IN-CLASSROOM

EXPERIENCE GUIDE

FILM SUMMARY

The Story of Plastic uncovers the ugly truth behind the current global
plastic pollution crisis. Striking footage shot over three continents
illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable
mountains of trash; rivers and seas clogged with waste; and skies
choked with the poisonous runoff from plastic production and
recycling processes with no end in sight. Original animations,
interviews with experts and activists, and never-before-filmed scenes
reveal the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering
ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world – and the
global movement rising up in response.

Year: 2019 // Time: 90 min // Director: Deia Schlosberg

www.storyofplastic.org
BEFORE THE FILM

Visit storyofplastic.org/community-screenings. Under "Host a

Screening," click "Get Started" to fill out the screening intake form.
You'll receive a reply from the film team within 2 business days,
including a link to the screening application form. After confirming
your screening, the film team will deliver the film via a secure
streaming link which you will provide to your students to watch the
film independently.
10 minutes
Plastics may seem invisible to your students. Help them become more
conscious of the material by asking them to write down as many
things made out of plastic as they can think of in one minute. For
example, cups, a pen, chip bags, their chair, water bottles, etc. As an
extension, turn this into a friendly competition by seeing who can write
down the most in the class. Then explain to students that you’ll be
watching the film THE STORY OF PLASTIC to learn more about where
these items came from, and where they might be going.

Then read aloud the following:

“Plastic pollution is everywhere we look, smothering our oceans and

poisoning communities around the world. From city streets to the
arctic ice sheets, plastic pollution has reached every corner of the
globe. But it’s not just the plastic we can see; tiny particles of plastic
called microplastics are showing up in our water, our food, and even
the air we breathe. This flood of plastic is poisoning communities and
smothering our environment, threatening whole ecosystems. There is
simply too much plastic being created. If we don’t change course –
and soon – we face a future in which the consequences of our plastic
addiction will only grow more severe.”

DURING THE FILM

90 minutes

Before starting the film give each student a Story of Plastic STOP &
JOT. This worksheet is designed to help students log their thoughts
and feelings while they watch the film. We recommend that you
encourage them to add at least one log to each box. This sheet can
be used after the film for journaling or open discussion activities
(more on this later). Find your STOP & JOT worksheets on page 8 of
this guide.
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AFTER THE FILM
PROCESSING FILM CONTENT

Although THE STORY OF PLASTIC was designed to deliver complex

ideas in digestible ways, your students will be introduced to new
vocabulary and concepts. In addition, the film will challenge your
students to explore seemingly disparate connections. Here are some
resources to help them better understand what was presented in the
film.

CLASSROOM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Found on page 9 of this guide.

VOCABULARY PICTIONARY GAME

Found on page 14, 15, and 16 of this guide.

OCEAN PLASTIC SCIENCE LABS

www.algalita.org/educators
www.5gyres.org/curriculum

PLASTICS SYSTEM MAPPING

Found on page 11 and 12 of this guide.

EXPLORE IN-DEPTH REPORTS

www.storyofplastic.org/reports

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AFTER THE FILM
EXPLORING POST-FILM EMOTIONS

Many of the stories, images, and ideas presented in THE STORY OF

PLASTIC may provoke new feelings your students have never
experienced before. Some may feel emotionally paralyzed, others
may feel full of passion to solve the issue, and many may not know
exactly what they’re feeling. The resources below will help you
guide your students through this experience.

STOP & JOT OPEN DISCUSSION

Use the STOP & JOT worksheet (on page 8)
for these discussion questions (on page 10)

JOURNALING
Encourage your students to freely generate thoughts and
ideas over a period of time. We recommend 3-5 days.
See page 10 for prompt ideas.

WORRY IN / WISDOM OUT JAR

Allow students to anonymously leave notes in a jar at the
back of your classroom. Selected a few to read aloud each
day and do your best to share wisdom. Email us if you get
stuck [email protected].

LETTERS TO A HERO IN THE FILM

Address letters to Story of Plastic at Algalita
148 North Marina Drive, Long Beach CA 90803

POSTERS FOR THE CLASSROOM

Help your students process emotions by encouraging
them to create posters to hang in the classroom or
around campus. Find a way to use recycled materials to
take the inspiration to the next level!

