Marketplace: Season 53, Episode 1

53 - 1: Plastic Alternatives: Eco-friendly or Eco-fiction?

We all know single-use plastics can be a disaster for the planet—but what if their so-called "sustainable" alternatives aren't so much better? Marketplace cuts through the greenwashing claims to expose the truth behind paper straws, compostable cups, and compostable plastics. We follow the lifecycle of these products to uncover a troubling truth: big companies have simply swapped one throwaway solution for another, all while keeping us hooked on the myth of guilt-free convenience. The cost? A heavier toll on the environment and on your wallet.