A century into our love affair with plastic, the romance is starting to fray. Plastics draw on dwindling fossil fuels, leach harmful chemicals, litter landscapes, and destroy marine life. We’re trapped in an unhealthy dependence—a toxic relationship. Join Freinkel as she treks through the history, science, and global economy to assess the real impact of plastic on our lives. Ms. Freinkel’s work appears in: The New York Times; Discover; Smithsonian; Reader’s Digest; OnEarth; Health; and Real Simple. In 2005, she was awarded an Alicia Patterson Fellowship, and in 2008 a National Outdoor Book Award. This event is FREE but space is limited; pre-registration is recommended. To reserve your seat, click on the "Register for Event" button. This talk is the first in a seminar series presented by the Burke Museum and the UW Program on the Environment called “Plastics Unwrapped: The Good, the Bad, the Debate.” From April 3 – May 22, 2013, the seminar will continue with lectures and panel discussions each Wednesday at the Burke Museum at 6 pm, covering such topics as the benefits of plastics, the challenges of recycling and reuse, the effect of plastic waste on marine life, and the international debate on electronic plastics. Check the Plastics Unwrapped events page for updates. Come to one talk, or come to all; all lectures are open to the public! This event is FREE but space is limited; pre-registration is recommended. To reserve your seat, visit the website.