Plastic Isn’t the Villain—Our Throwaway Culture Is

BIJU DHARMAPALAN

In the past few decades, plastic has been blamed for a significant portion of the global environmental crisis. Visuals depicting marine creatures ensnared in plastic waste and heaps of abandoned packaging have ignited a significant wave of indignation. Across the world, there is a growing outcry to eliminate plastic, with several countries taking steps to impose restrictions on its production and usage. In the fervent quest to vilify plastic, we often overlook a crucial question: Is plastic truly the villain, or have we, as a society, merely failed to use it with care?

A Marvel of Human Ingenuity

Plastic, by its very nature, is not inherently evil. This material stands as a testament to human ingenuity and innovation, marking a significant shift in our capabilities. Originating in the 19th century, plastic has transformed into a groundbreaking material that has significantly impacted various industries. Its lightweight nature, durability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness have rendered it essential to contemporary society.

 
Medical equipment, including syringes, IV tubes, artificial heart valves, and sterile packaging, depends on plastic to maintain hygiene and contribute to saving lives. The food sector employs this method to minimise spoilage and extend shelf life. In the realm of transportation, the use of plastic contributes to a decrease in vehicle weight, which in turn leads to lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. In the realm of space exploration, the use of plastic-based composites plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and enhancing design. It is evident that plastic is not inherently evil. Indeed, it stands as one of the most groundbreaking materials ever developed by humanity. What led to the missteps?

The Disposable Culture Trap

The real villain is our "use and throw" mentality. Half of the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced annually is intended for single-use—wrappers, bags, cups, and straws—that are discarded within minutes of use. Nevertheless, these materials remain in the ecosystem for centuries. Globally, fewer than 10% of plastic materials are recycled. The remainder ends up in landfills, oceans, or incinerators, exacerbating pollution and contributing to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of recognising plastic as a precious asset, we have relegated it to the status of waste. Plastic didn’t become a problem overnight. It became one when we let convenience overrule sustainability. Rather than treating plastic as a valuable resource, we turned it into garbage.

Rethinking Daily Habits: Simple Shifts Matter

Interestingly, some simple, old-fashioned habits could help mitigate the plastic crisis. Take, for example, the culture of the fountain pen.   Once upon a time, the art of writing was graced by refillable pens—elegant tools that endured through the years. In contemporary times, the majority of individuals rely on disposable ballpoint pens, which are predominantly crafted from plastic materials. Returning to the use of fountain pens or refillable pens may appear trivial, yet when considered on a large scale, it could lead to a significant reduction in plastic waste each year.
In a similar vein, reflect on the packaging of milk and sweet treats. In the past, milk was provided in reusable glass bottles or stainless steel containers. Currently, the majority of homes purchase milk in plastic pouches that are thrown away after just one use. Indian sweets, which were traditionally presented in eco-friendly paper boxes or wrapped in banana leaves, are now encased in several layers of plastic under the guise of “hygiene.” Even essential provision items—such as rice, sugar, lentils, and spices—once wrapped in cloth or paper —are now found in plastic packaging that is neither biodegradable nor easily recyclable.

The Waste Management Gap

A significant factor exacerbating the plastic issue is inadequate waste management practices. In numerous nations, particularly in the Global South, there exists a significant lack of infrastructure for the segregation, collection, and recycling of waste. Plastic waste often becomes entangled with food waste, making it difficult to recycle. Even in locations with recycling facilities, these operations frequently face challenges such as being overwhelmed or lacking economic feasibility, primarily due to the subpar quality of the waste they process.
Conversely, nations with strong recycling initiatives, such as Germany and Sweden, have demonstrated that effective systems can ensure that more than 90% of plastic waste is either reused or repurposed. These nations implement a system in which manufacturers are held responsible for the entire life cycle of their plastic products. India and other developing nations should seek inspiration from these models as they develop solutions tailored to their unique contexts.

It’s Not the Material, It’s the Mindset

Plastic once hailed as a miracle of modern science, has become a scapegoat for environmental degradation. However, the fault lies not in the material itself—it is in the way we have chosen to use and discard it. The culture of disposability, convenience, and apathy is the real devil.

Rather than vilify plastic, we must ask: Can we change how we use it? Can we adopt sustainable habits, such as using refillable pens, reusing containers, purchasing from bulk stores, and switching to biodegradable packaging for everyday items?

We do not need to declare war on plastic. We need to wage a war on our unsustainable choices.

(Dr. Biju Dharmapalan is  the Dean -Academic Affairs, Garden City University, Bangalore  and   an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies,  Bangalore. E-mail: bijudharmapalan@gmail.com)