Plastic pollution remains a pressing issue, according to Sarah Morath, a professor of law at Wake Forest University and author of “Our Plastic Problem and How to Solve It.” The World Bank estimates that each person generates an average of 1.6 pounds of plastic waste daily. Morath discusses the challenges in addressing this problem and suggests potential legal and policy solutions.
The history of plastic dates back to World War I and II when manufacturers sought new markets for their products post-war. Initially, plastics were durable, but the shift to single-use plastics began in the 1970s and 1980s as manufacturers moved from materials like aluminum, glass, and paper to plastic. This change has led to widespread plastic pollution affecting soil, food, air, and water.
Morath highlights that microplastics pose a significant problem due to their small size, making them difficult to remove from the environment. These microplastics are found in human bodies through ingestion via water and food.
Addressing plastic pollution requires multiple approaches: regulations at various government levels, business actions, and individual behavior changes. Current environmental laws were enacted before the rise of single-use plastics; thus, new legal mechanisms are needed. Proposals include capping plastic production or using alternative raw materials like seaweed.
Morath’s book argues that recycling alone cannot solve the plastic problem due to its complexity and lack of infrastructure supporting recycling efforts. Only about 5% of all plastic is recycled effectively.
Consumers can contribute by choosing non-plastic alternatives or products with higher recyclability rates made from materials such as paper, aluminum, or glass.
For more insights into Professor Morath’s research on legal solutions for plastic pollution, refer to her articles in The Conversationand Bloomberg Law.