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AFTER THE FILM
BRING INSPIRATION INTO YOUR CLASSROOM

Young people often are told that THEY are the hope in this world.
While we believe students play an important role in solving the
plastic pollution crisis, we want them to know that they are not alone.
Adults and youth all over the world are working together to stop
plastic pollution for good.

INVITE A CHANGEMAKER INTO YOUR

CLASSROOM Whether it’s in person, virtually, or through
phone interviews, giving your students a chance to meet a
real-world change-maker is an invaluable experience. Seek
out a local or visit these sites for a list of plastic pollution
organizations to reach out to.
www.breakfreefromplastic.org
www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/the-coalition

GET INVOLVED IN SOLUTIONS

Wayfinder Society is an online platform designed to help young
people join the movement to end plastic pollution
www.wayfindersociety.org

EXPLORE UPLIFTING SOLUTIONS

The Indisposable Podcast is a great place to find interviews
with heroes and champions of the movement to end plastic
pollution. Explore the site with your students or ask them to
do a verbal report on a single episode.
www.upstreamsolutions.org/podcasts

PUT UP A PLEDGE WALL IN YOUR CLASSROOM

Pledges to reduce single-use plastics are great, however be
sure to also encourage pledges that extend into the root
cause of the plastic pollution crisis. Examples may include
efforts to investigate and educate, stay on top of
legislation, and support plastic-smart businesses.

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AFTER THE FILM
GET INVOLVED LOCALLY

Instead of highlighting the efforts of one hero, THE STORY OF

PLASTIC celebrates the acts of many individuals that often go
unrecognized in today’s hero-centric culture. We strongly believe
that these acts, in large numbers, will be what enables communities
to take charge of their futures. This is where we stop asking ‘what
can I do’ and start asking, ‘what can we do.’ Below are a few ideas
that may be low-hanging fruit in your community.

RESEARCH YOUR LOCAL WASTE STREAM

Work with your students to create “Our Story of Plastic”
by following the local waste investigation guide found on
page 13.

WRITE LETTERS TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Help your students make a list of 20-30 local restaurants
and their addresses. Using this guide as inspiration, have
your students write and send letters that encourage
plastic-smart practices.

BECOME A PLASTIC-FREE CAMPUS

Visit this website to start learning how to transition your
school - www.breakfreefromplastic.org/plastic-free-campus

EXPLORE CIVIC ENGAGMENT PATHWAYS

Many students have never explored their civic engagement
pathways. Use this investigative worksheet, found on page
17, to help students understand what their local government
looks like. For extra credit have them find out who their
state representatives are by visiting this website
www.openstates.org/find_your_legislator/

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AFTER THE FILM
EXPAND BEYOND LOCAL EFFORTS

After viewing the film your students will understand that the plastic
pollution crisis is a global crisis. Luckily, our team at THE STORY OF
PLASTIC is part of an international community of change-makers all
working together toward the same vision. From youth networking
events to internship opportunities, our network is packed full of
experiences designed for young people.

EXPLORE YOUTH NETWORKING EVENTS

www.algalita.org/students
www.zerowasteyouthusa.org
www.yocs.org
www.postlandfill.org

STAY UP TO SPEED ON LEGISLATION

The following groups send out newsletters that can help:
breakfreefromplastic.org // instagram @breakfreefromplastic
surfrider.org // instagram @surfrider
plasticpollutioncoalition.org // instagram @plasticpollutes

SHARE STORIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA

#breakfreefromplastic
#storyofplastic

THANK YOU!

We strongly believe educators are some of the most important people

on this planet and we are honored to have made an impact in your
classroom. Please know that preparing young people for the challenges
ahead is not solely on your shoulders. Hundreds of nonprofit
organizations are here to support you and your students. Don’t hesitate
to reach out at any time, for anything.

The Algalita Team // [email protected]. // algalita.org/story-of-plastic

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 THE STORY OF PLASTIC
STOP & JOT

While watching THE STORY OF PLASTIC use this sheet to log your thoughts
and feelings. Feel free to use words or doodles – whatever comes natural to you.

UNFORGETABLE IMAGES IMPORTANT QUOTES & STATEMENTS

I THINK….

I FEEL….

I WONDER….

