Plastic as a Symbol of Environmental Destruction: Roland Barthes’ Semiotic Analysis in the Film A Plastic Ocean

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-545-4_33How to use a DOI?

Keywords

plastic pollution; ecological; marine life; modernity

Abstract

The documentary film A Plastic Ocean (2016), directed by Craig Leeson, depicts the devastating impact of plastic pollution on the oceans and marine life, and voices the urgency of finding a solution. This study aims to analyze the symbolism of plastic in the film using Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach, which distinguishes three levels of meaning: denotation, connotation, and myth. This approach allows us to explore how the film depicts plastic as an object of pollution as well as a symbol of ecological destruction, human indifference to nature, and excessive consumption. By identifying visual elements that depict plastic pollution, this study reveals how images of plastic function as social and cultural symbols in the context of modernity and consumerism. Through an analysis of literal, symbolic, and ideological meanings, the results of this study show that the film not only documents the problem of plastic pollution but also criticizes the social myths about progress and efficiency brought about by plastic. Thus, this film serves as an educational tool that encourages global behavioral change towards more responsible plastic use. This research makes an important contribution to understanding the role of visual media in conveying critical messages about the environment and plastic pollution.

Copyright

© 2026 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Khairil Umam Ladiku
AU  - Ahmad Ismail
AU  - Hamdan Ladiku
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/03/13
TI  - Plastic as a Symbol of Environmental Destruction: Roland Barthes’ Semiotic Analysis in the Film A Plastic Ocean
BT  - Proceedings of the World Conference on Governance and Social Sciences 2025 (WCGSS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 491
EP  - 505
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-545-4_33
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-545-4_33
ID  - Ladiku2026
ER  -