Plastic Earth

I like to view myself as a person who is environmentally conscious, and I try to make decisions that will help my planet. I buy solid shampoo and conditioner that come in small boxes rather than plastic bottles that need to be constantly replaced. I can’t remember the last time that I bought a plastic water bottle. I bring my own cup to coffee shops. And I recycle. I used to think that the last one held a lot more weight than it does. I have heard that recycling isn’t as effective and revolutionary as we might think. If it is not cleaned perfectly or folded right, it may end up in a landfill along with the rest of our waste. What is remarkable to me though is how a lot of times this is used as an excuse to not even bother. I was startled when I was throwing something out in a trash can in the Mathematical Sciences building, and the can had three different slots for compost, landfill and recycling. However, when I looked closer, it all only went into one bag. This was a sobering thought for me because I like to remain optimistic that recycling and separating our wastes does have at least a small positive impact. However, this week's content has shown me that we must continue to look bigger if we hope to end this plastics crisis.

Screen Shot 2022-05-11 at 2.03.48 PM.pngSource: James Gimzewski lecture

 

From Dr. Gimzweski’s lecture, it was relatively clear what led to the advent of of plastic’s popularity. Advertisements such as the one above were warm and inviting. They appealed to different groups, but targeted women and ways that they could keep their home in order. What these advertisers did that was so successful was appealing to the needs and ways of the time. In the 1950s, women were typically thought of as homemakers, and these plastic products could make their work easier. Today, we are in the midst of a pandemic. One way that I think is incredibly effective at communicating the gravity of the plastic situation is through writings such as Plastidemic. Even just from the title, people can quickly make the connection between how dangerous and world-altering the COVID-19 pandemic is and what the making and use of plastics is doing to our Earth. What I really appreciated from Plastidemics, was that it ended on an encouraging note. It introduces many different movements that have been proven to help reduce a persons’ contribution to the climate change crisis. Although it is important to be honest about the dire situation we are in, sometimes encouraging and helpful language can be just the kind of push or introduction into more sustainable living that people need to be successful.

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Source: James Gimzewski lecture

 

I think one way to raise awareness about our plastic problem is to provide context on why even its creation has severe implications for the future. The current narrative is that you can really use whatever plastic you want, as long as you recycle it. However, with the nuances of recycling mentioned above, and discussed this week, this is not the reality anymore. But, if people don’t know this, they will continue to buy and use plastic, thinking that they are adapting to the plastic problem positively when they recycle it. Graphics like the one above about how long it takes for these plastics to break down, in addition to knowledge of recycling downfalls can work together really well to decrease a person's certainty in buying plastic products. 

 

Another way to encourage people to be aware of their plastic use habits, and ways that they can change is by allowing them to make it personal. For example, Esteban Quispe, a young inventor from Bolivia made a WALL-E type robot completely out of electronic waste. He was able to use his own self taught skills and an interest in transforming waste to make this project, so who says other young people around the globe can’t do this too? This may not be a way to prevent future waste, but it got a young person involved and interested in understanding the longevity of waste. He will likely take these lessons with him in the future to impact his plastic using behaviors.


One of the most perfect examples of making plastics personal is from Jess Irish’s movie, This Mortal Plastik. In the documentary, she talks about how her daughter loves whales, which inspired her to consider how long plastics exist through the concept of deep time, and how whales have evolved. She was able to reach her daughter through this context, and probably many other young people who share a similar interest. This contextualization can be monumental, specifically for young people who don’t yet have plastic using behaviors that they rely upon and cannot easily cut out of their lives. If we emotionally connect with the youth about plastic use, we will be better equipped to decrease its prevalence in the future when said youth grows up.

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Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6nEMPqF0Y

 

A final incredibly important concept to make people aware of is put forth by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. This organization emphasizes the difference between expense and economics. The example they provide is that a reusable straw may be more expensive than a packet of plastic straws, but it is more economic. This means that a reusable straw can be used for years, and you only need to buy one, whereas plastic straws must be repurchased every time they are used. As such, over the course of a few years, you are likely to spend more on plastic straws than that one reusable straw. 

 

All of the things mentioned above are either ways to help reduce our plastic waste, or how to make people aware of what is going on. All these methods applied together can amount to significant positive change for our planet, which we are in dire need of to continue on sustaining life on Earth. I am encouraged by the things that already exist, but am also hopeful that new initiatives and revolutionary ideas pop up in the future to get as many people on board with what a plastic free (fingers crossed) future could look like.

 

Works Cited

“Bolivian WALL-E: Teen Inventor Makes Robots Out Of Trash.” YouTube, uploaded by AJ+, 08, Dec., 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka6nEMPqF0Y

 

Bushi, Ruth. “Making sustainability affordable for all.” Alliance to End Plastic Waste, 14 Sept., 

2021, https://endplasticwaste.org/en/our-stories/making-sustainability-affordable-for-all#:~:text=Low%2Dcost%20measures%20such%20as,embrace%20activism%20while%20saving%20money.

 

Gimzewski, James. “The Problems with Plastic.” 11 May, 2022. 

 

Irish, Jess. (Director). (2021). This Mortal Plastik [Documentary]. http://thismortalplastik.com/

 

Vesna, Victoria. “Plastidemic.” [Ebook]. https://victoriavesna.com/ebooks/plastidemic/plastidemic.html