SOLUTIONS
Real Solutions Now that we’ve revealed the top polluting companies of 2020 and looked at the
many ways single-use plastic harms people and the planet, we can delve into the
real solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. It’s important that we recognize that there are no quick fixes, and false solutions abound. Given the increasing ap-
plications of single-use plastic in modern society, each application will require tailored solutions, factoring in the actual and potential impacts of any solutions to the environment and the well-being of communities.
Companies, governments and individuals must consider the following questions when assessing potential solutions:
1. Is the solution affordable and accessible to all?
2. Will this solution use more energy and resources than the item or system it is replacing?
3. Is this a solution to the cause of the problem or is it merely swapping one single-use material for another?
COMPANIES MUST CHANGE Reveal
It is vitally important that fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies and retailers be transparent about how much plastic they use every
year, reported per item as well as by weight. The only way a company can set meaningful, measurable reduction targets is by knowing and sharing its starting point and yearly progress. Legislators also need to know how
much plastic each company is using in order to design new laws that support a transition to lower plastic use.
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