plastic polution

1. PL A STICS
S E S S I O N 1 0 : R E A D I N G S A N D V I D E O S

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this module, students should be able to
• Explain why plastic is an invaluable resource in the economy
• Recognize the open access problem associated with disposal of plastics
• Understand the impact on wildlife ecology and on the human food chain
• Evaluate differences in the environmental impact of plastics based on their
use.
• Explain the complexity of the balance between the value of plastic and the
associated negative externalities

3. REQUIRED READING/VIEWING
Plastic Pollution - Our World in Data 2018. gives a comprehensive view of plastic
production, use, waste, disposal, and environmental implications.
• The associated slide deck Our World in Data Slides may be enough.
• The importance of product packaging - Printex Transparent Packaging is a brief
website that discusses the value of plastic packaging.
• Why is plastic so important to corporations? Here is an example: The Secrets
Behind Coca Cola’s Plastic Waste | Environmental Documentary (2:32)
• Why It's Probably Better for the Planet to Throw Plastic in the Trash RealClear
Science (Short read)Thomas Kinnaman
• Why does so much plastic waste end up in Asia? | DW News, 8:17
• Micro-Plastics | Toxins in our seafood? 18:52 ABC Science 2016

4. IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING
Practical considerations
– Protection during shipment
– Product convenience and security
– Product freshness
Marketing is valuable but wasteful
– Preference for exaggeration of product size
– Clarity of packaging for better sales
– Regular sized for shipping
Questions to consider
– Should we prioritize food packaging?
– Should plastics be limited to durable rather than disposable uses?

5. OPEN ACCESS PROBLEM
Using the oceans as a dump is an open access problem.
– 2017 – 150 million tons of plastic in the oceans
– 2017 – 8 million tons added per year, and increasing
– 2025 – 1 ton of plastic for every ton of fish
– 2050 – equal weights of plastic and fish
Free-rider problem: MC of contributing to the solution
is greater than MB of suffering less pollution.

6. LET’S STEP AWAY FROM OUR SLIDES
TO A COMPREHENSIVE SLIDE DECK
Plastic Pollution Slide Deck - Our World in Data
This slide deck is built to accompany is
Plastic Pollution - Our World in Data 2018

7. THE RECYCLING MYTH
95% of plastic packaging is single use, 5% returns to the material
stream.
Single use packaging is recyclable in theory but not in practice.
– Helps manufacturers wash their hands of responsibility
– The Secrets Behind Coca Cola’s Plastic Waste
The recycling system is broken
– Exporting “recyclables” to developing countries (China, Malaysia)
• Why does so much plastic waste end up in Asia? | DW News, 8:17
• The War on Plastic isn’t working – recycling myths exposed, Channel 4,
10:29
– Why It's Probably Better for the Planet to Throw Plastic in the Trash

9. WILDLIFE AND HUMAN IMPACT
Plastics flow through the entire food chain.
Wildlife consumption of plastics is well known
• Midway, a plastic island 14:15 (Graphic warning)
• Marine plastic: Hundreds of fragments in dead seabirds BBC Science
June 2018
5 years ago we weren’t sure, but now we know plastic travels up the food
chain
• Micro-Plastics | Toxins in our seafood? 18:52 ABC Science 2016

10. OCEAN PLASTICS: 8 STEPS TO SOLUTION
8 steps to solve the ocean’s plastic problem - World Economic Forum
1. We must reduce our plastic dependency
2. Increased producer responsibility
3. Increase fees and taxes on polluting plastics
4. Increased waste management where the problem is greatest
5. Implementation of the zero vision for ocean plastic
6. Increased mapping, surveillance and research
7. Stop the flow of plastic waste into the sea
8. Increased funds for clean-up