A Note On the Trash Crisis

The Situation

Worldwide we generate upwards of 3.5 million tons of plastic and other sturdy waste every day. This trash winds up in our oceans, rivers, beaches, and streets harming animals habitats, impending sea creatures and eventually decreasing our own ability to use rivers as resources. I am sure you have all heard the term reduce reuse and recycle. Much stress has been put on the idea of improving the quantity of what we choose to convert into reusable material. As important as it is to encourage the recycling of waste we must take a step back to understand the genesis of the issue. Urban development and accelerated industrialization are undoubtedly creating this large issue. The rise of online shopping and immense plastic used to package items has reached an extreme. Just yesterday I received a package containing a small item wrapped with not only one but two layers of plastic inside of a box. This is just one of the countless encounters I have had.

Working To Decrease Trash at the Source

The more packages that get in the system from such sources the lesser the need to recycle stubborn materials such as plastic.

Fortunately, there is a recent increase in the private sector of venture capitalists allocating funds to startup companies focused on reducing and improving packaging materials. One of these companies being Geonomatica. This San Diego based company creates chemicals used for more sustainable packaging. Another heavily funded company, Tipa, makes compostable packaging. The more packages that get in the system from such sources the lesser the need to recycle stubborn materials such as plastic. I find this hopeful recycling can only be part of the answer smarter packing materials is certainly part of the solution as well