Nine Disinformation Tactics Used by the Plastics Industry
The plastics crisis is often believed to be a waste management problem exacerbated by irresponsible consumers. This false perception is the result of a campaign of disinformation from the plastics industry. The real problem – excessive plastic production – has been deliberately obscured by corporate interests that make profit from plastic.
Dark PR: How Corporate Disinformation Undermines Our Health and the Environment by Grant Ennis presents 9 recurring frames as a way to understand disinformation tactics across corporate industries. In a 2026 report, the Center for International Environmental Law applied these frames to the plastics industry to show how they plot against the public.
Denialism – Initially, environmental issues surrounding plastics may be denied or minimised, despite scientific research showing otherwise.
Post-denialism – As the evidence builds up about the harms of plastics, it may be argued that plastics are still good overall. For example, plastics preserve foods or save lives in hospitals.
Normalisation – The industry may claim that plastics are an unavoidable part of life, even though plastic is a relatively recent invention and is often used unnecessarily, e.g. single-use packaging.
Silver boomerang – Vested interests may promote false solutions that do very little or even worsen the problem. For example, plastic producers and the fossil fuel industry have long known that recycling will not stop plastic pollution.
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Magic – Technology is often suggested as a magical solution. For example, bioplastics are promoted even though bioplastics are limited in scope and have sustainability issues.
Treatment Trap – The industry may advocate for improving recycling and waste-to-energy (incineration) facilities or advertise their involvement in plastic clean-up projects. However, these ‘treatments’ exist to deliberately obscure the root cause of the problem: escalating plastic production.
Victim Blaming – Corporations blame consumers for the plastic problem. The Keep America Beautiful Campaign, supported by plastic giants like Coca-Cola, deliberately promotes individual responsibility for litter.
Knotted Web – The ongoing Global Plastics Treaty negotiations are repeatedly stalled by claims that the plastic problem is a ‘complex’ web of issues. This intentionally moves the focus away from industries’ role in producing plastic.
Multifactorialism – Vested interests present the plastic problem as multifactorial. For example, The Alliance to End Plastic Waste, led by industry, presents a whole range of solutions. Yet again, the root problem – excessive plastic production – is conveniently ignored.
Disinformation confuses the public about the real environmental issues, preventing action. It is vital to spread awareness of these tactics; once you know them, it’s easy to spot.
We need to hold corporations to account and act to reduce plastic production.
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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk
Images:
manufacturing plant blue sky - Photo by Pixabay (ST ref: 1356)
man and girl with globe covered eyes - Image by ArtHouse Studio (ST ref: 1323)
ID: 240510-B
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