The Face of Plastic

We have come to the point where plastics have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. We use plastics for packaging of our food and other goods, appliances, furniture, clothing, and more—only for them to end up in landfills, oceans, or even the air we breathe. 

Previously, much of the discourse around plastic issues revolved around zero-waste lifestyles and actions on the individual level. More recently, concerns related to plastic production have taken the spotlight, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to this wicked problem. Life cycle thinking helps provide this holistic picture by taking into account production and disposal processes, not just the consumption and usage steps. 

In an economy designed to keep plastic in high demand, producers are incentivized to supply people with more and more plastics. In the Philippines, corporations like Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Universal Robina have been identified as some of the top plastic polluters. Whereas plastic sachets and containers were not perceived as needs before, it is thanks to some companies that these are now almost inextricable from everyday reality.

Because the demand and supply of plastic are not decreasing anytime soon, corporations and individuals alike have resorted to recycling plastic. While the idea seems inviting, it does not live up to its promise. According to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), only nine percent of plastic worldwide is recycled, while the rest is incinerated, dumped in landfills, or improperly disposed of. Of this nine percent, only two percent are effectively recycled, while the others are downcycled and end up as plastic waste eventually.

The truth is, recycling plastic has been marketed as a solution to the waste problem by plastic-producing companies. This excuses corporations to not only produce more plastic but also maintain a steady supply for incineration. Producers accumulate profit by burning plastic to generate energy. However, incineration releases toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, thus polluting the air and causing health issues like lung and heart diseases.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is considered the third-largest contributor to plastic waste worldwide, contributing to an estimated 0.75 million metric tons of ocean plastic every year. Dubbed as the “sachet economy,” the Philippines is notorious for irresponsible trash haulers and open dump sites that cause the plastic to spill into the seas. Contrary to popular belief, however, this waste is not solely generated by the country alone. The Philippines is only one among the many Southeast Asian countries that receive illegal imports of plastic waste from developed countries. Indeed, the Global North is just as accountable for what is considered a domestic problem.

If not a change in personal lifestyle, the solution to plastic waste demands a change in society. One promising solution is the circular economy. The main idea of the circular economy is to produce and dispose of as few resources as possible. This is done with system-based closed loops where raw materials are kept in perpetual cycles of reusing and recycling. Unlike the current linear economy, the circular economy highlights the longevity of resources with a significant reduction in production—the source of plastic waste. 

Besides this, the call for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) holds corporations accountable. Organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Break Free From Plastic Philippines ensure that companies are responsible for their plastic products and packaging’s end-of-life impacts. This can take the form of waste and brand audits, which are helpful to pressure companies to develop alternate production systems and business designs.

In any case, the movement to end plastic production cannot be initiated by individuals alone. A shift towards a plastic-free society calls attention to systemic alternatives from the micro to the macro level to ensure resources are purposefully managed. 

You can start by talking with your community about reducing waste and sharing resources, signing petitions, and joining demonstrations. If you own a business or know business owners, ask if they can choose fully biodegradable options for packaging like cassava bags or sugarcane bagasse takeout boxes. What is important is that the demand for a new kind of economy is made urgent to governments and businesses alike.

This article was written by Stanley Guevarra with graphics by Jankris Tiffany Peñaflor. Stanley and Tiff are Social Media and Science Communication Interns at the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability.

References:

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