Two short video-led resources for 11–18s: NOVA's 'The Plastic Problem' (from Beyond the Elements) explains the chemistry of polymers and why they are hard to recycle, and KQED's 'The Lowdown: How Plastic Took Over the World' is a brief, disposable history with a lesson plan. Both come with discussion questions.
Who made and funded this: PBS LearningMedia, WGBH (NOVA) and KQED; public broadcasting and foundation funded. How to use it: a starter video for our ages 12–14 lesson. Free with account; check embed permissions per item. Link only.