How to Stop Plastic Pollution Forever

Did you know that humans have produced more than 8.3 billion tons of plastic in the last 70 years (1) and 91% of which have not been recycled? (2)

This means that almost all of the plastics ever produced are in a landfill, have been incinerated, or somewhere else in our environment causing destructive impacts to the Earth’s ecosystem.

The fossil fuel industry plans to increase plastic production by over 40% in the next decade (3) which means more plastic the world has ever seen.

If your bathtub was overflowing, you wouldn’t immediately reach for a mop -- you’d first turn off the tap. That’s what we need to do with single-use plastics. This is how we stop plastic pollution forever.

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[Theonlybluepen]

"If your bathtub was over flowing, you wouldn't immediately mop it up, you would first turn off the tap" I saw this quote on Instagram in regards to plastic pollution and it's one of my new favorites:)

[chineseinternational]

This is a good video. All over the world, groups are suggesting that people give up buying things in plastic for a month. I gave up plastic for a month and ended up asking the managers in the stores I regularly shop in (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's) how they could support me. I ended up with supplements in liquids in glass, using the cardboard containers for deli goods, buying only things in cardboard boxes instead of plastic. I had to switch brands and give up some things. At the farmer's market, I put vegetables like lettuce and fruit in reusable net bags and then in my cloth bag. I've changed the way I do things but they won't let me bring my own containers into the stores to get food. I would prefer to buy in bulk and use my own containers. Maybe that will happen. It did here a number of years ago but the owner couldn't make enough money to support the shop. We have to change the way we do things.

[brendadoan]

It may be less cost efficient, but maybe we need to go back to glass & aluminum.

[MoonstoneMary]

And even worse, the plastic industry is dependent on oil. We have to find smart solutions that don't start with tearing up our earth.

[sehamzahra]

I remember when plastic bags were rare enough that my grandmother regularly washed them out, hung them on the clothes line to dry, and re-used them the next day. The plastic was thicker then, so you could re-use it. We were also quite used to most things being packaged in paper. Paper wrappers would work well enough in place of the thin unrecyclable plastic wrappers used on snacks etc. Why not go back to paper? (And not plasticized paper, just paper).

[thomasgeorge]

I lived during the 40s/50s and nothing was packed in plastic. The countryside, streams, rivers, beaches, oceans were completely free of plastic waste, or any waste . There was none. I think the older generation notice plastic waste more than the younger generation because they are born to it.

[madelynroesch]

I would cheerfully buy things like juice and soda in glass containers if someone were selling them

[camelopardalis]

I try to avoid products made by these companies by checking the packaging but way too often I realise at home that what I bought actually *is* a Néstle product but I didn't notice since the brand name I saw is from a daughter company I didn't know had anything to do with Néstle. Also, buying certain kinds of food at a gas station or some other very, very small store without buying anything from Néstle, Procter and Gamble, or Unilever can be literally impossible. And I hate it. As if I'd miss anything if those companies didn't exist anymore and were replaced with (smaller) companies headed by eco geeks.

[AnkurShah]

Awesome video and great footage! One thing is we need a sustainable alternative which is cheaper than plastic. While you mention the companies making most of the plastic, they use it because it is cheaper. I have a video where I state similar facts but until it’s cheaper for companies to use a sustainable alternative like mushroom packaging by Ecovative or hemp based materials, I dont think the massive change can come.

[sfmarckx]

It is interesting that trying to use less plastic also leads me toward a healthier diet with fewer processed foods. What about holding companies accountable for cleaning up and re-using a given amount of plastic or packaging based on a certain percentage of how much plastic or packaging they add to the world with their products. Then that percentage would be raised each year, making it in the companies' best interest to find easily re-useable alternatives for their packaging? Thank you for these great videos and all your work at the Story of Stuff!

[suepitt]

Great video. Totally agree that producers should be responsible for disposing of plastic waste.

[sfdungeon]

I've been seeing more and more compostable (corn starch) straws and "to go" containers here in Minneapolis...a much better way to go for sure...and finally after a year of my bitching, a local Thai restaurant quit putting single use straws in the glass of water
I'm glad California has set up laws to end single use plastic straw waste, and plastic bags. It's time we get other states to follow

[StellarSeen]

Meanwhile... after picking up and sorting the plastic by companies, maybe then tht plastic should be returned to those companies.

[elanakann]

I think a lot of R&D HAS been done, and there are ways to use other materials already. I would like to see the inventors and researchers get together with the plastic activists and show companies using single-use plastics that there are alternatives, and pressure them to use them starting right away.

[annetteahlander]

Honestly, my friends, as inconveniencing as it is for me, I pretty much opt out of plastic packaging altogether. For years I have stopped buying candy bars, snacks, and juices that smack of palm oil and plastic packaging. Challenging, but I prepare most of the food I eat myself, do not eat out more than twice a month, buy ONLY organic produce, and, unless absolutely necessary, use no plastic bags (which I reuse as often as I can) to the point where we are running out of things with which to line the garbage can. That's a good thing! It harkens me back to my youth when plastic packaging was hard to come by and newspaper was the lining of choice. P. S.: Onions, carrots, artichokes, lemons, etc. - NO BAGS . . . and I bring my own cloth bags to the store.

[mob]

This matches everything you do, good or bad.
The thing you do may be small but it makes a huge impact

[kanupriyavyas]

Great video and even greater lesson! These companies have cursed us with this much plastic and they should definitely recycle their products. Love your channel. ♥ I hope we all start introspecting about the pollution we all create. We have got only one planet, let's save it.🌿

[BOEBAH]

Have the packaging itself have an intrinsic value (at a higher cost); to be reused, serve another task, or easily gathered to be recycled for money!
Being worth money; nobody throws away money. Or, someone else will make it his!

[planetwalker]

First, be more mindful of what you’re eating! If you can eliminate or greatly reduce packaging that’s huge.
Second, support local stores who do, or could, offer items in bulk. Bring your own packaging and e the way products are delivered.
Third, grow whatever you can. Local is better and no packaging
Fourth, shop at farmers markets with your OWN packaging, Don’t use the plastic bags that unfortunately many are still offering for produce. Bring your own reused cloth, paper or previous bags
Support local farms and local artisans

[BaishaliDas]

Zero waste stores where people take their own containers to refill will definitely help to reduce plastic waste.