Trekking through history, science, and the global economy, Freinkel assesses the impact of plastic on our lives through eight familiar plastic objects: comb, chair, Frisbee, IV bag, disposable lighter, grocery bag, soda bottle, and credit card.

Plasticville -- Improving on nature -- A throne for the common man -- Flitting through Plasticville -- "Humans are just a little bit plastic now" -- Matter out of place -- Battle of the bag -- Closing the loop -- The meaning of green -- A bridge.