S2 Ep. 12 Plastics Without Borders: Inside Us
This week’s bonus episode comes from South by Southwest London, where Earth Set and the Blue Earth Summit hosted a live discussion exploring one of the most overlooked dimensions of the plastics crisis: human health.
Guests:
Sian Sutherland - Host, Founder of A Plastic Planet
Saabira Chaudhuri - Author of Consumed
Laura Harnett - Founder, Seep
Amir Afshar - Founder, Shellworks
Professor Richard Lea - University of Nottingham
The conversation moves beyond familiar debates about litter, recycling and ocean pollution to examine what happens when plastic becomes part of our bodies. From declining fertility and endocrine-disrupting chemicals to the history of single-use plastics and the challenge of building viable alternatives, the discussion brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, campaigners and journalists to ask a difficult question: if the evidence around plastic’s health impacts continues to grow, what will it take for business, policymakers and consumers to respond?
Along the way, the panel explores how plastics became embedded in modern life, why recycling is not the answer to solving the crisis, and whether a new generation of materials and business models can reduce our dependence on fossil-fuel-based plastics without creating new problems of their own.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
How endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems and reproductive health
Why scientists are increasingly concerned about declining fertility rates, falling sperm counts and rising reproductive disorders
How exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy may affect health outcomes later in life
The surprising history of how plastics transformed consumer behaviour, packaging and modern convenience
Why plastic production continues to grow despite decades of recycling campaigns and public awareness efforts
What critics argue is wrong with today’s recycling system — and why many believe reduction and reuse must play a larger role
How entrepreneurs are developing alternative materials designed to replicate the benefits of plastic without creating persistent waste
Why regulation, economics and consumer expectations remain major barriers to scaling plastic-free solutions
Whether human health concerns could become the catalyst that finally accelerates action on plastic pollution and chemical safety