Plastics and Microplastics

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks,and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

• Preface1. Background and HistoryIntroductionPlastics in Daily LifeHistory of PlasticsNatural and Synthetic RubbersParkisine and CelluloidBakeliteThe Modern Age of PlasticsPlastic PollutionMicroplasticsPrimary MicroplasticsSecondary MicroplasticsTransport of MicroplasticsLand and Air DepositionWater DepositionReferences2. Problems, Controversies, and SolutionsIntroductionPlastics ProductionFuture Trends in Plastics ProductionFossil Fuels and Plastics ProductionDisposal of Plastic WastesDumps and LandfillsIncinerationThe OceansEnvironmental Effects of PlasticsSoilEntanglementIngestionInteractionHuman HealthSolutionsRecyclingBiodegradable PlasticsZero WasteCircular EconomyPublic Opinion and LegislationConclusionReferences3. PerspectivesIntroductionEnvironmental Education That Empowers Students, Ashlie ArkwrightMicroplastics and Plankton, Cherilyn ChinMicroplastics Are Everywhere: Threatening the Health of the Planet and Future of Humanity, Mark FriedmanHow to Be More Eco-conscious, Pratibha GopalakrishnaBiological Recycling of Polyethylene Shopping Bags, Joel GrossmanImpacts of Plastic on Sea Turtles, Jake KraussWhat Is the True Cost of Microplastic Pollution on Our Health?, Kara RogersSmall Town Makes Big Impact, Diana Reynolds RoomeEnvironmental Hazards of Bottled Water, Ellen RubinThe Reckoning, Das Soligo4. ProfilesAlliance to End Plastic WasteLeo Baekeland (1863–1944)Wallace Carothers (1896–1937)The 5 Gyres InstituteGreenpeaceWalter Lincoln Hawkins (1911–1992)Stephanie Kwolek (1923–2014)Charles J. Moore (Dates Unavailable)Alexander Parkes (1813–1890)Boyan Slat (1994–)Surfrider Foundation5. Data and DocumentsDataTable 5.1 Global Production of Plastics, 1950–2015Table 5.2 Disposal of Plastic Wastes, 1980–2015 (%)Table 5.3 Plastic Use by Sector (million tonnes) (2015)Table 5.4 Per Capita Plastic Waste for Selected Countries, 2010 (kilograms per person per day)Table 5.5 Plastic Production and Disposal in the United States, Selected Years (thousands of tons)Table 5.6 Microplastic Concentration at Various Points in the United StatesTable 5.7 Fate of All Plastics Produced Worldwide, 1980–2015Table 5.8 Global Production of Various Types of Plastics for 2015 (millions of tons)Table 5.9 Forms of PolyethyleneDocumentsMarine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (1987)Policy Memorandum 11-03 ("Water Bottle Ban") (2011); Discontinuation of Policy (2017)Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015Effects of Microplastics on Aquatic Organisms (2016)No More Plastics in the Oceans (2017)City of Laredo, Texas, Petitioner, v. Laredo Merchants Association (NO. 16-0748) (2018)Plastic Bag Bill (Connecticut) (2019); Plastic Bag Bill (Idaho) (2016)A Circular Economy for Plastics (2019)Save Our Seas Bill (S.1982) (2019)Plastic or Bioplastic Disposable Food Service Ware (2019)San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper and S. Diane Wilson v. Formosa Plastics Corp., Texas, and Formosa Plastics Corp., U.S.A. (2019)Udall-Lowenthal Bill (2020)6. ResourcesBooksArticlesReportsInternet7. ChronologyGlossaryIndex

An excellent starting place for research on plastic and its environmental impact. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.