One of the big issues mentioned by Poverty Inc. was the need for job creation. A group of social entrepreneurs built this website in order to help solve both that problem and the problem of plastic waste build up–a problem we saw many images of in the film. Their design is low-cost and enables anyone to start a DIY recycling program which allows the entrepreneur to both break plastic down and to craft it into anything they want (bowls, ladders, etc.). I think investing in these machines would be a great way to provide people with the means to start their own businesses and become manufacturers. They could hire other locals to find the plastic, work the machines, and/or sell the goods.
Fascinating! And great potential, I think. Here’s a question – what are some of the implications of passing laws that ban plastic? Or boycotting businesses that make plastics? Should all businesses that make (or use) plastics be treated the same? Why or why not? What are some of the businesses and industries that depend upon plastics? Why?
I think that banning plastics, full stop, would be a mistake. Plastics serve purposes that other things cannot–their combination of low cost, pliability, durability, etc. make them unique. In terms of limiting their uses, I could be persuaded to curtail their use and give preferential treatment to e.g. the medical industry. Industries with viable alternatives (e.g. the broom handle industry) could be forced to choose those without much harm. Additionally, one of the best ways I can come up with in reducing the use of new plastics is to tax the raw materials more so that recycling becomes the cheaper option. As far as I know, reusing plastics would make more of an impact on the environment than simply banning its use outright.
What do you think?
Actually, the medical industry is one I was thinking of that desperately needs plastics (cheaper, lighter, disposable, more sanitary than glass). But I suspect that requiring other industries to use materials other than plastics would have effects on cost (and therefore price) that we don’t anticipate. I agree with the impulse to reuse/recycle plastics. And I also think that there should be far stiffer penalties for improper disposal (such as into the oceans).
Great food for thought!