Why Plastic Is Everywhere

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Plastic is in our clothes, our homes, our food packaging, and even our bodies. But just over a century ago, most of it didn’t exist. Host Sony Kassam traces plastic's surprising rise from an accidental discovery to one of the most ubiquitous materials on Earth. We explore how a substitute for ivory helped launch a new class of materials, why World War II supercharged plastic production, and how an industry built around reuse gave way to a culture of disposability. Plus: Why is so little plastic actually recycled? How did microplastics end up inside our bodies? And is replacing plastic always better for the environment? GUESTS Beth Gardiner, journalist and author of "Plastic Inc.," which…