First Friday: Our Plastic Planet

Have you ever wondered how plastic became a problem? Are there viable solutions to reducing plastic waste? Stop by our April First Friday event to learn the answers to these vital questions.

Guests will be introduced to a few of the first synthetic materials produced and see how these plastics compare to their natural counterparts. We will also be discussing how and why plastic waste became a concern, and the ways in which plastics are affecting our environment.

The library will be showing off some of the earliest dye sample books on synthetic materials in our collections as well as materials on plastic waste management. Swing by the book display to get a closer look and learn how you can access the collections in the Othmer Library!

Additionally on view in our museum is our latest ExhibitLab display, Objects That Tell Stories: Recent Acquisitions, which includes plastic artifacts that contribute to ongoing dialogue about the life of synthetic materials.

We’ll also be joined by representatives from the local organization ECHO Systems, whose mission is to stop trash where it starts and break the plastic cycle. Stop by to learn about their newly developed Philly Unwrapped Toolkit, a practical guide to help restaurants, cafes, and other businesses reduce single-use packaging, cut costs, and build stronger community trust.

Othmer Library Tours

Did you know? We are giving public tours of our research library every First Friday! Come by at 5:15pm to get a behind-the-scenes look upstairs at the resources and archives available to all scientifically curious minds. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Learn more here.

About First Fridays

Spark your curiosity while exploring the exhibits after hours! First Fridays bring together a myriad of activities covering everyday science, historical oddities, and everything in between. Grab your friends, and kick off an evening of discovery, surprise, and a little nerdy fun.

First Fridays at the Institute are always free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a 10% discount to National Mechanics restaurant.

Featured image: All Wrapped Up in Ethocel, Dow Chemical Company advertisement for ethylcellulose plastic, 1938.