Shattering the Plastics Illusion

Chris’s “Shattering The Plastics Illusion – Exposing Environmental Myths” is a compelling and meticulously researched book that debunks common myths about plastics. Drawing from over 5000 peer-reviewed studies, Chris presents a fact-based narrative that is both accessible and enlightening. His dedication to scientific accuracy and independence makes this book an essential read for anyone interested in the environmental impact of plastics.

Joshua Otaigbe – Emeritus Professor USM & Principal Partner, Flaney Associates LLC, Hattiesburg USA

Dr. DeArmitt has long been a respected voice in the plastics industry, and as a young engineering professor I eagerly studied his work on plastics failure analysis. His ability to integrate environmental factors, human influence, and other variables with a deep understanding of polymer science to identify the causes of plastic failures earned my profound respect.

Chris continues this approach, applying a strong, unbiased grasp of polymer fundamentals to debunk the unfounded claims that distort the public’s perception of plastics. Well-referenced and accessible, his new book ‘Shattering The Plastics Illusion – Exposing Environmental Myths’ once again levels the playing field as we confront the future of plastics in our modern world. This book should be in the hands of plastics industry professionals, concerned citizens and academics alike!

Alicyn M. Rhoades PhD – Professor Engineering, Vice Chancellor & Associate Dean, Penn State Behrend, USA

It remains baffling that governments, businesses, and consumers have demonised the plastic industry without challenging and seeking facts from both sides. Sustainability is far more holistic and goes beyond a single material tirade, and right now, we need to be more material resilient rather than less.

My client message has never altered: ‘the right material for the right product in the right process’. All materials have a footprint, and no one material will win out in all instances, but validating with LCA offers the most pragmatic, sustainable path. Polymers and plastics can be included in that path. When validated data is available, it can provide the reasons for decision-making.

Chris DeArmitt has stood, often alone, above the parapet to encourage us to judge by factual evidence and make our own decisions with clarity. Whatever your current viewpoint, reading this book will improve your understanding of the rationale behind plastic’s place on our planet.

Neil Shackelton – FIMMM APkgPrf, Life Cycle Analysis Expert & Founder of Medoola

I acquired a copy of ‘The Plastics Paradox’ shortly after it became available, and have shared the PDF with many students and colleagues since then. About a year ago, I casually suggested to Chris that it might be an opportune time for an updated edition. ‘Shattering the Plastics Illusion’ is far beyond an update, with detailed discussions that address both a cacophony of criticism of plastics along with the benefits of this important class of materials.  The book is loaded with references for those who wish to dig into original literature spanning many decades. Importantly, the book succeeds well in being simultaneously educational, informative, and timely.

Gary E. Wnek – Professor & Chair Macromolecular Science & Engineering

Case Western Reserve University, Ohio USA

Putting things in perspective and correcting common misconceptions is a difficult task – whether it’s about history, health or, as in the present case, materials. Chris DeArmitt does this with his edition of “Shattering the Plastics Illusion” in an excellent way.

Polymers are not without problems and issues, but neither are steel, paper or glass – all need energy to produce, cause pollution in production and processing, and need to be handled well to be recyclable. The legend of ‘bad plastics’ is largely based on lack of information and absurd exaggeration, and the book documents this based on extensive scientific material.

Dr. Markus Gahleitner – Senior Group Expert PP – Borealis

I want to thank Chris for making essential knowledge and valuable insight available for everyone through his book “Shattering the Plastics Illusion – Exposing Environmental Myths”. This book will trigger discussions, I sincerely hope it will also bring us to a common understanding and sensible actions to solving plastics paradox. Like all materials and everything we do, plastics have an impact. So do you.

As you have opened this book, you have made a choice. Most likely that choice is to read it. You have made a good decision.

While reading the book, I hope you share the vision of Chris DeArmitt to create a better future based on truth and wisdom.

By reading the book, you will discover that the truth is already available from a significant and solid fact base, supported by credible science.

Completing the book, you will be made aware of the net effect of the choices and actions you make.

If you also agree to checking the facts before you act, you have made another good decision.
This decision will make an impact and bring all of us further to a better future.

If you share your new knowledge, the impact will be even greater and progress to a better future will accelerate.

Thor Kamfjord – Director Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Norner AS Norway

Very welcome this new book by Chris DeArmitt! Living in the Netherlands, we are frequently warned about the dangers of micro- and nanoplastics. The Plastic Soup Foundation, based in Amsterdam and led by Maria Westerbos, emphasizes that we need to shut off the plastic tap, as plastic poses a significant threat to humanity. Recently, I watched a program on Dutch television (RADAR) that cautioned men about the risks of drinking water from plastic bottles, claiming it could lead to a deformed urethra.I do hope that this book will be read by politicians and policy makers and I invite Chris to give a lecture in my country to counterbalance fake news about plastics.

