there is hope. The film highlights inspiring global efforts to curb plastic use, from Rwanda’s ban on plastic bags to Bayfield, Canada’s status as a plastic-free community. However, in pursuit of profits, the oil industry is planning on tripling plastic production in coming decades: urgent action is required.

Plastic People is an educational wake-up call to the dangers of plastic pollution and its impacts on the human body.

Read our next blog to find out more about Plastics and Pollution…