The five chapters in Part One of the book lay out the basics of plastics, from sociology through structure and degradation. Chapter 4 is devoted to the chemical nature of plastics and the more-detailed chemistry is set off in boxes. Faculty, advanced university students, and industrial chemists may skim over these chapters, although they do provide a good background for the non-chemist.

Part Two is devoted to bioplastics, which Stevens defines as “biodegradable plastics whose components are derived entirely or almost entirely from renewable raw materials.” Chapter 6 is devoted to polymers that occur in nature: these include polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch, and chitin; proteins; and bacterially-produced polyesters. Chapter 7, “The Reemergence of Bioplastics”, is worth the price of the book. It contains a fascinating section on early bioplastics that is enhanced with photos of bioplastic objects, from horn spoons to celluloid knick-knacks, to Henry Ford's 1941 “soybean plastic” automobile. Teachers at all levels and historians of science and technology will find much of interest in this section. The remainder of Chapter 7 covers new bioplastics, which Stevens groups into three types: those made from ready-made polymers in nature, such as starch; plastics processed from polymers produced by microbial fermentation; and plastics processed from resins polymerized from naturally occurring monomers such as lactic acid.

Chapters 8 and 9 address the factors that will impact the growth of a bioplastics industry, including cost, degradability, and performance of the products and raw materials, as well as environmental concerns and legislation around the world. Stevens concludes with a call for a paradigm shift in our attitudes toward plastics. While we have become familiar and comfortable with a variety of plastics that are long-lasting, colorful, and cheap, perhaps it is in the best interest of our planet to consider a “cradle-to-cradle” sustainable green technology for our plastics. Stevens' theme echoes that of Kermit the Frog, “It's not easy being green”, but perhaps we should consider it.

The 20-page Appendix, “Make Your Own”, is an excellent resource for teachers. It contains detailed directions for preparing numerous and interesting cast-film bioplastics, including a bioglass picture frame, laminate card-covers, and a degradable, homemade root-ball wrap for a tree. Instructions are provided for physical tests, some of which can be performed with simple equipment. Ideas for science projects are suggested as well. Both students and teachers will appreciate the thorough Glossary of terms. A Reading List is also provided, with print resources from 1991–2000. Student readers may find this book to be less flashy and more old-fashioned than the textbooks and multimedia with which they may be more familiar. The photos are in black and white, and the figures are relatively simple. No Internet references are given in the bibliography.

That said, Green Chemistry is a thought-provoking book that should find a variety of applications in classrooms, from high schools to science museums to universities. By reading this book, both the chemist and the environmentalist should be challenged to develop and champion bioplastics.