8. Plastic Solutions: Conclusion

Ben Addelman and Ziya Tong’s Plastic People exposes the problems presented by plastic production and pollution in the world today. Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope. Some solutions are afloat in this time of crisis.

Rick Smith (Slow Death by Rubber Duck) is confident that society can solve pollution problems. Previous generations were exposed to pollutants that ceased to exist once the health costs became clear. Banning certain chemicals improved population health. But can we do these a second time around?

One of the most important aspects of finding a solution to these problems is education. Knowledge, highlights Chelsea Rochman, is power. Understanding facilitates action and having ended up here one step at a time, she is certain we can “turn back the clock one piece at a time”. But how do we initiate this reversal?

One solution lies in replacing hazardous chemicals and developing safer alternatives to reduce their toxicity. This would be a costly endeavour, but worth it for the health benefits.

When single-use plastics were peddled to consumers under the slogan “the future of plastics is in the trash can”, consumers got excited at the prospect of an easy life. Coming to terms now with the disastrous consequences of plastic consumption, we must look towards the trash can again - but for the concept of plastic as a whole.

Plastic is so tightly woven into our everyday lives that it will be nearly impossible to eradicate. According to Susan Freinkel, we’ve developed a “kind of unhealthy dependence” on plastic. We must reset the terms of this relationship by turning off the tap to “dramatically reduce the amount of plastic being produced.”