Why is Plastic so Cheap?

  Plastic pollution and the climate crisis are often treated separately, yet they are deeply interconnected issues. While some countries address plastic waste with bans and charges, the fossil fuel industry, largely responsible for emissions, remains largely unchanged. A recent Guardian investigation revealed that just 20 oil and gas giants contributed 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1965. With the transition to renewable energy, these companies are shifting focus to plastic production, exacerbating environmental concerns. So why is plastic so cheap? And what are the solutions available?

🔬 Why is Plastic Cheap?  

Plastic is cheap because it is a by-product of the fossil fuel industry. Cheap plastic is made using chemicals produced in the process of making fuel. Petroleum refining transforms crude oil extracted from the ground into gasoline, producing ethane as a byproduct. A decade ago, the advent of fracking made the raw materials for plastics significantly cheaper.

Fracking shale gas produces lots of ethane, which is turned into ethylene – the building block for many hard-to-recycle plastic products, like packaging films, sachets and bottles. Cheap polyethylene from fracking created a glut of plastic packaging on supermarket shelves that sociologist Rebecca Altman has called “frackaging”.

There are few facilities worldwide that can dispose of or recycle this kind of plastic efficiently. They’re expensive to set up and run and there’s little demand for using recycled material to make new products. While packaging is the single largest source of plastic demand, most of that is thrown away as soon as it’s removed, with one third of it estimated to go directly to domestic waste and either incineration or landfill. In much of the world, a lot of it goes directly into the environment.

🧐 How Can I Solve the Problem?

Reducing fuel consumption won’t necessarily solve the plastic problem. Global plastic production is expected to double in the next 15 years even as demand for gasoline wanes. In 2017, 50% of all crude oil produced worldwide was refined into fuel for transport, most as gasoline. Electric vehicles and more efficient forms of public transport mean gasoline demand is falling. The oil and gas companies who own these refineries are instead gearing up to turn what is now excess fuel into plastics for packaging. The most important thing you can do as an individual is to reduce your plastic consumption by bringing your reusables, vote for good climate policy and vote with your money by choosing companies who are actively reducing their plastic consumption and taking responsibility of the full life cycle of their products!

Sustainable Living Tips

Since we’re focusing on plastics this week, I thought why not look at how we can all reduce the plastic in our lives.

☕️ Choose Reusable Alternatives: Opt for reusable items instead of single-use plastic products. Carry a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bags to reduce the need for disposable plastics. Investing in durable alternatives can significantly decrease plastic waste over time.

🌸 Shop Mindfully: Be conscious of packaging when shopping for groceries and other items. Choose products with minimal or plastic-free packaging whenever possible. Buying in bulk can also reduce packaging waste by cutting down on individual wrappers and containers.

👋🏽 Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Say no to single-use plastics such as straws, utensils, and food containers. Bring your own reusable alternatives when dining out or ordering takeout. Additionally, consider using alternatives like beeswax wraps or silicone food storage bags instead of plastic wrap or zip-top bags.

💖 Support Plastic-Free Initiatives: Support businesses and organisations that prioritise plastic reduction and sustainability. Look for brands that use eco-friendly packaging or offer refillable options for household items like cleaning products and personal care items. By voting with your wallet, you can encourage more businesses to adopt plastic-free practices.

ThredUp

Omg I’m obsessed with this thrift store. There is this amazing function that allows you to look up pieces in a photo, so you can pull cute outfits off of Pinterest or IG, plug them into the site and then it will pull any thrifted items to match. So cool!!

👩🏼‍⚖️ The NY senate passed a climate change superfund act.

🎊 A new direct air capture plant is live in Switzerland. Climeworks is looking to store up to 36,000 metric tons of carbon per year.

💸 Countries are proposing a billionaire tax to help the climate.