We are going in the wrong direction with plastic production but public awareness and changes we make at home crucially help

An article by David A. Taylor on discovermagazine.com reports on a Pew study that identifies two possible scenarios for the future of plastics.  The current trend is toward more plastics and the corresponding threat of toxins in the environment.  He relates that "the flood of plastic surging into the world’s waters is on track to more than double from 11 million metric tons in 2016 to 29 million metric tons by 2040 — enough to cover every yard of the world’s coastlines in more than 100 pounds of plastic. Current commitments by industry and governments would barely make a dent, promising a mere 7 percent reduction by 2040."*  On the other hand, "Pew researchers forecast tangible benefits if we improve consumer behavior along with recycling and waste disposal, strategies that could contribute to an 80 percent reduction in plastic use. They also suggest advances in manufacturing biodegradable and water-soluble plastics, producing plastic from organics, and disposal using plastic-eating enzymes."*  He also reports on the role of consumers and government in this process: "Consumer advocacy to influence businesses is key to making the transition happen, Baulch says, and can unlock investor money too.
Government action is also crucial in weaning off plastic. For instance, the Break Free From Plastics bill that was first introduced in 2020 and re-introduced in Congress this March would shift recycling responsibility to producers. This would mark a crucial pivot from past consumer-focused initiatives: It sets forth requirements on waste and recycling systems and deems certain industry producers fiscally responsible for collecting, managing and recycling (or composting) their products."*

*David Taylor, May 1, 2021, "We're facing an uncertain plastic future", Discovermagazine.com

Photo credit: Hillary Daniels, Flickr commons

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