The Problem

The plastics industry has spent tens of millions of dollars advertising recycling (NPR 2020). Despite ​industry’s efforts to positively encourage recycling, many times packaging is not disposed of properly, as ​evidenced by litter scattered on roads and highways, or The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Corporations ​lack incentive to take meaningful action on improving recycling systems.

Companies can shift responsibility for the environmental impact of their products onto their consumers. It ​is estimated that 9% of plastic is recycled globally (UNDP, 2018) which is the reality of dispersing ​responsibility to consumers.

As Larry Thomas, former head of the Society of Plastics Industry, said, “If the public thinks that recycling is ​working, then they're not going to be as concerned about the environment” (PBS Frontline, 2020).

We will educate consumers about the effect of consumer packaging before purchase, not after. If we ​convince consumers to buy less from brands with high impact on the environment, we may rally the ​attention of industry. This will call to action both large corporations and the recycling industry by exposing ​the amount of litter they produce and the need to create products that could be properly handled after ​use.