We first need to understand the short but hidden history behind the plastics industry and how it became deeply rooted in our daily lives. Before plastic, people lived more sustainably, with far fewer waste problems than we face today. However, after the invention of plastic, its rapid adoption during World War II, and its explosion into consumer goods, plastic was everywhere. The growing industry came to symbolize the convenience and prosperity of the American dream. This dream came with a price. Over time, people began to notice the environmental impact, and the early seeds of today's environmental movement were planted. However, the plastics industry was quick to counter these concerns, launching campaigns that presented recycling as the solution to all our problems. They pushed the idea that pollution was the fault of consumers, not the corporations flooding the market with plastic.