Climate change and plastic - what's the connection?

Plastics are everywhere – for good reason – they're cheap,
abundant and can go into a myriad of different products from food
packaging to vital medical equipment. But plastic waste has a
devastating effect on the environment and the manufacturing
process is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
The world is trying to agree on a treaty to reduce plastics
pollution but a recent meeting in South Korea ended in failure.
Graihagh Jackson talks to experts on the past and future of
plastics, and she hears a report from Malaysia, where plastic
waste dumps can be up to 15 metres high.


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Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Reporter in Malaysia: Leana Hosea
Guests: Susan Frankel, author of "Plastic: A Toxic Love Story",
and Dr Cressida Bowyer, Associate Professor in Arts and
Sustainability at the University of Portsmouth. Producer: Octavia
Woodward Production Support: Ellie House Production
co-ordinators: Sophie Hill and Katie Morrison Sound Mix: Tom
Brignell Editor: Simon Watts