Plastics Unwrapped Exhibit Topics
Plastics Unwrapped explores how material culture was changed—rapidly and perhaps permanently—by plastics. Learn what life was like before plastics, how they are made, why they’re so convenient to use, and what happens after we throw them away.
The exhibition covers five (5) main topics:
Life Before Plastics
Life Before Plastics
What did we ever do without them?
- Real objects used before plastics: containers, raingear, toys & pastimes
- Plastics: The First 100 Years timeline
Additional online resources:
- A History of Plastics (Plastipedia)
- A Brief History of Plastic’s Conquest of the World (Scientific American)
Science of Plastics
How are they made?- How most plastics are made
- Cracking the code – what the plastic numbers mean
- Is it recyclable?
- New directions in plastics engineering
Additional online resources:
- Resin Identification Code (SPI)
- Plastics and Polymers (NobelPrize.org)
- How Plastics Work (HowStuffWorks.com)
Health and Plastics
What are the benefits and concerns?- Plastic medical advances and prosthetics
- Avoiding phthalates and BPA
Additional online resources:
- Guide to safer plastics (Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Units)
- Ban on phthalates in children’s toys (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
Waste and Plastics
Where do they go when we throw them away?- Why plastic waste sticks around
- Informational sculptures featuring marine debris, electronic waste, plastic bags, water bottles and recyclables
- Microplastics collections
- Mammalogy specimen
Additional online resources:
- What happens to Electronic Waste? (NPR)
- Plastic Marine Debris: What We Know (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Marine Debris Program)
- Plastics Education Resources (American Chemistry Council)
- Midway: Message from the Gyre (Chris Jordan Photographic Arts)
- Albatross and Plastics (Monterey Bay Aquarium)
Rethink Plastics
What can I do?
Plastics are popular for good reasons, but it’s like time to rethink how we use them. Solutions depend on everyone: consumers, producers, governments, scientists, and engineers. The best way you can reduce plastic trash is not to acquire it. Think “Do I really need that?” before you bring more plastic home. Rely on reusable containers instead. Reuse what you can; recycle the rest. And shop smart–look for products with minimal packaging, and safe, reusable, and recycled materials. Committed communities have shown that improvements are possible. Be part of the change in the place where you live.
Recycling resources:
- How to Recycle Videos (City of Seattle)
- “Look it up” Guide to What’s Accepted (City of Seattle)
- “How do I get rid of this?” Recycling Guide (City of Seattle)
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Resources (City of Seattle)
- “Where does it go?” Recycling Game (City of Seattle)
-
“What do I do with…?” (King County)
- E-Cycle Washington Program (Department of Ecology)
- E-Cycling Where You Live (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Advocacy resources:
- Take the Pledge (Plastic Pollution Coalition)
- Bag Bans Worldwide Interactive Map (ChicoBag)
- Seattle’s Plastic Bag Ban (City of Seattle)
- E-waste State Legislation (Electronics Take Back Coalition)
- Washington Coast Savers Program (Washington Clean Coast Alliance)
- Report Pollution with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (Puget Soundkeeper Alliance)
- Turn Back the Toxic Tide (Basel Action Network)
Plastics Unwrapped Pinterest Board
Explore better consumer options and other plastic-reducing ideas by following our Plastics Unwrapped Pinterest board.
Studio Lab
Creativity and LearningThe Plastics Studio Lab is a little science, a little art, and a lot of imagination. Join us! Touch samples, try activities, and get some inspiration for reusing plastics in fun and creative ways.
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Plastics Unwrapped exhibit! There are many opportunities to get involved and learn more about the topics covered in this exhibition. Visit our “Get Involved” page for more details!
We look forward to welcoming you to the Plastics Unwrapped exhibit! There are many opportunities to get involved and learn more about the topics covered in this exhibition. Visit our “Get Involved” page for more details!