Years after being banned by several countries, the debate on the use of plastics rages on. Different schools of thought have emerged on whether there should be a total ban or some aspects of the use of plastics should be retained.
Environmental discussions often center on the pressing need to reduce pollution, particularly in the form of plastics. Plastic waste is typically seen as one of the biggest threats to our planet.
But Chris De Armitt’s book, The Plastics Paradox challenges much of the conventional thinking about plastics and urges us to rethink how we perceive the material.
His message is not to downplay the environmental concerns but rather to equip us with facts and a balanced perspective of how plastics fit into the broader environmental picture.
The Plastics Paradox emphasises that plastics, when used responsibly, can actually offer more benefits than harm to the environment. Public discourse on plastics is often driven by misinformation and misconceptions.
For instance, many people believe that materials like paper, glass, or metal are automatically better for the environment.
Yet these materials often have a higher carbon footprint and consume more resources in production. And while plastics are demonised, they might be more environment-friendly than the alternatives.
Take, for example, the case of plastic packaging. It is lightweight, durable, and cost-effective. Alternatives like glass or aluminum require significantly more energy to produce and transport. Plastic packaging reduces the weight of goods, lowering transportation emissions and energy use across the supply chain.
As De Armitt observes, that the problem isn't plastic itself, but how society handles plastic waste. Mismanagement, particularly in developing nations, leads to plastic pollution in rivers and oceans.
Therefore, the solution isn’t eliminating plastics altogether but improving global waste management systems, increasing recycling efforts, and fostering a more responsible use of plastic products.
Innovations in recycling, such as turning waste plastic into fuel or creating biodegradable plastics, offer promising solutions that allow society to enjoy the benefits of plastic without the associated harms.
The writer is a business sustainability expert. Email: [email protected]
