KimFilmAnnotation7

Timothy Kim Annotation #7 12/14/2011 // Addicted to Plastic // // Word Count: 1 //// 030 //

//Addicted to Plastic// was directed by Ian Connacher, and released in 2008.

Tons of plastic waste is generated every day and the waste is cumulating since it is difficult to be recycled.
 * What is the central argument or narrative of the film?**

By attending the many research center and labs, the film address the environmental problems of plastic. Scientific data from lab to U.N statistic, plenty scientific information is provided. For example, the United Nations claim there are 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean. The film has low level of emotional appeal.
 * How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?**

Economic and environmental problems were focused mostly while an example UniquoEco, Kenya suggests its ability change waste problems to cultural assets. In the beginning of the film, the director narrates that “productivity, which had to be high to supply all the war needs, then when the war ended, needed to have a civilian outlet to keep those factories in business. Postwar, Buiks replaced tanks on assembly lines, and plastic output was aimed at the optimistic postwar consumer, who didn’t want to conserve and ration anymore and was happy to buy into a lifestyle being sold to them: variety, leisure time, freedom from drudgery, consumption, disposability.” Massive production of plastic was necessary after the war. Captain Charles Moore, Dr. Jan van Franeker, and Japanese lab showed how much plastics were in ocean and how food chain was affected by it. CHEMICALS of plastic were heavily discussed in the film. Dr. David Busbee, geneticist, Texas A&M University, found DEHP (plasticizer) in local water and his researches show that DEHP has significant impact in human genes. A recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control showed that nearly every American tested for the chemical Bisphenol-A(BPA) showed measurable levels in their urine and children had a highest level.Dr. Frederick vom Saal, BPA expert at University of Missouri-Columbia, claims that “less than a trillionth of a gram of the natural hormone estradiol in a milliliter of blood is sufficient to cause changes in the development and the functioning of cells in the human body, and that is also true for this chemical Bisphenol-A.” He argues that industry is lying since he believes that the industry will do anything to protect its profits. He predicts the destiny of plastic industry will similar to tobacco industry that they will pay their price someday.
 * What sustainability problems does the film draw out?**

I was most compelled by complexity and difficulty in recycling process. The following stat shows that how much plastic materials by their types are actually getting recycled in United States. 1 Pete – 14%; 2 Hdpe – 9%; 3 V – 0 %; 4 Ldpe – 2.4%; 5 PP - .2%; 6 PS – 0%; 7 Other – 6% From observing and listening to people in recycle industry, I learned that most products are made of mixed plastic that is hard to be separated. The major complaint was that manufactures and recyclers don’t talk to each other. Recycler can never predict the product that they will receive. For example, the recycler pulled out one product that has six different plastic types with two metal types. The disconnecting in manufacture industry and recycle industry was most compelling.
 * What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?**

Although I was surprised by the “Five Gyres,” I still cannot get the full image. I mean, the ocean is vast and huge. It is not just wide, but deep as well. Since plastic must float, I am expecting more trash when the numbers were presented by Captain Charles Moore, the Algalita Marine Research Foundation.
 * What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?**

The film best address any plastic users, pretty much everyone. The chemical industry may not agree with the film since the reprehensive from chemical industry continues to talk about the benefits of plastic throughout the film.
 * What audiences does the film best address? Why?**

If the film can suggest how to limit the plastic use, it could enhance its environmental education value. I felt like the film reaches the conclusion too soon before investigating enough solutions. I don’t’ think the film did enough research. Visiting companies with innovative technology that reuse the plastic and suggesting bioplastic were not enough. I feel like there is more possible and feasible solutions that haven’t discussed in the film.
 * What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?**

Near the end of the film, the film focuses on possible solutions for plastic problems. Many examples were shown. Dr. Walter Kaminsky is a chemist at the University of Hamburg in Germany. He developed a technology that can turn plastic back to the oil from which it came with help of Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Irish Bioengineer. Dr. O’Connor successfully discover and produce bacteria that eats this oil to create biodegradable plastic. Plant-based plastics, bio-plastics, are already on the market. They are renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable. NatureWorks is the largest bio-plastics user in the world and they create all kinds of plastic product. Experts are confirming that we have enough land of agriculture to produce enough bio-plastics. Japanese electronics companies like Sony and NEC are making bio degradable products. Plantic, Australia makes starch based bio-plastics that dissolves in water and it’s nontoxic. The film strongly suggest to move away from plastic that generates waste and toxic, and use bio-plastic that can be degraded.
 * What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective actions, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.**

I looked up bioplastic on Wikipedia to learn more about applications and practices. I realized that many bioplastic companies are linked with food companies to provide bio-degradable packaging. At the moment, it is only used by people with environment concern, but in near future when fossil fuel is no longer remain, I have no doubt that all plastic industry will convert to produce bioplastic.
 * What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out?**