One of the biggest environmental issues in our modern world is plastic, which has become integral in the manufacturing of everything from electronics to furniture. Our reliance on plastic has led to a recycling crisis: A vast amount of plastic that winds up in our recycling bins isn’t actually recyclable, and ultimately winds up in landfills.
Large companies have committed to reducing plastic packaging and cutting back on waste. But there’s still no good way to scale up the removal of plastic that already exists. Waste-eating bacteria and enzymes have been shown to work in lab settings, but the scale-up process has a long road ahead.
Judith Enck, former EPA regional administrator and founder of the organization Beyond Plastics, has dedicated her career to advocating for making plastics more recyclable and keeping toxic chemicals out of the manufacturing process. She joins guest host Maggie Koerth to talk about why plastics are such a difficult environmental issue to solve, and what makes her feel hopeful this Earth Day.
Transcripts for this segment will be available the week after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.
Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.
Is Each Fingerprint On Your Hand Unique? | In This Computer Component, Data Slides Through Honey
The FDA Approved The First CRISPR-Based Therapy. What’s Next?
Protecting The ‘Satan’ Tarantula | If Termites Wore Stripes, Would Spiders Still Eat Them?
Scientists Are Uncovering A World Of ‘Dark Matter’ Carcinogens
Syphilis Cases Up 80% Since 2018 | The Largest Deep-Sea Coral Reef In The World
Expanding Our Umwelt: Understanding Animal Experiences
How Signing Characters Help Deaf Children Learn Language
‘Mysterious’ Canine Illness: What Dog Owners Should Know
An App For People Of Color To Rate Their Birthing Experiences | How Different Animals See
NASA Opens Canister With Asteroid Sample | ADHD Prescription Rates Spiked During The Pandemic
AI Helps Find Ancient Artifacts In The Great Lakes | An Artist Combines Indigenous Textiles With Modern Tech
When The ‘Personal’ Computer Turned 30
How The Moon Transformed Life On Earth, From Climate to Timekeeping
From Scans To Office Visits: How Will AI Shape Medicine?
Rhesus Monkey Cloned With Modified Approach Has Survived Into Adulthood
3,000 Types Of Brain Cells Categorized In Massive Brain Cell Atlas
Brain ‘Organoids’: Lab-Grown Cell Clusters Model Brain Functions
The Lasting Allure Of Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’
How Close Are We To Answers About Aliens?
NASA Delays Crewed Moon Missions | Top Technologies To Watch In 2024
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Freakonomics Radio
Radiolab
More Perfect
Snap Judgment Presents: Spooked
Death, Sex & Money