Can we live without plastic? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Summary

The BBC's 'Six Minute English' discusses the widespread use and environmental impact of plastics. Introduced in the 1950s, plastics have become ubiquitous, yet their non-biodegradable nature and contribution to pollution, including in oceans and human bodies, raises concerns. The program explores the need to reduce plastic production, especially single-use items, and highlights the potential of plastic-eating microbes like Rhodococcus ruber in mitigating waste. It also delves into the synthetic nature of plastics, their inability to biodegrade, and the rarity of organisms that can process them, emphasizing the need for sustainable alternatives.

Takeaways

• 😀 'Plastic is fantastic' was a popular phrase in the 1950s, highlighting the rise of mass-produced plastic items in everyday life.
• 📦 Plastic became the most commonly used material in modern life, found in a wide range of products from cars to furniture to packaging.
• 🔍 The prevalence of plastic is now being questioned due to its environmental impact, particularly from single-use plastics which contribute significantly to pollution.
• 🌊 11 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into oceans annually, with single-use plastics making up 40% of global plastic pollution.
• 🔬 Microbeads, tiny plastic particles, have been found inside the human body and can even be transferred from mother to child through breast milk.
• ⚙️ The production of plastic from fossil fuels creates environmental issues at every stage, including burning coal, transportation, and recycling.
• 🤔 The programme poses the question of whether it's time to live without plastic, suggesting a need for reevaluation of our reliance on it.
• 🔬 Dr. Sherri Mason's research into microplastics has contributed to the understanding of plastic pollution and led to policy changes, such as the US Congress banning microbeads.
• 🌱 Plastic, being synthetic, does not biodegrade as natural materials do, leading to long-lasting environmental waste that is unsightly and harmful.
• 🔬 Scientists are exploring the use of plastic-eating microbes, such as Rhodococcus ruber, to break down plastic into its basic components as a potential solution.
• 🛑 There is a call for reduced plastic production, especially in packaging and single-use products, to help preserve natural resources rather than just focusing on recycling.

Q & A

What phrase was popular in the 1950s to describe plastic?

The phrase 'Plastic is fantastic' was popular in the 1950s.

Why was plastic initially popular?

Plastic became popular due to its flexibility and ability to be formed into different shapes, which made it useful for various applications including keeping food fresh and holding liquids.

What is the main concern regarding plastic today?

The main concern today is the environmental impact of plastic, particularly single-use plastics, which contribute to pollution and climate change.

How much plastic waste is dumped into oceans annually?

11 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into oceans every year.

What percentage of plastic pollution globally is attributed to single-use plastics?

Single-use plastics make up 40% of all plastic pollution globally.

What are microbeads and how are they related to plastic pollution?

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in products like toothpastes and body scrubs. They can enter and pollute rivers, seas, and even the human body.

What is the problem with plastic in nature according to Dr. Sherri Mason?

Plastic is synthetic and nature doesn't know what to do with it. Unlike natural materials, it doesn't biodegrade because there are few organisms that can use it as a food source, especially in aquatic systems.

What is the significance of the plastic-eating microbe Rhodococcus ruber?

Rhodococcus ruber is a plastic-eating microbe that has been tested by scientists and seems capable of breaking down plastic into its basic components, potentially helping to address plastic waste.

What is the original purpose of plastic mentioned in the script?

The original purpose of plastic was to help preserve, not pollute, our natural resources.

What was the first object made of natural materials to be replaced by plastic?

The first object to be replaced by plastic was snooker balls, with the first plastic-moulding machine used in 1872 for their production.

What does the term 'biodegrade' mean in the context of the script?

To biodegrade, in the context of the script, means to decay naturally in a way that is not harmful to the environment.

What does the phrase 'few and far between' imply?

The phrase 'few and far between' implies that something is very rare or does not happen often.

What does the adjective 'synthetic' describe in the script?

The adjective 'synthetic' describes a non-natural material made by combining chemicals, as opposed to existing naturally.

What does the script suggest as a solution to the plastic problem?

The script suggests reducing plastic production, especially of packaging and single-use products, rather than just recycling, as a solution to the plastic problem.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 The Impact of Plastic on Modern Life and the Environment

This paragraph introduces the BBC's Six Minute English program, focusing on the history and prevalence of plastic in our daily lives since the 1950s. It discusses the rise of plastic as a popular material due to its flexibility and utility, but also highlights the environmental issues associated with it, such as pollution, climate change, and the presence of microplastics in the oceans and even within the human body. The segment ends with a question about the first items to be replaced by plastic and an introduction to Dr. Sherri Mason, an expert on plastic pollution, who explains the synthetic nature of plastic and its inability to biodegrade naturally.

