© 2026 WEKU
Lexington's Choice for NPR
Support WEKU!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The 1850 campaign is replacing lost federal funds one supporter at a time. Thanks to our listeners and supporters, we are now just 137 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Click here to join the campaign!

Oil and gas companies making hay by making plastic?

NPR | By Kai McNamee,
Emily Kwong
Published May 2, 2026 at 5:47 PM EDT

Author Beth Gardiner talks about her new book, 'Plastic Inc.' and about what she learned about the relationship between oil and gas companies and the plastics industry.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Kai McNamee
[Copyright 2024 NPR]
Emily Kwong
Emily Kwong (she/her) is the reporter for NPR's daily science podcast, Short Wave. The podcast explores new discoveries, everyday mysteries and the science behind the headlines — all in about 10 minutes, Monday through Friday.
See stories by Emily Kwong
Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Contribute now
Related Content
  • Comedian Sheng Wang on finding joy in the mundane
    Daniel Ofman, Emily Feng, Tinbete Ermyas
    In his new Netflix special, comedian Sheng Wang elevates mundane moments - like picking a toothbrush - into punchlines. NPR's Emily Feng talks to the comedian about where he finds joy.
  • An inevitable rise in Chinese-made EVs in America?
    Daniel Ofman, Emily Feng
    Chinese-made EVs that are not currently legally sold in the U.S. are making their way across the border anyway, says Wall Street Journal reporter Ryan Felton, who recently covered a rise in interest in the vehicles.
  • NPR News
    Is there a 'standard' Indian body?
    Omkar Khandekar
    India recently published a survey to 'standardize' the Indian body sizes, so its manufacturers don't have to use the U.S. and E.U. sizes for a billion people. But is there a 'standard' Indian body?
  • NPR News
    Collaboration helps NPR journalists get you the story of the Iran war up close
    Gabriel J. Sánchez, Emily Feng, Adam Raney, Durrie Bouscaren, Kat Lonsdorf
    Three NPR journalists talk about the challenge of producing independent, accurate coverage of the war with Iran.
  • Justice Alito and the Voting Rights Act
    Henry Larson, Emily Feng, Sarah Robbins
    NPR's Emily Feng speaks with historian Peter Canellos about the Supreme Court's recent voting rights decision and Justice Samuel Alito's role in it.