Plastic-Free July puts a focus on the accumulation of plastic, but it’s not just about the plastic itself. A focus on the material starts at the manufacturer and the companies making the choices to use plastic packaging. It moves from the top down to how the companies deal with their waste, what can happen to the packaging, whether or not the plastic can and, more importantly, is recycled, etc. The trickle-down system can include a lot of information to take in. So, here you have a very narrow part to a bigger picture of plastic. Think of it as a horse with blinders on. You (well, the horse in this example) can see straight ahead, and the blinders keep you from seeing the sides and what is behind you. It’s the same with the focus on plastic consumption. Even among those who live a relatively plastic-free, zero-waste life, there is a focus on not buying plastic, but little else about plastic itself. There is also talk about holding companies accountable, but is that really all there is to it?

Short answer to the question above: No. If it were that easy, we could just not make any plastic purchases (medical waste is always an exception) and companies would stop packaging their items in plastic. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. When it comes to plastic, there are practical, necessary applications. In a perfect world, all plastic would be recyclable, and all plastic would be recycled. The plastic that is currently on the planet would be used infinitely.

The issue is with finding a sustainable, comparable alternative. With the allergies that people have, it is difficult to find a material that is hypoallergenic. People have allergies to hemp (like I do), corn, coconut, etc. Another issue is in the degradability of current bioplastics. Some, for example, do not break down in sea water (Haider, Völker, Kramm, Ladfester, & Wurm, 2019). It also raises the question as to whether or not the bioplastics, even if they have broken down, are “good” for the environment.

The demand for plastics, since conception, has continued to increase (Hahladakis, Costas, Weber, Iacovidou, & Purnell, 2017). An increase in production means an increase in material waste and the amount of potential toxins into water, soil, etc. Additives are included in the production to prolong the life of the plastic as well as enhance its polymer properties (Hahladakis et al., 2017). When the plastics are recycled, the recycling process itself can release the additives which can affect the planet and its inhabitants. That’s why, when recycling, it is important to know what protocols are in place to mitigate any harm.

We only have one planet, and it is our duty to do right by it. Humans are the only species to destroy the planet, and the sad part is that most don’t care. While plastics, the chemicals associated with their production, and the byproducts of creating this type of waste are important to know about, so are the other ramifications. For instance, more plants are created for plastic production, that can have their own consequences. Chemical leaks, resource depletion, explosions, etc. have all resulted from problems at plastic production plants (Bennu, 2018).

For now, all we can do is champion for better recycling, global recycling centers, and see what we can do with existing plastics. I have some ideas in the works, but I’m keeping them under wraps until I know the details. This planet is so amazing. Bennu (2018) mentioned that wildlife has used some of the plastic to create homes. But, it is important to remember that plastics have been found in many dead wildlife– including microplastics. We all need to do our part for the sake of our health and the health of everything on this beautiful planet. If you are already living a relatively plastic-free lifestyle, or are just beginning your journey, remember that there is more to plastics than just the omission in your shopping basket.

References & Further Reading

Bennu, D. (2018). Five ways that plastics harm the environment (and one way they may help). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2018/04/23/five-ways-that-plastics-harm-the-environment-and-one-way-they-may-help/#4808f09f67a0

Hahladakis, J. N., Costas, A. V., Weber, R., Iacovidou, E., & Purnell, P.  (2017).  An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.10.014

Haider, T. P., Völker, C., Kramm, J., Ladfester, K., & Wurm, F. R.  (2019).  Plastics of the future?  The impact of biodegradable polymers on the environment and on society.  Angewandte Chemie, 58, 50-62.  doi: 10.1002/anie.201805766