Over the course of the last month, during our #ResponsiblePlasticJuly campaign, we’ve been talking about plastic and the critical role it plays in our daily lives. We’ve explored the characteristics of plastics that make them so useful and versatile. We’ve dived into more of the nuance that helps us to understand the scenarios where plastic can be the best available option (for example, when considering issues such as weight (for transport, logistcs and reduced emissions), resource use, hygiene and more).
In a healthy circular economy, well designed plastics play a critical role in improving our lives and creating jobs whilst remaining out of the environment
Nevertheless, it is still apparent that we have a plastic problem. Far too much of this valuable material ends up outside of our economy and in the environment. There are elements of our economy that require redesigning to ensure we retain plastics for many lifetimes in the economy, thereby supporting a number of jobs and livelihoods whilst simultaneously keeping our natural environment free of plastic.
Consumers and businesses alike have a role to play. Part of this includes eradicating the production and use of “problematic and unnecessary”” plastic.
Last week we unpacked what we mean by “problematic plastic”. But what do we mean when we refer to unnecessary plastic?
Unnecessary plastic items are those Items that can be avoided (or replaced by a reuse model) while maintaining utility. They have limited social utility, for which no alternative is required and which can be phased out without significant behavioural or infrastructural change.
Earbuds with plastic stems are an example of a problematic plastic item. They are problematic because the plastic they contain is unlikely to be collected and recycled and because they are small, they are prone to ending up in the environment.
They are unnecessary because they are designed for single use, and there are perfectly suitable alternatives that don’t contain plastic (for example, paper stemmed earbuds). A number of the SA Plastics Pact retailer members, including Woolwoths, Clicks and Pick n Pay all sell paper-stemmed alternatives.
So, what can you do?
Even though our plastic problem feels enormous, our actions can and do matter and small steps DO SHIFT SYSTEMS.
You can ffamiliarise youself with some of the unnecessary plastic items for phasing out in South Africa by watching the animation below:
Here are some steps that consumers can take:
- Reduce your consumption;
- Make use of reusable items, like coffee cups, tupperware, refill bottles etc;
- Choose products with recyclable packaging;
- Refuse unnecessary and problematic plastics
This post is the final part of the SA Plastics Pacts #ResponsiblePlasticJuly campaign. To read the other parts of this campaign, click on the links below:
