Explore the Museum
Plastic Water Bottle
Object Type
Single Use Plastic used for water and other beverages
Description
Mass produced disposable plastic bottle used for water. Such bottles were common in the early Anthropocene, but fell out of use in the mid-21st Century. Today, plastic bottles are recycled and 3D printed into new products.
Production Date
c. 1990 - 2050
Materials
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Acquisition History
Donated on 14 August, 2062, by Olivia Compton, age 8. Bottle was found on a beach after a storm.
Dimensions
12 cm wide by 22 cm tall, 710 ml volume
Reason for Extinction
Replaced by reusable bottles and water fountains.
Take-Out Container
Object Type
Single Use Plastic
Description
Take out containers were very popular and provided convenient options for restaurant take out and delivery.
Production Date
c. 1990 - 2050
Materials
Polystyrene
Acquisition History
Unknown
Dimensions
17.8 cm x 15.2 cm x 7.62 cm
Reason for Extinction
Legislation banning the use of these containers forced retailers to explore reusable and compostable alternatives.
Plastic Dog Waste Bag
Object Type
Single Use Plastic
Description
Mass produced disposable plastic bag used to collect dog poop. These bags were common in the early Anthropocene, but fell out of use in the mid-21st century.
Production Date
c. 1990 - 2039
Materials
Low-density polyethylene
Acquisition History
Excavated from archaelogical dig at the former site of the Lethbridge Dog Park
Dimensions
203 mm wide by 279 mm long
Reason for Extinction
Over time, these bags were replaced with alternatives that were compatible with biogas generators in parks.
Potato Chip Bag
Object Type
Single Use Plastic
Description
Many food products were wrapped in plastic that was designed to be thrown away.
Production Date
c. 1990-2027
Materials
Polyethylene over aluminum
Acquisition History
Donated by Kay's Potato Chip Company
Dimensions
213 g
Reason for Extinction
Extended producer responsibility legislation caused many food manufacturers to create new forms of packaging that could be recycled or composted.
Styrofoam Cup
Object Type
Single Use Plastic
Description
A lightweight, cheap form of plastic that is easily molded. Styrofoam cups were used as an alternative when reusable cups weren't available.
Production Date
c. 1990-2025
Materials
Polystyrene
Acquisition History
Recovered from old inventory at a grocery store.
Dimensions
holds 237 ml of liquid
Reason for Extinction
Used as a cheap and easy option at events with large numbers of people, styrofoam fell out of fashion in the early 2000s, leading to its eventual decline.
Microplastics
Object Type
Byproduct of clothing
Description
These microplastics were shed from polyester and other plastic-based clothing. Microplastics are the most common form of plastic pollution.
Production Date
c. 1990-present
Materials
Polyester and other plastics
Acquisition History
Collected from the banks of the Oldman River.
Dimensions
<5 mm
Reason for Extinction
Microplastics are pervasive and will never be fully extinct in the wild. However, upgrades to washing machines have curbed the introduction of new microplastics to the environment.