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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
FILM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Can be combined with STOP & JOT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (found on page 10)

1. What are the main messages of THE STORY OF PLASTIC?

2. Why do you think the filmmakers made this film?

3. What argument is the film making?

4. What tools did the filmmakers use to support their argument?

5. Was the film’s argument persuasive? Why or why not?

6. What parts of the film were most effective in persuading you and why?

7. If you were the filmmakers, would you have done anything differently to
make the argument more persuasive?

8. Who did the filmmakers rely on to help them make the argument?

9. Do you think the people interviewed in the film were reliable sources?
Why or why not?

10. How did the filmmakers use cinematography to support their argument?

11. Why do you think the filmmakers included ads from plastics companies?
How did it feel to see the plastics ads?

12. What are some of the benefits of plastics that were mentioned in the film?
How have plastics helped people?

13. Does plastics recycling solve the problem? What did the film reveal about
plastics recycling?

14. Who does the film argue should take responsibility for plastics pollution?

15. How do you think the public will react to this film?

16. How do you think the plastics industry will react to this film?

17. After watching the film, how do you feel about plastics? How do you feel
about the plastics industry?

18. How do you feel about the nonprofits working to fight plastic pollution?

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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
STOP & JOT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Can be combined with FILM DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (found on page 9)

1. What unforgettable images did you log in your STOP & JOT? Why are
they unforgettable?

2. What quotes or statements did you log in your STOP & JOT? Why did
they stick out to you?

3. How did it feel to hear the perspectives of the people interviewed in the
film?

4. How did it feel to see the images of plastic waste floating in the ocean?
Have you ever seen plastic waste floating in a water way? If so, where?

5. After watching the film do you feel motivated to take action? If so, how?

6. Does anyone want to share any thoughts, feelings, or questions they

logged in their STOP & JOT?

7. Who in our community may be negatively impacted by plastics and their

production and disposal? How so?

8. What do you feel may be the biggest challenge we’re facing when it
comes to solving the plastic pollution crisis?

9. Did the end of the film give you a sense of hope? If so, why? If not,
why?

10. Do you feel young people have a role in solving plastic pollution? If so,
what do you think it is?

11. How does this film make you feel about adults?

12. How does this film make you feel about the place you live?

13. Can you relate to anyone in the film? If so, who and why?

14. Is this a cause you feel compelled to stay up-to-date on?

15. Which hero in the film was more inspirational?

NOTE: If your students have questions, worries, or thoughts they’d rather

not share with the group, let them know they can connect with you directly.
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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
SYSTEMS MAPPING CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

STEP 1
Purchase 10 sets of yellow post-its, 10 sets of blue post-its, and 10 pieces
of blank poster paper roughly 3ft x 3ft in size.

STEP 2
Print out 10 system mapping sheets found on page 12, or project to save paper.

STEP 3
Instruct your students to form groups of four and spread throughout the
classroom. Each group will need to find a flat surface like a blank wall or table
that is roughly 3ft x 3ft.

STEP 4
Give each group one set of yellow post-its, one set of blue post-its, and the
systems mapping sheet you printed out in STEP 2, unless it’s being projected.

STEP 5
Instruct groups to copy the statements found on the system mapping sheet onto
the yellow post-its. Then instruct them to copy the actors listed on the bottom
of the systems mapping sheet on the blue post-its **This step saves you from
having to hand-write the post-its on your own!

STEP 6
Instruct your students to arrange the post-its however they think they should be
arranged. Give no other instruction here and allow 30 minutes for creation.

STEP 7
Have each group place their creation (exactly as is) onto their 3ft x 3ft poster
paper. This will allow them to bring it to the front of the classroom.

STEP 8
Allow each group to present their systems map. Ask these questions:

• What are some major realizations your group had while doing this activity?
• Did your group notice any leverage points for solutions?
• Did your group feel like there were any actors or facts missing?

Be sure to observe and discuss thought patterns, realizations, differences

between groups for more robust engagement.

Click here for additional system mapping resources.