05:05

🔬 The Science Behind Plastic Pollution and Solutions

The second paragraph delves deeper into the issue of plastic pollution, emphasizing the rarity of microbes capable of breaking down plastic and the consequent environmental waste. It mentions the scientific efforts to utilize certain microbes, such as Rhodococcus ruber, to combat plastic waste. The paragraph also stresses the need for a reduction in plastic production, particularly in packaging and single-use items, to align with plastic's original purpose of preserving natural resources. It concludes with the revelation of the first natural material item to be replaced by plastic, which was the snooker ball, and a recap of the vocabulary introduced in the program, including terms like 'single-use plastics,' 'microbeads,' 'synthetic,' 'biodegrade,' 'few and far between,' and 'unsightly.'

Keywords

💡Plastic

Plastic is a synthetic material made from polymers and is widely used due to its versatility and durability. In the script, plastic is central to the theme as it discusses the historical prevalence and current issues surrounding plastic use, such as pollution and its non-biodegradable nature.

💡Single-use plastics

Single-use plastics refer to plastic products that are designed to be used once before disposal. The script highlights the environmental impact of these items, which contribute significantly to plastic pollution, including the 11 million tonnes of plastic waste dumped into oceans annually.

💡Microbeads

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in some personal care products. The script mentions that these beads can enter water systems and even the human body, illustrating the pervasiveness of plastic in our environment and its potential health implications.

💡Synthetic

The term 'synthetic' describes something that is not naturally occurring but is instead made from chemically combined substances. In the context of the video, plastic is referred to as synthetic, emphasizing its man-made origins and the resulting environmental challenges it poses.

💡Biodegrade

To biodegrade means to break down naturally into harmless components that can be reintegrated into the environment. The script contrasts biodegradability with the persistence of plastic, which does not break down in the same way, leading to long-term environmental issues.

💡Pollution

Pollution refers to the presence or introduction of harmful substances into the environment. The script discusses various forms of pollution caused by plastic, including land, water, and even the human body through microbeads.

💡Climate change

Climate change is a significant theme in the script as it links the production and disposal of plastic to broader environmental concerns. The mention of climate change underscores the urgency of addressing plastic use and its impact on global ecosystems.

💡Fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are the source from which plastic is derived, as highlighted in the script. The production of plastic is tied to the burning of coal and other fossil fuels, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

💡Rhodococcus ruber

Rhodococcus ruber is a type of microbe mentioned in the script that has the potential to break down plastic. The reference to this microbe illustrates the scientific efforts to address plastic pollution through biological means.

💡Plastic-moulding machine

A plastic-moulding machine is used to form plastic into various shapes. The script reveals that the first such machine was used in 1872 to produce snooker balls, indicating the historical development and application of plastic materials.

💡Unsightly

The term 'unsightly' is used in the script to describe the visual impact of plastic waste, particularly when it is not properly managed. It emphasizes the aesthetic and environmental concerns associated with plastic pollution.

Highlights

The phrase 'Plastic is fantastic' was popular in the 1950s with the rise of mass-produced plastic items.

Plastic became the most commonly used material in modern life, found in a wide range of everyday items.

The current love for plastic is being questioned due to climate change and pollution caused by single-use plastics.

11 million tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into oceans annually, with single-use plastics accounting for 40% of global plastic pollution.

Microplastics, such as microbeads, have been found inside the human body and can be transmitted through breast milk.

Plastic production contributes to environmental issues at every stage, from fossil fuel extraction to recycling.

The programme questions if it's time to live without plastic, highlighting the need for alternatives.

Plastic's flexibility and ability to replace natural materials like metal, wood, and glass contributed to its popularity.

Dr. Sherri Mason's research into microplastics led to the US Congress banning microbeads, emphasizing the impact of her work.

Plastic is a synthetic material that nature doesn't know how to break down, unlike natural materials that biodegrade.

Plastic-eating microbes like Rhodococcus ruber show potential in breaking down plastic into basic components.

Reducing plastic production, especially of packaging and single-use products, is emphasized as a solution to plastic pollution.

The first plastic-moulding machine was used in 1872 to produce snooker balls, marking the beginning of plastic's replacement of natural materials.

Vocabulary recap includes terms like 'single-use plastics', 'microbeads', 'synthetic', 'biodegrade', 'few and far between', and 'unsightly'.

