The Plastic Problem

Gr 5-8–Salt, of AsapSCIENCE, a YouTube channel that provides science education, presents a comprehensive understanding of plastic in our environment, from how it’s made to its impact on our environment to steps we can take to correct the waste problem. Through short chapters and information bubbles, readers learn about the chemistry behind how fossil fuels are turned into different types of plastics. The environmental effects are described in detail with cartoon images and large photographs used to help readers visualize the impact. Statistics and scientific terms are used throughout, but the fun stories and relatable scenarios, such as how scientists used rubber ducks to study ocean currents, keep the information engaging. In the final chapters, solutions to the problem range from large global actions, such as filtering trash from rivers that lead to the ocean, to small personal ones, such as drinking out of reusable cups.