In regards to environmental issues, some initiatives create real change, and others create unintended consequences for the environment. These solutions are just aimed at making us feel better but can actually end up causing more problems. There has been a spear of environmentally focused goals in the materials industry which has demonstrated increased attention on product bans, recycled content usage, and waste management legislation. In consideration of complex systems and stakeholders, the solutions for preventing waste materials from getting into the environment make the common understanding of the subject difficult.
Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) content often specifically targets plastics. Yet, the plastics industry highly supports the use of recycled content as well as the circularity of the economy. Various problems arise when such bills obligate a specific percentage of PCR to be used in products without keeping in mind the available infrastructure for producing recycled material. For instance, the bills that have been proposed in states such as California and New Jersey, for 30% PCR to be used in all thermoform plastic containers by 2030, and 35% PCR in thermoforms and rigid plastic containers by 2022. Nevertheless, these bills have no plans for improving the recycling infrastructure and there isn’t enough PCR to meet many of these directives.
Plastic product and material bans are also suggested more frequently, such as single-use water bottle bans, plastic bag bans, and more. These bans tend to contradict the reasons why such products and materials came to exist in the first place. The plastic bag originally became an alternative to the paper bag in 1965 for its low cost, durability, lightweight, and the goal of saving trees. Similar to most plastic products which are also chosen for these benefits specifically as well as for the material’s malleability and preservation of energy, water, and emissions during production. In comparison to other materials, single-use plastic products are highly preferred in many cases due to their convenience and sanitation benefits.
Hence, banning a product because of its material does not lessen the need for that specific product. Without a doubt, a ban on plastic will result in replacements that do not have the same benefits as plastic and will eventually prove incompetent in both their functionality and environmental footprint. We all share the same goal of keeping our environment clean and creating a circular economy. In order to achieve this, it is important to make sure that only positive legislation is passed and effective measures are taken.
