Reducing the amount of plastic we dump into our environment demands a radical rethink of the way we package our stuff. But a growing number of entrepreneurs are asking an even more fundamental question: Instead of rethinking the packaging, why not rethink the product itself?
Washington, D.C., is one of several cities and states that have banned some packaging made of polystyrene (otherwise known as Styrofoam) in recent years. The ban has led to less foam trash turning up in local waterways.
California has been a flagship state for bans of plastic bags, first at the local level, followed by the adoption of the nation's first statewide plastic bag ban in 2014. The bans have been effective at keeping plastic bags out of rivers and off of beaches, and have made recycling more efficient.
When dealing with tiny plastic trash, small pieces of legislation can add up to make a big difference.
One of the most widely shared images from the inauguration was of Sen. Bernie Sanders huddled in his chair, trying to stay warm in his beige parka and wool mittens. Soon we learned those mittens were lined with fleece made from recycled plastic. I’m all for finding more uses for discarded plastic. Reducing the amount of plastic we throw away is going to require a variety of approaches, including finding more ways to recycle plastic. However, while recycling is an important part of the solution, it isn’t the entire solution.
The world already has more plastic than it needs, wants or can handle. And the world is starting to push back.
