Can These Companies Solve The Plastic Waste Problem?

Plastics are useful. They're used to help make lifesaving medical supplies, lightweight, fuel-efficient car parts, and insulation for our homes. But nearly half of all plastic produced goes towards single-use items such as bags, straws, utensils and takeout containers. Since the 1950s, humans have produced about 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic. Every year, 8 million metric tons end up in the ocean. Globally, only 9% of plastics are recycled. As the waste piles up, there's a growing demand for alternatives.

There's a number of companies trying to develop cost-efficient and eco-friendly substitutes, from mushroom packaging to advanced fibers and plastic-free online shopping. But it may take serious legislative efforts to incentive adoption and slow the rise of the industry overall.

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Can These Companies Solve The Plastic Waste Problem?

[ngi_]

Plastic is so common that now I can't even imagine how people lived before 1950s without plastic.

[rayititoman]

The amount of plastic sold in products in supermarkets is insane. Definitely, there should be regulations about how they package their products.

[jackshen]

unfortunately, not enough people seem to know and care about this problem.

[adamt]

Recyling and composting needs to be much more dramatically incentivized.

[JonahZX]

We should really be starting a movement for this...

[KGisthename]

Shout-out to Footprint! Thank you guys for taking serious steps towards a better future for our kids.

[ROTDTpodcast]

they been talking about this since the 80s when my school had those weekly reader magazines...

[johnr.seydel]

The “Biodegradable” term means nothing. So don’t let that greenwash you. Look for “compostable or recyclable packaging”

[Drmicky]

stop people in the developed world from buying bottled water would be a good start

[nztrucker]

I hope one day humans will soon realise survival is more important than economy.

[TheRushtime]

Stop producing new plastic! It should be restricted. And manufacturers should be obliged to consume waste resources first at 100%.

[ayizeb]

European Union just announced a 80 cent tax per kg on non-recyclable resin (main ingredient of plastic). The price per kg depending on resin type is around 1.5-2 euro's. So it's quite a lot and incentives companies to choose for reuseables. Pretty big step in the right direction if you ask me.

[lisayist]

I stop buying espresso drinks because coffee shops refuse to refill my cup, which I totally understand. I hope the pandemic is over soon so I can support local business!

[rayminthecat]

I try to recycle everything. I know some of my efforts are in vane but I do it anyway. I remember seeing a company in Africa making fence posts out of plastic bags because the bags are everywhere and wood is scarce. The machine they used ran 24/7. They can't keep up with the demand. That's a pretty good idea I think!

[yoked]

My local recycling facility doesn’t even accept glass 🤦‍♂️

[KabbaModern]

Living in NYC, they take recycling very seriously.

[jacobhotaling]

I mean if we go back to glass and tins for grocery drinks and just return them for factory reuse would be better

[appledinger]

I always bring my own cloth bag while shopping.

[jessstuart]

Solution: Tax oil production and transition to bio-degradable plastics for containers.

[wendypeters]

It seemed like everyone forgot this was important during the pandemic! I like what Mad Money said- can't only depend on the good nature of people.