Alternatives to Plastic
Plastic pollution has unfortunately become one of the most pressing environmental issues in our current society. The widespread use of plastic, specifically single-use plastics, has resulted in environmental degradation affecting many communities and people. Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste end up in landfills and oceans, harming wildlife, damaging ecosystems, and contributing to the growing issue of climate change. One of the biggest challenges in dealing with plastic has been its resistance to natural degradation, with some plastics taking decades, even centuries to fully degrade. A plastic bottle, for example, can take up to hundreds of years to break down, and even when broken down, they simply become microplastics which are increasingly being found in people’s digestive systems, with many unhealthy effects that could occur. Despite the convenience plastic offers, these environmental and health concerns force us to try and make better alternatives. Fortunately, various materials such as metal, glass, natural fiber cloth, wood, paper, cardboard, and others have been used so that we can reduce our reliance on plastic and create a more sustainable future.
One alternative to plastic we have been using for a while is metal, specifically stainless steel and aluminum. Metals are highly durable and endlessly recyclable, making them an excellent option for an alternative to plastics. Aluminum, for example, is one of the most recycled materials in the world and can be recycled repeatedly without degrading its quality, which significantly reduces the need for new raw materials. The energy required to recycle aluminum is also much lower than what is needed to produce new aluminum from raw materials. Stainless steel is also another commonly used metal for items such as water bottles, kitchenware, and containers, which all have many variations made from single-use plastics. It also has a strong durability which allows for long-term usage, reducing the demand for single-use plastic items. In addition, metal containers do not leach harmful chemicals into food or beverages, which has been a concern with some plastics. The long lifespan of metal products, with their recyclable nature, makes them a great alternative to single-use plastics!
Glass is another excellent alternative to plastic, particularly in food and beverage storage. One of the most significant advantages of glass is that it is non-toxic, unlike like some plastic containers. With glass, we do not have to worry about this issue because glass keeps its contents pure. This makes it a preferred material for items such as jars, bottles, and cookware. Glass is not just great for its non-toxic properties, it is also highly recyclable; glass can be recycled indefinitely without losing its integrity, similar to metals. While the process of recycling glass is energy-intensive, the long-term benefits of its reuse and recyclability definitely makes this drawback worth it. Additionally, glass is much more environmentally friendly than plastic since it does not contribute to microplastic pollution.
Natural fiber cloth, such as cotton, hemp, or linen, has also been a popular sustainable alternative to plastic in making bags, food storage, and other packaging. They are reusable, washable, and can last for decades if used properly. This durability greatly reduces the need for disposable plastic bags, minimizing the enormous amount of plastic waste generated by single-use bags. Hemp is a particularly environmentally friendly cloth option. It requires little water to grow, enriches the soil it’s grown in, and grows quickly, making it ideal as a sustainable alternative to plastic. Try and remember to bring your own reusable tote bag instead of asking for a plastic bag the next time you go get groceries!
Wood, another popular renewable and compostable resource, offers many advantages over plastic. Some common applications of wood are containers, furniture, and, lately, single-use utensils. While I believe single-use utensils should not be heavily relied upon, I would still prefer if someone uses a wooden single-use utensil over a plastic one as it is compostable and much more environmentally friendly. The main disadvantage of wood is that we need to cut down trees to acquire the materials, but trees are at least a renewable resource compared to plastic. Sustainably sourced wood from certified forestry operations ensures that the environmental impact of logging is minimized. Certified tree plantations on already deforested or degraded land also help to ensure that there are enough trees to go around. If wooden furniture and household items are used properly, then they can also last for decades, further reducing the need for plastic products.
Paper is one of the most widely used alternatives to plastic, particularly in packaging. Usually derived from wood, paper products are usually both compostable and, if clean, recyclable, making them a much more sustainable choice compared to plastic. In many regions, efforts have been made to replace plastic packaging with paper, particularly in retail settings. The production of paper does have a hefty environmental cost, specifically deforestation and water usage. However, these impacts can be mitigated by using recycled paper and using paper sourced from sustainable forestry operations. Additionally, innovations in paper manufacturing are continually reducing the environmental footprint associated with its production.
Cardboard, just like paper, is a versatile and recyclable material that can replace plastic in packaging and shipping. Cardboard boxes are commonly used for transporting goods and have been a staple in the online retail industry. The recyclability of cardboard makes it a far superior option to plastic packaging materials such as bubble wrap or plastic wrap, which are only single-use. Corrugated cardboard, a common form of cardboard, is often used for shipping and is made from layers of paper that provide strength and durability to make sure the product does not arrive damaged. Additionally, cardboard can be reused multiple times before being recycled, lowering overall waste. However, one of the challenges with cardboard, as with paper, is ensuring sustainable sourcing. Using recycled cardboard and supporting responsible forestry initiatives can help minimize the environmental impact.
In addition to these more common materials, other emerging alternatives to plastic show great promise. Bamboo, a grass, is gaining popularity since it is a highly renewable resource that grows quickly, requires little water or pesticides, and composts easily. Bamboo is being used in everything from toothbrushes to food service ware to packaging. Compostable fibers and plastics, designed to break down quickly in commercial composting facilities, are also materials that have recently gained more traction. These materials are often used in single-use food and beverage containers, cutlery, and compostable bags. Compostable plastic should not be confused with biodegradable plastic.
Plastic has undoubtedly revolutionized modern life with its convenience, durability, and versatility, but the environmental costs are too great for us to simply ignore. By switching over to more sustainable alternatives such as metal, glass, natural fiber cloth, wood, paper, cardboard, and other innovative materials, we can lower our reliance on plastic applications, lowering our environmental damage. These materials offer environmental benefits and promote sustainability, which we urgently need. We also need to enforce better laws regarding single-use plastics such as bans on single-use plastic bags or plastic bag surcharges to disincentivize people from using plastic bags. Changing our reliance on plastic to better alternatives is crucial in addressing plastic pollution and moving towards a greener, healthier planet.
Works Cited
Middle Georgia State University
https://www.mga.edu/sustainability/docs/Recycling_Facts.pdf
British Stainless Steel Association, “Environmental aspects of stainless steel”
Perkins, Tom “Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are contaminating plastic food containers
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/09/toxic-forever-chemicals-plastic-food-containers
Rainforest Alliance “What is Sustainable Forestry”
https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/insights/what-is-sustainable-forestry/#:~:text=Use%20reduced%2Dimpact%20logging%20techniques&text=Reduced%2Dimpact%20techniques%20allow%20loggers,%2C%20waste%2C%20and%20carbon%20emissions.
