Single-use plastic packaging is so common in our everyday lives that a future without it might seem a long way off. But examples of what that future might look like are already here.
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.
Container deposit laws fund recycling programs at the point of purchase – a surprisingly powerful idea about to have its moment.
Plastic waste sits in landfills, cities, and forests. It breaks down into microplastics that fill the ocean, accumulate in wildlife, and cause health problems in humans. If we can implement some key policies, we can reshape our single-use economy into a circular one; reduce waste, protect the environment, and live healthier lives.
