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Reflection: Plastic Wars Documentary (frontline)

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Reflection: Plastic Wars Documentary (frontline)

The Plastic Wars is an expose on the industry’s deceptive practices concerning plastic

waste. The propaganda of the documentaries dwells on how recycling sustainability is

deliberately advocated by industry with full knowledge of impossibility of widespread plastic

recycling. The video discloses a shocking discrepancy between public communication and

private cognition, which highlights a well-calculated approach to prioritize profits and sustain the

production of plastic under the guise of environmentalism. The film starts with an overall

perspective which shows how these industries have been deliberately promoting recycling as a

way of responding to growing concerns over plastic waste in the environment. It takes us through

years of industrial practices that expose how recycling has been employed by the industry for PR

purposes in order to prevent plastic bags and secure profits instead. To do this, “Plastic Wars”

combines interviews, secret records and field visits aimed at finding out where American plastic

garbage goes. These pieces of evidence are put together so that we have a big picture about an

industry which supposedly cares about protecting nature but does otherwise.

The documentary is rich in evidence that proves its point; such as internal memos from

the seventies which openly express doubts over big scale plastic recycling’s economic viability.

Apart from this, previous top executives in the industry have come out to reveal how they

strategically promoted recycling throughout 1980s and 1990s in response to growing anti-plastic

sentiments. These findings are a discredit to the industry proving that it was not genuinely

concerned about sustainability but rather planned ahead by pushing for recycling as a preventive

move against possible bans on plastics. There is a powerful emotional appeal in the documentary.

It makes one to feel angry and betrayed. Thus, people can see how industry’s lies about the
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environment are making global citizens worry about plastics. Through confidential memos and

ex-industry workers' personal experiences, the film offers a distressing record of deceitfulness in

plastics. Internal documents as far back as the seventies indicate doubts about whether large-

scale plastic recycling makes economic sense. The recycling of plastics was pushed as part of a

strategy to counter growing concerns regarding them, a fact that is now confirmed by previous

CEOs who have broken their silence on this issue. This movie explores the global impact of

exporting plastic waste to China for recycling. These illustrations reveal an industry that

deliberately prioritized profit over genuine environmental sustainability. On one hand, it is clear

from the film that industry was busy promoting recycling while admitting privately that it would

never be economically feasible to do so. Such incredible contradictions by the plastic industry

demonstrate how recycling can contribute towards solving problems associated with plastic

waste crisis

The industry pretends to promote recycling yet admits that it does not work well. The

results of such deception are that people stop trusting the manufacturers. It is surprising to know

that for over four decades, only less than 10% of the plastic has been recycled. This is a shocking

fact for most people who believed that recycling was an effective solution. The film vividly

shows the environmental consequences of plastics pollution including exporting waste to

countries like China and subsequent dumping in Indonesian vulnerable communities. Moreover,

it explains that the issue of plastic waste is global and affects certain groups more than others.

The documentary explains in painstaking detail how the plastics industry, anxious about the

public’s growing concern for it, used recycling as a strategy to counter criticism and maintain

profitability. This calculated disposition is manifested through internal documents and candid
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interviews that demonstrate a deliberate intention to prioritize economic interests over true

environmental responsibility. The fact that the industry admitted years ago that large-scale plastic

recycling was unlikely raises serious questions about its commitment to sustainability.

The film reveals how bad plastic waste affects China and other Asian countries on which

western society dumps its waste. The movie emphasizes how critical this problem is becoming,

especially when considering such factors as social responsibility, environmental degradation at

large scale, and human health risks.

“Plastic Wars” does a good job of getting the point across about the urgency of plastic

waste by unveiling how industry has historically controlled public opinion. It challenges people

to rethink their understanding of plastic sustainability and calls for a change in approach by the

sector itself. The movie demands government regulations that are clear and see to it that

industries are held accountable and businesses prioritize profit over environmental responsibility.

Additionally, it urges people to think again about recycling as their only solution, minimize

single-use plastics, and actively participate in larger discussions on sustainable waste

management practices.

Some individuals may want to push for systemic changes within the plastics industry,

reduce their dependence on throw-away plastics as well as pursue environmentally friendly

alternatives after watching this documentary. The film makes the viewers understand that they

are part of what should lead to corporate accountability urging a collective commitment
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demanding a response from all parties involved towards tackling plastic waste crisis. This

revelation has a deep impact that stirs up feelings of disappointment and anger among viewers.

The sharp difference between how recycling is portrayed by the industry as an eco-friendly

solution and its own knowledge of its impracticability adds to concerns over global plastic waste

crisis. It makes sense for everyone to take note of this staggering figure of less than 10 percent of

plastics being recycled in four decades, which calls for an urgent need for systemic changes.

“Plastic Wars” creates a united front among viewers who are urged to rethink their dependence

on single-use plastics and shift towards sustainable alternatives due to deceptive practices by

industries.

To conclude, “Plastic Wars” is a wake-up call to unravel the intricate web of deception

woven by the plastics industry in its promotion of recycling. It challenges the basic principles of

sustainability within the industry through a purposeful dichotomy between public narratives and

internal understanding which is evident through internal documents and first-hand accounts.

Thus, this revelation has an unforgettable effect on the viewers making them feel disappointed

and needing them to act immediately. This documentary also uncovers not only how the industry

strategized about sustaining profits but also leads to self-reflection regarding individual roles as

well as structural adjustments. Lastly, it is a collective call for action, urging viewers to question

industry practices, advocate for clear policies, and join global efforts aimed at resolving plastic

waste issues. Thus, “Plastic Wars” goes beyond revealing; it stimulates change by making people

want to change their attitude towards plastics thereby embracing a sustainable future for Earth.
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References

Frontline PBS. (2020). Plastic wars (full documentary). [YouTube]. https://youtu.be/-dk3NOEgX7o