Creating a throw-away culture: How companies ingrained plastics in modern life

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The history of plastics indicates that plastics weren’t always ubiquitous. Because people had to be influenced into a throwaway culture, in theory, it should also be possible to dismantle throwaway culture. It’s complicated, though, because most of the blame lies in the greed of the plastic industry. So the answer can’t rely on banning plastics entirely, part of the answer lies in the consumer end of the plastic life cycle.

A lot of people are already aware of the plastic problem. Simply providing the option for an alternative to plastic production, and a small incentive to use the alternative might be enough. Perhaps there is a ‘plastic tax’ on plastic goods, while the alternative plastic free options are sold at a lower price.

Single-use plastics have little intrinsic value, perhaps there is a way to include graphics/artwork on single use plastic that encourages people to hang onto ‘trash’ for a little longer.

The original appeal of plastics was its durability. For the sake of making more money, the plastic industry is no longer concerned with making durable products. People are receptive to convenience, but there’s nothing more inconvenient than products that have short life spans. Designing product alternatives that are intentionally meant to be durable for a lifetime, even if made of plastic, encourages people to rethink throwaway culture.

‘Norms’ are typically subversive to start with. Granting the ability to change to those who are already prepared to pursue it is the start to turning the tide against plastics.

The advantage ODNR has over plastics is that visitors come to state parks in search of an experience that lasts. How can ODNR turn the plastics in circulation at their parks into items people don’t want to throwaway after a single use?