Plastics Without Borders: Inside Us

<p>This week’s bonus episode comes from South by Southwest London, where Earth Set and the Blue Earth Summit hosted a live discussion exploring one of the most overlooked dimensions of the plastics crisis: human health.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Guest names:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-sutherland-33485b10/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sian Sutherland</a> - Host, Founder of A Plastic Planet</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/saabira/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saabira Chaudhuri</a> - Author of Consumed</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-harnett/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Laura Harnett</a> - Founder, Seep</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirafshar/" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amir Afshar</a> - Founder, Shellworks</p><p>Professor Richard Lea - University of Nottingham </p><p><br /></p><p>The conversation moves beyond familiar debates about litter, recycling and ocean pollution to examine what happens when plastic becomes part of our bodies. From declining fertility and endocrine-disrupting chemicals to the history of single-use plastics and the challenge of building viable alternatives, the discussion brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, campaigners and journalists to ask a difficult question: if the evidence around plastic’s health impacts continues to grow, what will it take for business, policymakers and consumers to respond?</p><p>Along the way, the panel explores how plastics became embedded in modern life, why recycling is not the answer to solving the crisis, and whether a new generation of materials and business models can reduce our dependence on fossil-fuel-based plastics without creating new problems of their own.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>In This Episode You'll Learn:</strong></p><p>• How endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems and reproductive health</p><p>• Why scientists are increasingly concerned about declining fertility rates, falling sperm counts and rising reproductive disorders</p><p>• How exposure to certain chemicals during pregnancy may affect health outcomes later in life</p><p>• The surprising history of how plastics transformed consumer behaviour, packaging and modern convenience</p><p>• Why plastic production continues to grow despite decades of recycling campaigns and public awareness efforts</p><p>• What critics argue is wrong with today’s recycling system — and why many believe reduction and reuse must play a larger role</p><p>• How entrepreneurs are developing alternative materials designed to replicate the benefits of plastic without creating persistent waste</p><p>• Why regulation, economics and consumer expectations remain major barriers to scaling plastic-free solutions</p><p>• Whether human health concerns could become the catalyst that finally accelerates action on plastic pollution and chemical safety</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>🎟️ Join Earth Set Live</strong></p><p>We host monthly live events in London featuring founders, investors and policy leaders shaping the transition to a resilient, regenerative economy.</p><p>First Tuesday of every month.</p><p>Grab tickets here: 👉<a href="https://earthset.co" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ⁠earthset.co⁠⁠</a></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>If you enjoyed this episode</strong></p><p>Please take a moment to:</p><p>• Leave 5 stars</p><p>• Write a quick review</p><p>• Share the episode with someone interested in climate technology, innovation or industrial strategy</p><p>It helps more people discover the show.</p><p>Thanks for listening — see you at the next live event or in your feed soon.</p>