Pieter Lemstra (PLEM), Professor Emeritus TU-Eindhoven, Founder of the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI) and now at Jiangnan University (PRC)

Shattering the Plastics Illusion is endorsed by the Plastics Research Council nonprofit of international professors & scientists who work unpaid to share solid evidence, so that we can all make wise choices for a better future.

In a world of “experts” losing trust because of their self-interested biases, whether ideological or financial, the intersection of public policy and science desperately needs truly independent research and analysis. Chris DeArmitt (himself a PhD chemist) provides exactly that when discussing the surprisingly controversial topic of plastics.

Plastics, like carbon dioxide, “global warming”, fluoride, peanut butter, and so many other things these days are often decried as not just risky but existentially dangerous. That is, of course, because there are no clicks to be had, no grants to be gathered and no donations to be grifted by saying, “This isn’t going to kill you. Everything’s just fine.” Saying such things requires persistence, courage, and even a willingness to be ostracized by those “scientists” whose cushy, albeit mendacious, existence is threatened by the truth. Those, like Dr DeArmitt, who have such courage should be lauded and promoted.

Chris DeArmitt discusses plastics from the perspective of a clear-eyed scientist, from biodegradation, to (now fashionable fear of) microplastics in the ocean and in human bodies, to comparing plastic PEX home water pipes to copper, to ways to manage plastic waste, DeArmitt’s approach is simultaneously analytical yet enjoyable, data-driven yet conversational. “Shattering the Plastics Illusion” is exactly what the public policy discussion around plastics needs so that politicians, regulators, and citizens work from a basis of truth rather than being misled by activists.

Ross Kaminski – The Ross Kaminski Show, iHeart Radio KOA 850 AM 94.1 FM Denver

Dr. Chris DeArmitt’s Shattering the Plastics Illusion – Exposing Environmental Myths is a bold and much-needed voice in the global conversation about sustainability. The book is based on concrete scientific studies and facts, which helps the author to clarify the numerous myths concerning plastics and provide the readers with the real solutions that are based on the facts instead of fears.

Dr. DeArmitt shows how plastics help solve problems of waste, emissions, and quality of life, while inviting us to change our thinking. This book is a must-read for policy makers, business leaders and anyone who wants to create a sustainable future, not just based on opinions but on facts.

A powerful and enlightening guide that I wholeheartedly recommend.

Carlo Bergamaschi – Executive Director – Valgroup

They say the second movie in a series never surpasses the first. Well, that might be true for some films, but it certainly doesn’t apply to the second edition of Chris’s book. As I turned the first pages, I could almost hear Chris’s voice, with its blend of English, Swedish, and American accents, passionately expressing his message. What makes the content of this book so powerful is the love and dedication of someone who seeks the truth based on facts, driven by a strong purpose to debunk the false narratives echoed across media and social networks.

Chris is not only committed to his two daughters but also to creating a legacy that inspires over 8 billion people to care for this planet responsibly. As he often points out, a plastic bottle doesn’t end up in the ocean on its own, just as no one would leave a plastic banknote lying on the beach. It’s our shared responsibility to recycle and recognize that, among all packaging options, plastic—if properly recycled—would become the only sustainable powerhouse in packaging for the planet.

If everyone understood the value behind a plastic bottle—from its production, transformation, and distribution to its collection, recycling, and remanufacturing—and the impact it generates in terms of jobs and the economy, they would never leave it on the ground, just as they wouldn’t leave a banknote behind. This book is an invitation to understand and appreciate this journey. Read it, share it, and be part of this movement of truth and saving our planet!

Evandro Pereira – Managing Director, South America – Plastipak

Dr. DeArmitt covers a wide range of complex topics on plastics and effortlessly addresses each one with facts and scientific studies.  This monumental but succinct book is accessible even to the lay person.  Part of its brilliance is its simplicity. DeArmitt calls on the mainstream media to report the truth about plastics and investigate the false claims made by environmental activists that have no interest in saving the planet but instead seek to sow fear and line their pockets.

I highly recommend this book if you want to understand one of the most critical debates taking place today.  Banning plastics would be very harmful to the world in so many ways – it would significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, quadruple waste, make healthcare unsafe, undermine our water and sewer infrastructure, and otherwise impact our way of life incalculably. DeArmitt shows that when the data is honestly examined, the case against plastics is unjustifiable.

Bruce Hollands – President & CEO – Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association