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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
SYSTEMS MAPPING CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

Copy these onto yellow post-its

There is a low collection Choice is valued in our Brands have enormous

rate for plastics capitalist society lobbying power

Companies are investing Low-income people are Plastic is a petroleum

billions into new plastic harmed most product
factories

Plastic is hard to recycle There are tech barriers to Cities have different
when it is small, has mixed high PCR recycled content recycling systems. Some
materials or additives cities don’t have recycling

Fossil fuels are cheaper Turning plastic into fuel is People often don’t know
because of fracking expensive and creates how to recycle correctly
green-house gases

Plastic is lightweight – Businesses transfer the People aren’t incentivized

recycling isn’t economical cost of recycling onto the to recycle
consumer

Products are rarely China’s National sword Additives are often harmful
designed for recycling disrupted the recycling to humans
economy

It’s hard to sort the huge Inspiring people to change The public doesn’t really
variety of plastics for habits is difficult know what’s going on
recycling

Copy these onto blue post-its

FOSSIL FUEL BRANDS PLASTICS

COMPANIES MANUFACTURERS

NONPROFITS STORES GOVERNMENT

PEOPLE/CONSUMERS RECYLERS EDUCATORS

ENVIRONMENT DESIGNERS YOUTH

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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
LOCAL WASTE INVESTIGATION QUESTIONS

1. Who at the city level would know the most about our waste?

2. Where does the trash from our school go?

3. Where does the trash from our homes go?

4. Does our city have a recycling program? If so, where do the materials
go and what do they take?

5. Does our city have any laws that regulate waste?

6. Does our city have any laws that regulate the distribution of plastics?

7. Does our city export waste and recycling? If so, where to?

8. Are there plastics manufacturing businesses in our community?

9. Are there petrochemical companies in our community?

10. Who are the trash haulers in our city?

11. Are there nonprofit advocacy groups in our community working to

address waste and plastic pollution? If yes, who are they and what are
their websites?

12. Do you live near any incinerators?

13. Where is the closest landfill?

14. Are there any product refill stores in your community where you can
bring your own containers to fill up on personal and home care
products?

15. Are there any grocery stores that allow citizens to bring their own
containers to buy food in bulk?

16. Do most students at your school bring their own reusable water
bottles?

17. Does your city have industrial composting facilities?

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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
FILM VOCABULARY PICTIONARY GAME

STEP 1
Find the vocabulary lists on page 15 and 16 of this guide and print out
enough to distribute to groups of three or four students.

STEP 2
Divide your class into groups of three or four students. Give each group a
marker and a white board or pieces of scratch paper to draw on. Ask them
to draw a score box on their paper or whiteboard to keep track of their
points as they play.

STEP 3
Send one student from each group to the front of the room to get the first
word or concept from you. Whisper and/or show the word(s) to the
students on an index card so the rest of the class won’t know the word.

STEP 4
The students then return to their groups and get ready to draw a pictorial
representation of the word without speaking and without using words or
letters. Set a timer for 30 seconds to one minute (depending on the
difficulty of the representation) and then tell the students to begin drawing.
When their group correctly identifies the word within the time limit, the
group gets a point.

STEP 5
Have another student from each group come up to play the next round.
Continue playing until everyone has a chance to draw at least once.

Speed Pictionary
Once students are familiar with how the game works, you can play the
speed version of the game. Instead of timing each round of play, as soon as
a group correctly identifies the word, another student in the group should
come up to you for the next word on the list. The first group to complete all
the words on your list wins.

To keep yourself from getting confused about which vocabulary word to

show a student, number each of the words or concepts you are using for
the game. Create a set of cards for each group with the numbers 1 through
6 (or however many concepts you are using). As students come up for the
first word, give them the card with number 1. When the next person comes
back for the second word, they should return the card with number 1 and
pick up the card for number 2.

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 THE STORY OF PLASTIC
FILM VOCABULARY

