13 Jul 5 Books to Read if You Want to Live a Plastic-Free Life
It is a fact: there’s no escaping it. However, the more aware you are about the consequences of plastic on our environment, the more you can strive to make eco-conscious decisions.
Here are 5 books that highlight the journey of plastic, the problematic relationship between plastic and humankind, and ways you can reduce plastic usage in your daily life.
1. “Plastic: A Toxic Love Story” by Susan Freinkel
The plastic crisis we are currently experiencing is real. Science journalist Susan Frienkel deep dives into this issue and helps us understand why we need to start making hard choices and ditch plastic. In this book, you can find anecdotes and analyses backed by scientific studies and economic data from China and the United States to assess the real impact of plastic on our lives. She tells us her story through 8 plastic objects: combs, chairs, Frisbees, IV bags, disposable lights, grocery bags, soda bottles, and credit cards. Frienkel successfully highlights the level of unhealthy dependency we have on plastic in today’s world.
2. “One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia” by Miranda Paul
One simple change made by one person can make a big difference. This is the story of that one person – Gambian activist and social entrepreneur Isatou Ceesay. Based on real-life events, this book tells the story of how the “Queen of Recycling” found a way to combat the effects of single-use plastic bags in her community. She found a way to recycle bags that often accumulated in heaps alongside roads, brought diseases, and killed livestock. Combined with the colourful and engaging illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon, Miranda Paul brings Gambia to life through all senses.
3. “The Eco-Heroes and the Plastic Planet” by Colette Bar
Part of a series by the authors from “Save Our World”, “The Eco-Heroes and the Plastic Planet” highlights the presence of plastic in our daily lives, most of us not realising the true extent of its impact. This book by Colette Bar injects humour and touches on traditional aspects of the UAE local culture while delivering a clear message to ocean preservation and impacts of plastic pollution.
4. “Turning the Tide on Plastic: How Humanity Can Make Our Globe Clean Again” by Lucy Siegle
As habitual users of plastic, we reach out to single-use products consciously or subconsciously daily. Journalist, presenter, and eco-lifestyle expert, Lucy Siegle tells us about the change we can bring about with her “reduce, rethink, refill, refuse” approach. She says if just 12 of us adopt this approach, we can potentially ditch 3,000 to 15,000 single-use items a year. Worth a try? Definitely.
5. “Plastic Ocean” by Capt. Charles Moore with Cassandra Phillips
Recounting his ominous plastic findings in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Charles Moore raises concerns about the increasing waste. From milk jugs to polymer particles small enough to penetrate human skin, we know that plastic contributes to a host of ailments in marine wildlife and possibly humans as well. Moore imposes an urgent call to action to make a change through his revelations.
As individuals that hope to raise awareness about plastic implications, we thought we were all caught up with everything there was to know about plastic. However, these books proved us wrong. With the turn of every page, there were new revelations. So pick up a book or download an ebook, learn more, and choose to refuse.
Reem is the content executive at plasticfreeuae and the go-to source for everything sustainable in the UAE who strongly believes that mindsets can be changed through words.