The programme concludes by inviting listeners to join for more trending topics and vocabulary in the next episode.

Transcripts

Hello. This is Six Minute

English from BBC

Learning English. I'm

Neil. And I'm Beth.

"Plastic is fantastic."

This phrase was used a lot in the 1950s

when mass-produced plastic items started to become part

of our everyday lives.

The following decades saw a revolution as plastic became

the most commonly used material in modern life, found in everything

from cars to furniture to packaging.

Take a quick look around

and you'll soon see how many everyday items contain plastic.

But now our love of plastic is being questioned,

mostly thanks to climate change and pollution caused by single use plastics –

plastic products which are designed to be used just once

before being thrown away. 11 million tonnes of plastic waste

are dumped into our oceans every year.

It's believed that single-use plastics make up 40%

of all plastic pollution globally. What's more,

it's not just land and water being polluted - tiny plastic pieces known

as microbeads have even been found inside the human body

and can be passed from mother to child through breast milk. And

because plastic comes from fossil fuels, the process

of making it creates problems at every stage,

from burning coal, to transportation, to recycling. In this programme,

we'll be asking: is it

time to live without plastic? And, as usual,

we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary as well.

But first I have a question for you, Beth.

One reason why plastic became so popular is that

it's a very flexible material.

It can be formed into different shapes,

making it useful for keeping food fresh, or holding liquid.

Originally, plastic was invented to replace the decreasing supply

of natural materials like metal, wood and glass. So which items did plastic

first replace? Was it:

a. snooker balls b. shopping bags or c. hairbrushes?

Hmm, I guess the first thing to be made

of plastic was a hairbrush.

OK, Beth, I'll reveal the answer later in the programme.

Dr Sherri Mason is Professor of Chemistry at Penn State University

in the US, and a specialist in plastic pollution.

Her award-winning 2017 research into microplastics

in rivers led to the US Congress banning microbeads. Here,

she explains the problem of plastics to BBC

World Service Programme, The Real Story.

Plastic is synthetic and, as a consequence of that, nature

doesn't really know what to do with it.

Like, a paper bag that's sitting on the side of the road –

it's unsightly, but within weeks

there are organisms in the soil

they can use that paper bag as a food source, right...

They have evolved to basically chew up that paper bag

and turn it back into soil,

turn it back into carbon and nitrogen and oxygen.

But with regard to plastic, because it is a synthetic material,

you don't have that evolution.

There are some organisms that can use it as a food source,

but they're few and far between, especially when you're talking

about water systems, aquatic systems and the temperatures that exist, and

so they can't really use it as a food source so plastic doesn't biodegrade...

Plastic is a synthetic material,

meaning that it's made by combining manmade chemicals,

instead of existing naturally.

Natural materials like paper decay and harmlessly turn back into soil

– they biodegrade. But plastic is not like this.

It doesn't decay and get broken down by microbes and bacteria.

In fact, some plastic-eating microbes and bacteria do exist,

but these are few and far between, they're rare –

they don't happen very often. It is the fact that

plastic doesn't decay which is responsible for the waste

we see in the environment. Waste

which is often unsightly, meaning ugly and unpleasant to

look at. Fortunately, help is at hand.

The plastic-eating microbes

Neil mentioned, especially one called Rhodococcus ruber,

have been tested by scientists

and seemed capable of breaking down plastic into its basic components.

What's also needed is an emphasis on reducing plastic production,

especially packaging and other single-use products, rather

than simply recycling. Action like this should help

plastic achieve its original purpose – to help preserve, not pollute,

our natural resources. And speaking of the origins of plastic, isn't it

time to reveal the answer to your question, Neil?

Right. I asked you

which object made of natural materials was the first to be replaced by plastic?

You said it was a hairbrush which was... the wrong answer, I'm afraid Beth.

In fact, the first plastic-moulding machine

was used in 1872

to produce snooker balls.

OK, let's recap the vocabulary

we have learned from this programme, starting with single-use plastics –

plastic products which are designed to be used just once,

before being thrown away.

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles found in products

like toothpastes and body scrubs,

which can enter and pollute rivers, seas and the human body.

The adjective synthetic describes

a non-natural material made by combining chemicals.

To biodegrade means to decay naturally in a way that is not harmful

to the environment. The phrase few and far between

means very rare or not happening very often.

And finally, if something is described as unsightly,

it's ugly and unpleasant to look at. Once again

our six minutes are up.

Join us next time for more trending topics

and useful vocabulary here at Six Minute

English. Goodbye for now.

Goodbye!