Life without plastic is almost unimaginable. It’s become central to the way we live our lives – from everyday items like food packaging and water bottles, to sophisticated high end products. But how many of us know what happens to that plastic when we throw it away? “We quantified and estimated that 8 million metric tonnes of plastic entered the ocean (in one year).” Environmental Engineer

Scientists say vast amounts of our discarded plastic is ending up in the ocean. “There’s so much plastic going in and we have no idea where it is.” Oceanographer

Working out where that plastic ends up and what impact it has on our oceans has become a major concern for many marine scientists. “Submarine pilots know when they are at the bottom of the sea because they see the plastic.” Environmental Scientist

Four Corners brings you this thought provoking story from French filmmaker Vincent Perazio in which he examines the work of these scientists investigating our plastic waste. Some are undertaking research to see if plastic is making its way into the food chain, others are looking into the impact on marine life and the environment.