Life in Plastic...Is it Fantastic?

Becky Migas
Apr 22
6 min read

In support of Earth Month, I asked my friend and fellow business owner, Becky Migas, to write a guest blog post about plastic from her perspective because the health impacts of plastics - specifically microplastics - have come to forefront in recent months. Becky is the ProTrash Talker, a waste educator and sustainability consultant. I'm excited for you to read what she has to say; it's written brilliantly!

-Elizabeth, The Ingredient Insider

Come on Barbie, Let’s Go Party … oh oh oh oooooohhhhhh NO ….

Barbie has made a big comeback in pop culture. From the blockbuster 2023 movie to the recent AI Barbie trend, our plastic friend is everywhere. She hit the scene in 1959 with her BF(F) Ken—ready to party in every household in America.

Coincidentally (or not), the 1950s marked the beginning of plastic production in the U.S. Following World War II, industries transitioned from wartime manufacturing to producing consumer goods, and plastic became the ultimate symbol of post-war prosperity.

How Did Plastics Steal the Spotlight?

A little history...

During WWII, plastics like nylon and polyethylene were used for parachutes, radar insulation, and military gear. After the war, manufacturers pivoted. Those same materials became stockings, Tupperware, toys, and more. Cheap, lightweight, and versatile—plastics were exactly what suburban America craved in the 1950s.

Consumers wanted modern, sanitary, and convenient. (Read: disposable.) As more companies joined the plastic parade, marketing followed—targeting women in the home. In 1955, Life Magazine published an article called “Throwaway Living.” The photo spread celebrated single-use plastic and the convenience culture taking hold.

Women across the U.S. rejoiced. Companies found a goldmine: lower production costs and higher profits. Cha ching!

Then came the 1970s:

Single-use plastic was everywhere. People were also waking up to the damage. Protests erupted over dirty air, polluted rivers, and smog-choked cities. The first Earth Day in 1970 wasn’t about tree-hugging—it was a protest demanding policy change.

In 1971, Keep America Beautiful—a group backed by big corporations like Coca-Cola and Pepsi—launched the now-iconic “Crying Indian” ad. The message: “People start pollution. People can stop it.” On the surface, it encouraged anti-littering. In reality, it was strategic greenwashing. It blamed individuals for pollution while allowing industries to continue pumping out wasteful, single-use packaging.

Recycling programs emerged, but early on, materials had to be separated by type: paper, glass, plastic (mainly milk jugs). Accepted materials were limited.

[Fun fact: As I write this, Disney's “Colors of the Wind” is playing in my ears. If you’ve never listened to the lyrics—go now. Also, here’s a modern TikTok take on the song.]

The 1980s: Welcome to Plastic Not-So-Paradise

Deregulation hit. Consumerism exploded. Disposable plastics were the life of the party.

Reagan-era policies rolled back environmental protections in favor of free-market growth. Industries, including plastic producers, got more freedom—and fewer consequences. (Hhmmm sound familiar?)

Plastic production quadrupled from the 1960s. Grocery bags, Styrofoam cups, plastic utensils—they all became part of daily life. Convenience ruled, and plastic was its king.

Meanwhile, recycling campaigns ramped up to ease growing concern. Companies added the chasing arrows symbol to items that weren’t even recyclable. That symbol? It doesn’t mean recyclable—it just provides the material type.

It was a clever party trick. The Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) implemented this label system, intentionally confusing consumers. So if you feel baffled by recycling—you’re not crazy. It was designed that way.

And Now … the Party Pooper.

If trends continue (and with current deregulations, they likely will), plastic production could exceed 1.3 billion tons or more by 2060.

Why Does It Matter?

Because plastic is made from oil and gas.

From extraction (hello fracking fluids and carcinogens like benzene) to refining (think smog-forming pollutants) to additives like BPA, phthalates, and PFAS—plastic production is a chemical storm. (PS: Elizabeth talks a lot about all these chemicals via The Ingredient Insider and her Facebook Group.)

These substances contaminate air, water, and soil. They’ve been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, respiratory issues, and more. Plastics are toxic from the day they are extracted from our Earth.

Plastic comes in all forms: films, containers, clothing, makeup, food packaging and so much more. It’s in almost everything we touch. When single-stream recycling began, consumers were told, “Just toss it in the bin—the recycling facility will sort it.”

Unfortunately, recycling isn’t solving the problem. Only 9% of plastics are recycled. Why?

Because our infrastructure cannot keep up, it was not designed to handle all these plastics. Most plastics aren’t recyclable—and contaminate the rest. It ends up in our oceans. It releases chemicals from the landfill. It breaks into smaller pieces of plastics.

Enter the Uninvited Guest

Plastics don’t break down. They break apart—into tiny pieces called microplastics. They are everywhere. In all disposable plastics from food packaging to clothing.

When they break down, microplastics enter our air, water, and food, which then enters our bodies. It’s in our farms. Animals we eat, such as fish, digest it and then it enters our bodies. To date, studies have found microplastics in our blood, brains—and even babies in utero.

These microplastics contain toxic chemicals and are linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, and other health issues. We are just at the beginning stages of research on how microplastics affect the body, and it doesn’t look promising for humans—or any living creatures.

What started as a convenience is now an invisible, global threat. We are literally becoming Barbie … a life filled with plastic in our bodies. This is not so fantastic.

So... How Do We Break Up This Plastic Party?

Start small. As Elizabeth, The Ingredient Insider, wisely says:

“Reducing toxin exposures happens one lifestyle or product change at a time.” It’s the same when it comes to reducing your (plastic) waste.

You’re building a new habit. That starts with awareness, then action. Now that you know plastics are harmful—to us and to the Earth—you can begin to shift.

Step 1: Do a waste audit.

Mentally track everything you touch throughout the day—or do a full trash audit. Need help? I’ve got a free guide for that.

Step 2: Find your reduction zones.

Ask yourself:

Do I need this?
Can I refuse it?
Can I reuse or repair something instead?

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Maybe you bring a reusable water bottle. Or mend your clothes. Or skip the plastic bag. Every action counts. You don’t have to do it all; just do what works for your lifestyle. Build habits.

Step 3: Buy smarter.

Not “buy nothing”—just buy better. Ask:

Do I already own something that solves this problem?
Can I buy it with less packaging? Is the packaging recyclable?
Can I buy it in alternative packaging that is not plastic? (Opt for glass when possible. Other packaging materials are cardboard and aluminum.)
Can it be reused or recycled at the end of its life?

Step 4: Know your recycling rules.

Recycling works when we do it right. Understand what’s accepted in your local system. (Hint: Follow @protrashtalker on Instagram for tips!) Knowing this ensures materials actually get recycled.

When we all work together, the system functions more effectively.

The more actions you take, the more they compound into an eco-lifestyle. Give yourself grace as you learn these new habits. The world isn’t designed for eco-enthusiasts like you, so you have to break the status quo. It can be challenging some days, but I know you CAN do it!

Finally: Channel your inner “Barbie”—but with an eco-twist.

Share what you learn. Tell your friends, neighbors, co-workers. Be the dorky trash talker at the party. (Seriously, it’s cool. I like to think if I played Barbie today, that’s what she would do.)

The more we talk, the more we change. That leads to real policy shifts. That’s how we push corporations for better.

And yes—your dollar is your vote in a capital market. Use it wisely.

We can make a difference—when we do it together.