Big Oil And Big Plastic Are One And The Same

Plastic is in many ways a vital technology, but did we really need to use it everywhere?

Welcome to the podcast Organized Money. You can listen to today’s episode on Apple on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Yet another consequence of the war in Iran is a looming supply shock in plastics. Plastics, derived from oil byproducts, are everywhere, but their origins remain somewhat mysterious to the average consumer. Today on the show we demystify the plastics industry with Beth Gardiner, author of the new book Plastic Inc: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil's Biggest Bet an expose of the industry that underlies modern consumer culture. Along with Matt and David, they discuss where plastics come from, how they are made, and how the situation in Iran will affect the supply chain. They also get into the major players, the semi-scam that is recycling, and whether non fossil fuel alternatives are a viable solution in a world that is already up to its knees in plastic.

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