Plastic is in our oceans, our food, our homes — and increasingly, our bodies.

Australian environmental advocate and Plastic Country filmmaker Kal Glanznig set out to investigate Australia's plastic crisis, from polluted coastlines and wildlife to fossil fuels and government policy. Then the investigation became personal: Kal tested his own body and discovered high levels of phthalates.

In this episode of Confessions of a Mermaid, we unpack what plastic is actually made of, the thousands of chemicals used to make plastics, microplastics and human health, and why Kal says plastic has become the fossil fuel industry's "Plan B."

We also ask a bigger question: after decades of recycling, reusable bags and individual plastic-free swaps, why is plastic production still growing?

We talk about:

• What Kal found when he tested his body for plastic chemicals

• Phthalates, microplastics and plastic additives

• The "spaghetti bolognese" analogy that explains how chemicals can leach from plastic

• Why "BPA-free" doesn't necessarily mean problem solved

• Why recycling alone won't solve the plastic crisis

• Why plastic is becoming fossil fuel's "Plan B"

• Australia's voluntary packaging targets and producer responsibility

• The baby sea turtle that passed plastic for eight days

• The Global Plastics Treaty

• Individual action vs. systemic change

• Why contacting your elected representatives actually matters

• "Stubborn optimism" and why hope lies in action

Kal's ultimate vision? To make himself redundant — to help build a world where we no longer need activists fighting this hard to keep plastic out of our oceans, wildlife and bodies.

Plastic Country is available to watch free online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU5e90uGo5A

Less doom. More truth. More solutions. More beautiful world.