Single use plastics

The problem of single use plastics, in the United States, is largely one of aesthetics: waste is ugly.  Using something once then throwing it away has to have some kind psychological effect which contributes to our short term thinking.  Like abortion, this issue likely has complex sociological consequences.

And I say it is largely aesthetic, because the plastics are buried in enormous landfills which, by and large, are not hurting anything.  They might in 100 years, but by then we will have evolved or destroyed what we have built, so we will have either created an easy solution–like the plastic eating bacteria which are already being researched–or it won’t matter.

But for now, for today, for 2018, I will suggest a couple ideas.

The first is reusable, standardized cups with straws in them.  We could model them, say, on McDonald’s Small, Medium Large, and Fat Boy.  Whatever size you get, you get an upgrade to the next size at no extra charge.

Such cups will of course also double as water bottles.  They can have carabiners on them to loop on to backpacks for use by students.  They can have pictures of sea otters and orcas, and sea turtles.

They can come with a label saying “this cup saves 20 pounds of garbage a year” or whatever.

And these cups could be sold with reusable silverware, a knife, spoon and fork which fit into a container of some sort.  Maybe an assembly could be designed so the silverware is integral to the container, and light weight.  Imagine a world where most people carry their own cups and silverware around, if they regularly eat fast food.

Actually, even in regular restaurants, if you bring in your own cup, that is less dishwashing for them.

And if people just want to carry metal or reusable plastic straws with them, discounts could be offered.  Perhaps a reusable lid could be designed too, which integrates with different sized cups.  I think something really clever could be done in this realm.

And you develop a network of people who accept these things.  McDonald’s could have a sticker on their door, as could Panda Express, as could regular Mom and Pop stores of all sorts.

Standards could be developed, such that all cups are X ounces, and this is displayed on the outside  (8 ounces, 16 ounces, whatever).

And of course this would apply to coffee cups too.  Perhaps Starbucks could even be talked into making their fancy drinks in the cup you bring in, if they can sanitize it first.

Here is the beauty, the absolute, fantastic, wonderful aspect of free markets: there is money in this for someone, perhaps a lot of money. 

You’re welcome.