Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the Straw and Find the Pollution Solution to Bottles, Bags, and Other Single-Use Plastics

Gr 3-8–Plastic pollution is a global problem. Items as small as contact lenses, grocery bags, and microbeads in soaps contribute to the worldwide epidemic. This title highlights some of the ways people can eliminate or cut back on plastics, especially single-use items such as straws, disposable drink cups, water bottles, packaging, and Styrofoam containers. Interviews feature young entrepreneurs who have made an impact and emphasize how much these young advocates care about their causes. Milo Cress, a 19-year-old white American, created the “Be Straw Free” project. He is currently a spokesperson for reducing plastic waste. Angelina Arora, a 16-year-old Indian Australian girl, used shrimp shells to create a natural alternative for plastic bags. Ideas to reduce, recycle, and help eliminate plastic dependance are doable. “Try This!” suggestions are sprinkled throughout, including using cloth bags at the grocery store and bringing storage containers to a restaurant for leftovers. There are also familiar ideas for reusing plastics, such as creating a piggy bank out of a plastic bottle and repurposing old toys. The text offers a plethora of information about plastic, and photos fill the pages and reinforce the concepts explained in the prose. A lengthy index helps pinpoint precise information.