I envision a world where it is the norm globally to live in a plastic free world.
This vision is obstructed by corporations and producers taking advantage of the lack of consumer knowledge surrounding the dangers of plastic consumption. We see constantly that throwing a "recyclable" label on products allows buyers to feel less guilty about their consumption. However, this sense of guilt is necessary in order for there to ever be systemic change.
My vision for the future is for the world to live plastic-less. This involves enforcing strong laws banning various plastic products, educating consumers on how to recognize if the products they are buying can be sustainably disposed of and promoting innovation for plastic alternatives.
It is important that society as a whole values fighting for solutions to our plastic problem!
I agree that the solution to the problem is fully banning plastic! otherwise there is not enough pressure for companies to make changes and the change is too slow
Hi Maria, banning single or non recycled plastics is a must in the future, but I agree with you that this takes a long time, as steps should be take for educating consumers to stop buying, using plastics, managing large corporations stop porducing fake recycled plastics and for government officials to consider the residual effects and dare to judge the program.
Hi Maria! I completely agree and share your vision of living in a world that is plastic free! Your proposed intervention of educating consumers on purchasing products that are made with sustainable materials is a great idea and it would be cool to see it come to life!
Hi Maria Greco, I agree plastic in its current state seems horrible for our environment on a myriad of fronts. The environmental and social dimensions of sustainability intersect to yield bearability. Do you think the banning of single-use plastics could be considered draconian without providing businesses time to adjust to the ban and placing measures to ease the transition?
Hello Maria! I have never thought about it this way but after reading your post I 100% agree with you that the "recyclable" label has downplayed our concerns about single-use plastic usage. I am glad I was required to take an environmental course in high school as that class allowed me and my classmates to actually visit one of our landfills and truly realize the severity of everything. With this, I hope that this urgency can reach others as well and I agree that banning single-use plastics, as well as promoting innovative alternatives, can combat our plastic problem.
The end result of 'recyclable' is still incineration. People are always fooled by the word 'recyclable'. Banning plastics is a very urgent task for us now.
I think that the "recyclable" label has really become a way for corporations to sidestep the issues with plastic waste and instead placate our concerns with waste and plastic pollution. Sadly this isn't enough and we need actual strong laws to take the next step, and as you said it; ban these plastic products.
The knowledge of "recyclable" plastic, especially its destination should be a school lesson.
I agree! So many people are blinded by corporations advertising their products as "recyclable" that they do not know the real ending for theses "recyclable" plastics!