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Final answer:The text 'The Plastic Problem' by Jacqueline Pratt-Tuke emphasizes the environmental impact of disposable plastics and encourages individuals to reduce their usage and engage in civic action to address the problem. It highlights the necessity of recycling and small changes that contribute to broader environmental benefits.Explanation:The main idea of the text 'The Plastic Problem' by Jacqueline Pratt-Tuke is to illustrate the severe environmental issues caused by disposable plastics and to inspire individuals to take action to reduce their plastic usage. The speech's purpose is to compel the audience to minimize the use of disposable plastic by presenting how plastic is marketed and suggesting strategies for civic engagement to mitigate plastic's environmental impact.Plastics are ubiquitously used in everyday life, but with significant consequences such as filling up landfills as 40% of plastics are single-use and are thrown away, leading to increasing volumes of plastic waste. Regardless, there is hope in that plastic can be recycled, and doing so can help alleviate some of the issues caused by plastic waste. The text also mentions the work of writers Jay Sinha and Chantal Plamondonto, advocating for small but consistent actions, like forgoing plastic straws or choosing shampoo bars, which can lead to meaningful environmental benefits.Understanding the types of plastic and the importance of recycling are pivotal steps in countering the plastic crisis. Furthermore, local governments are called upon to consider banning certain single-use plastic items to help save the environment. This quest for environmental sustainability in relation to plastic usage is a key part of the text's aim to drive civic action....