It's the product not the polymer: Rethinking plastic pollution

Harvey Wood,Mark Taylor,Colin E. Snape,Matthew Johnson,Jennifer Hughes,Rachel L. Gomes,Yuyao Xu,Paul Kay,Jason Weeks,William Meredith,Faith Ka Shun Chan,Thomas Stanton,Harriet G. Orr

doi:10.1002/wat2.1490

Abstract

AbstractMismanaged plastic waste poses a complex threat to the environments that it contaminates, generating considerable concern from academia, industry, politicians, and the general public. This concern has driven global action that presents a unique opportunity for widespread environmental engagement beyond the immediate problem of the persistence of plastic in the environment. But for such an opportunity to be realized, it is vital that the realities of plastic waste are not misrepresented or exaggerated. Hotspots of plastic pollution, which are often international in their source, present complex environmental problems in certain parts of the world. Here we argue, however, that the current discourse on plastic waste overshadows greater threats to the environment and society at a global scale. Antiplastic sentiments have been exploited by politicians and industry, where reducing consumers' plastic footprints are often confused by the seldom‐challenged veil of environmental consumerism, or “greenwashing.” Plastic is integral to much of modern day life, and regularly represents the greener facilitator of society's consumption. We conclude that it is the product, not the polymer that is driving the issue of plastic waste. Contemporary consumption and disposal practices are the root of much of the anthropogenic waste in the environment, plastic, or not. Effective environmental action to minimize plastic in the environment should be motivated by changes in consumption practices, policies, and product design, and should be informed by objective science and legislation.This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Highlights

Plastic is a ubiquitous pollutant (Eriksen et al, 2014; Xanthos & Walker, 2017), and its persistence in the environment, and the potential harm that it may cause to organisms and ecosystems is an emotive modern day reality
Though life cycle assessments (LCAs) and increased circularity can direct plastic reductions and minimize the impact of plastic where reduction is less feasible, LCAs can lack the necessary robustness to account for the diversity of factors considered by decision makers, which span the social, environmental and economic value of products (Iacovidou et al 2017), and improved circularity relies on appropriate waste management infrastructure which is lacking in regions of the world with sophisticated waste management procedures, and absent in those where much of the world's plastic pollution is concentrated and lost to aquatic environments
While there is a clear impact of plastic pollution in certain scenarios, we propose that the mere presence of plastic debris in the environment should not be considered a significant environmental threat

Summary

Introduction

Plastic is a ubiquitous pollutant (Eriksen et al, 2014; Xanthos & Walker, 2017), and its persistence in the environment, and the potential harm that it may cause to organisms and ecosystems is an emotive modern day reality. Effective environmental action to minimize plastic in the environment should be motivated by changes in consumption practices, policies, and product design, and should be informed by objective science and legislation.

Results

Conclusion