We’ve all been taught recycling is a sustainable way each of us can make a difference. But the truth is that the plastics industry paid millions to push this message--and to sell more plastic. Here's the dark truth and how it's led to some serious consequences.

Plastic industry officials long knew that recycling plastic on a large scale was unlikely to ever be economically viable. In fact, only 9% of all plastic ever created has been recycled. So where does all this plastic end up?

While the U.S. is the world’s biggest plastic polluter, all of this waste is exported to Southeast Asian countries. We desperately need better recycling infrastructures set up locally than relying on dumping our waste in developing nations. And we need to be advocating for lasting solutions to the plastic problem because our waste is our problem.

Host
Sophia Li

Producer
Stephanie Tangkilisan
Sophia Li

Associate Producer
Manal Ahmed

Researcher and Writer
Sophia Li

Additional Researcher
Manal Ahmed

Director of Photography
Alison Boya Sun

Editor
Alan Pun

Post Production Coordinator
Skolastika Lupitawina

Editor-in-Chief
Keshia Hannam

Head of Production
Stephanie Tangkilisan

Animator
Alan Pun

Graphic Design
Samuel Kang
Fitra Pratama
Annie Zhao

Additional Archival Material
Getty Images
DW Planet A
MBARI
Derek Dahlsad
smartestworkers
Matt & Jonny
Insider Business
VICE News
National Geographic
Asumsi
DW News
VDI Zentrum Ressourceneffizienz
The Leatherback Trust
Insurance TV Ads
Oceana

Additional Music
Symphonic Collective - Mosaic Factories
Ballian De Moulle - Waiting for the Answer
Big Score Audio - Searching for Solutions