Single-Use Plastics: A Ban Worth Considering?
Single-Use Plastics: A Ban Worth Considering?
Waste management infrastructure, oceans, and at-risk populations all feel the effects of plastic pollution. Plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and takeout clamshells are frequently the targets of these prohibitions, but they are spreading rapidly across the country and the world. (Some cities are even considering outlawing single-use plastics altogether; India, in particular, plans to take this step by 2022.) Malibu, Berkeley, Seattle, and Miami Beach are just a few of the American communities that have banned single-use plastic straws. Paper bag fees, ideally in conjunction with plastic bag bans, are also gaining popularity. It has been demonstrated that California’s 2014 bag ban has decreased coastal pollution and plastic bag use by 85% (with some consumers choosing to spend an additional 10 cents for thicker plastic bags). The ones that will go into effect in 2020 were just passed by New York State and Hawaii.
Why are bans put in place? They are responsible for keeping millions of tons of plastic out of landfills every year. Every metric ton matters when dealing with everlasting garbage. New Yorkers consume 23 billion plastic bags annually. Reducing the demand for plastic production that contributes to global warming is one of the many benefits of eliminating single-use plastics. However, the bans also have cultural repercussions. Businesses are being pushed to become more innovative by consumers’ demands for eco-friendly products. They also contribute to a change in consumer attitudes by raising awareness of the unsustainable nature of excessive and unnecessary waste.
Big Business and Disposable Plastics
The environmental impact of large-scale manufacturers of single-use plastics can be significant. As part of their Break Free From Plastic campaign, Greenpeace volunteers combed through tens of thousands of pieces of plastic debris washed up on the shores of 42 different nations. They found that goods made by Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestlé were the most commonly available. Coca-Cola claims it uses enough plastic to fill 200,000 bottles every minute, or three million tons of plastic packaging annually. Bottle bill laws are one strategy to enhance corporate accountability for trash while also giving a monetary incentive to recycle, as they often oblige shops to place a cost on individual bottles, which may then be partially redeemed by customers when they recycle. After years of public outcry and the moniker “Garbage Island,” businesses in Taiwan are now responsible for their own garbage management or provide financial support to the government-run system. The island currently has recycling rates above 50%, thanks largely to this plan, which includes high social accountability and musical garbage trucks.
Some businesses are branching out independently. McDonald’s restaurants in the United Kingdom and Ireland have switched from plastic to paper straws. Single-use plastic straws and stirrers will no longer be available at any Disney park or resort. In addition, Starbucks is transitioning from plastic to paper straws despite using one billion plastic straws annually. Change has been demanded, and consumer preferences are altering, so these measures have been taken.
Get Rid of Disposable Plastics
The changes in the group dynamic that result from people’s decisions mount rapidly. Buying a reusable water bottle instead of disposable ones can save thousands of disposable bottles from being thrown away yearly. Additional suggestions are included below for permanently eliminating single-use plastics from your home and neighborhood.
- Don’t go to the store without a reusable bag. (And yes, despite what the media has been saying recently, reusable bags are better for the environment than plastic bags.)
- Reduce your reliance on disposable plastic food containers by cooking at home more often.
- In other words, stock up. Don’t buy things in single-serving packages, like snack packs.
- Even though there are ways to reduce the environmental impact of online shopping (such as not selecting express delivery), most online orders still come in plenty of plastic packaging. What is the most effective way to lessen your carbon footprint and garbage output? If you can, get there on foot, by bike, or by public transportation.
- Leftovers should be stored in reusable containers rather than plastic wraps. Instead of plastic wrap, try beeswax wrap, which can be reused and decomposed.
- Consider investing in a metal or bamboo straw to avoid throwing away money. When you bring this along with reusable silverware (such as wood, bamboo, or metal chopsticks), sustainable on-the-go eating is possible.
- Consult with the proprietors of the eateries you want to frequent. Inquire if they offer straws, stirrers, or bags made of materials other than plastic.
- Contact your representative, write an opinion piece for the local paper, or even talk to your neighbors to spread the word about plastic bag bans in your area.
- Tell the manufacturers of your preferred brands that you notice their packaging. You can contact these businesses via social media or traditional mail to request that they begin using packaging that is more robust, recyclable, biodegradable, renewable, and/or recycled.
