"Pliable and Easily Shaped": History, harms, and regulations of plastic in the United States

<p>The majority of plastic exists in a linear economy, wherein a product is developed with raw materials, used, and then discarded. Because there are many applications for plastic in today’s society unparalleled by alternative materials, removing all or most plastic use from daily life in the United States is unrealistic. Nevertheless, eliminating single-use plastics and improving recycling are reasonably attainable goals. </p> <p>This thesis offers a detailed discussion of the origins of plastic, including its discovery, initial applications, and growth in the United States. Against this backdrop, this thesis then examines how various nonhuman animal species and ecosystems have been negatively impacted by excessive human consumption and improper disposal of plastic. Given the ostensibly endless applications for plastic, this thesis concludes by considering how we might discontinue its use at present levels </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Justice Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2020

Author dc:creator

• Smithers, Krista Decima

• environment
• plastic
• plastic bans
• plastic regulation
• recycling
• Environmental Policy
• Environmental Public Health
• Social Justice

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Krista Decima Smithers

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/673

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1671