"The fossil-fuel industry is pivoting to plastics: massive companies are launching new refineries and other industrial plants to make plastic from petrochemicals. Science journalist Beth Gardiner follows this story in our December issue, where you'll meet the communities being harmed and the companies spending billions of dollars to control the future of plastic. To complement that read, here are a few books that you can dive into and explore the wild world of waste management, the chemistry of plastics and more examples of corporate espionage"
"On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Beth Gardiner's new book about big oil's bet on plastic's future is coming out in February 2026. She discusses the history that led us here and the big money spent to convince us not to recycle, reduce our carbon footprint or worry about single-use plastic."
The fossil-fuel industry is pivoting to plastics, with massive companies launching new refineries and industrial plants to make plastic from petrochemicals. Communities near these facilities are being harmed while companies spend billions to control the future of plastic. Recommended reading covers industry history, corporate tactics to discourage recycling, and the chemistry and global logistics of waste management. One forthcoming book (February 2026) traces the history that led to the current plastic expansion and details the money spent to convince the public not to recycle or worry about single-use plastics. Other recommended titles examine forever chemicals and the global afterlife of trash.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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