Politics of Plastic

Plastic is everywhere. In 2017, the U.S. produced nearly 35.4 million tons (32 million metric tons) of all types of plastics, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Only about 10 percent of that is recycled. That other 90 percent settles in our external environment—on land and sea. Explore the worldwide use and misuse of plastics in society. Can all plastic be recycled? Will there be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050?