Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the straw and find the pollution solution to bottles, bags, and other single-use plastics

Kids vs. Plastic: Ditch the straw and find the pollution solution to bottles, bags, and other single-use plastics

Jam-packed with surprising information about plastic's effect on the environment, plus loads of practical ways kids can cut down on their plastic footprint, this is the kids guide to being part of the pollution solution! It's in your toothbrush ... your clothes ... your earbuds. Chances are, you're touching it right now. We're talking about plastic! Plastic is absolutely everywhere and in practically everything we touch, from pens to water bottles to sports equipment. And a lot of it is used once and then thrown away. Unfortunately, it takes a REALLY long time for plastic to break down and it can be harmful to our environment, especially wildlife. But why and when did we start using it in so much stuff? And how do we stop? Discover shocking stats and surprising facts; inspirational interviews with National Geographic explorers and leading researchers who are working tirelessly to protect the planet; tons of simple suggestions for sustainable swaps; and more eco-friendly choices and smart action steps. This book answers all of your burning questions about plastic and offers tangible ways to get involved, reduce plastic use, and create a more plastic-free future! 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. VERDICT A win-win for everyone and a reminder that even small actions help protect the planet. Readers will walk away with ideas to recycle and eliminate plastics.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elem. Sch., San Antonio Julie Beer has been a writer, editor, and researcher in publishing and radio for more than 20 years. She is a regular contributor to National Geographic Kids books, including the popular Weird but True series, the Ultimate Explorer Field Guide series, and the This or That? series. Beer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.