Advocacy – expressing public support for a particular policy. This often involves
speaking on behalf of a person, place, or thing that cannot speak for itself.
Biodegradable – when something is capable of breaking down into its constituent
elements in the natural environment.
Chemical Recycling – is a term that refers to several technical processes where
plastics are broken down to molecular building blocks that can be used to make fuel
and other chemical products. Visit GAIA WEBSITE for more.
Circular systems – intentionally designed industrial systems in which output from one
system becomes input for that system or another industrial system, thereby
minimizing the creation and disposal of waste and minimizing the need for raw
material extraction.
Climate change – a significant change in the climate over time.
Cracking – a refining process for breaking down large, complex hydrocarbon
molecules into smaller ones. A catalyst is used to accelerate the chemical reactions in
the cracking process.
Crude oil – liquid petroleum as it comes out of the ground. Crude oil varies radically in
its properties, such as specific gravity and viscosity.
Emissions – any release of gases such as carbon dioxide which cause global warming,
a major cause of climate change.
Environmental justice (EJ) – the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all
people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations,
and policies.
Fossil fuel – an energy-rich substance type of fuel that is created from dead plant and
animal material trapped between layers of rock deep within the Earth. Over millions
of years, heat and pressure transform this material into fossil fuels. Some examples of
fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. Humans burn fossil fuels to make energy.
When fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
Fracking – hydraulic fracturing, a pressurized process in which underground rock
formations (shale) are cracked, or fracked, to release trapped oil and gas.
Grassroots movement – rallying the general public in support of your campaign.
Creating a movement that starts at the local level and works its way up.
Gyre – a large rotating system of ocean currents that collect plastic and breaks it
down into microplastic.
Hauler – a waste transporter operating truck(s) that haul waste from point of
collection to material recovery facility (MRF), from MRF to dump site, or both.
Services are typically contracted by local governments but often managed directly
by public authorities.
Incineration – burning waste material at high temperatures until it is reduced to ash.
Incineration can occur in a managed facility or out in the open environment.
Landfilling – the disposal of waste in a waste pile that is usually underground and
may be sanitary (i.e., measures have been taken to prevent leachate) or unsanitary
(no prevention measures have been taken).
Legislation – a set of laws or regulations made by a government.
Low-to-no-value plastic – plastic waste materials that do not have value in local
recycling markets (e.g., grocery bags, thin films, composite plastics, and residual
polypropylene). 15
 THE STORY OF PLASTIC
FILM VOCABULARY

Marginalize – to put someone in a position of being viewed as insignificant or

powerless within a society, being the less popular option to a decision-maker.
Material recovery facility – a facility used for separating different materials in the
waste stream.
Material Recovery Facility (MRF) – a specialized plant that receives, separates and
prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers.
Microplastic – plastic that is 5mm or smaller. This includes primary microplastics
which are created to be small, and secondary plastics that are a byproduct of other
plastic such as fragmented plastic and microfibers.
Microfiber – an extremely fine synthetic fiber that can be woven or knit into textiles
with the texture and drape of natural-fiber cloth but with enhanced washability,
breathability, and water repellency.
Municipal solid waste – waste generated by households and sometimes including
streams of commercial and industrial waste.
Natural Gas – an odorless, colorless gas found in the Earth. Natural gas is a type of
fossil fuel.
Off-gassing – the release of gases into the air as a byproduct of a chemical process.
Oil – a dark-colored liquid that can be found deep in the Earth. It can be refined to
make gasoline, diesel, asphalt, and plastics. Oil is a type of fossil fuel.
Petrochemicals – fossil-fuel-derived chemicals, some of which are used to produce
plastic.
Plastic waste leakage – the movement of plastic from land-based sources into the
ocean.
Polymer – a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely
of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic
materials used as plastics and resins.
Preproduction resin pellets (also called nurdles) – very small pellets of plastic that
serve as raw material in the manufacture of plastic products.
Recycle – the process of converting waste into reusable material, or the return of
material to a previous stage in a cycle process.
Refinery – The facility where the characteristics of petroleum or petroleum products
are changed.
Renewable resource – a natural resource that can be made or regrown as fast as it
is being used. Some examples are wind power or solar energy, which are both used
to make electricity.
Single-use plastic – items that are used only once before they are thrown away or
recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda
bottles and most food packaging. Additionally, there are a limited number of items
that recycled plastic can be used for.
Supply chain – the sequence of processes involved in the production and
distribution of a commodity.
Waste – any discarded material, such as household or municipal garbage, trash or
refuse, food wastes, or yard wastes, that no longer has value in its present form but
may or may not be recyclable or otherwise able to be repurposed.
Zero waste – the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production,
consumption, reuse, and recovery of materials without incineration or landfilling.
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THE STORY OF PLASTIC
LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION

Get to know your local government by finding information for the grid
below. Although you may find the answers on the internet we
encourage you to call or write local stakeholders while conducting your
research.

NAME OF YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT LOCATION (region, state, province)

IS YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN A….

SHIRE CITY COUNTY BOROUGH TOWN

CHIEF OFFICIALS RESPONSIBILITIES COUNCIL MEMBERS

GOVERNMENT SERVICES PROVIDED

INFORMATION ABOUT DISTRICTS & DEMOGRAPHICS

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