Making Money By Going Green: Alternatives To Plastic

Plastic is cheap to produce, and we all want to pay the lowest possible price, so there isn't much incentive to replace it. However, plastic pollution is costing the world up to $2.5 trillion per year, and eight million tons of plastic go into the oceans every year. Alternatives to plastic include biodegradable utensils, compostable wrappers, plant-based bottles, and compressed-fibre plates and bowls. However, production is limited in scale, more expensive than conventional plastic, and it's not yet clear that these alternatives are better for human and planetary health.

Plastic pollution costs the world up to $2.5 trillion per year

Eight million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, and this volume could increase tenfold by 2025.

Theoretically, alternatives to plastic could seamlessly slot into existing supply chains, requiring no sacrifice on the part of consumers, who are clamouring for more sustainable options. However, production is limited in scale, and alternatives are more expensive than conventional plastic. It is also not yet clear that the alternatives are actually better for human and planetary health. Most plant-based plastics are, on a molecular level, identical to their fossil-fuel-sourced siblings and last just as long in the environment. Other substitutes require many of the same toxic chemical additives as conventional plastics to keep them waterproof, flexible, durable, and colourfast.

The properties that make plastic environmentally unfriendly are the same ones that make it so useful. It is also cheap to produce, and consumers want to pay the lowest possible price, so there is little incentive to replace it.

Plastic is cheap to produce, so there's little incentive to replace it

One of the main reasons plastic is so cheap to produce is because of the way it's made. Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, which are a cheap and abundant source of energy. However, this also means that plastic production is contributing to climate change. So, while plastic may be cheap in the short term, it's actually costing us a lot more in the long run.

There are alternatives to plastic that are more environmentally friendly, such as biodegradable utensils, compostable wrappers, and plant-based bottles. However, these alternatives are often more expensive to produce than conventional plastic. This is because they require more specialised materials and processes, and they are not yet produced on a large scale.

Despite the higher upfront cost, there are some companies that are starting to make the switch to plastic alternatives. This is because they recognise the long-term benefits of reducing plastic pollution. By investing in more sustainable options now, they can help to reduce the environmental and economic costs of plastic pollution in the future.

So, while it's true that plastic is cheap to produce, there are actually many incentives to replace it. The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis, and we need to take action now to prevent it from getting worse. By investing in more sustainable alternatives, we can help to reduce the environmental and economic costs of plastic pollution and create a better future for everyone.

Lab-grown meat is an alternative to plastic, but it's expensive

Plastic is cheap to produce, and there is little incentive to replace it. However, plastic pollution is costing the world up to $2.5 trillion per year. Lab-grown meat is an alternative to plastic, but it is expensive. The first cheeseburger made with lab-grown meat cost about $300k. While it is exciting to see these new products come to light, it is unlikely that we will see them in a retail space for years, if ever. Lab-grown meat is not the only alternative to plastic. Biodegradable utensils, compostable wrappers, plant-based bottles, and compressed-fibre plates and bowls could also replace plastic. However, production is limited in scale, and these alternatives are more expensive than conventional plastic. It is also not yet clear that they are better for human and planetary health.

Biodegradable utensils, compostable wrappers, plant-based bottles, and compressed-fibre plates and bowls are alternatives to plastic

The failure to connect business costs with societal and environmental costs is decimating our economies and wildlife. A study published in the *Marine Pollution Bulletin* in 2019 says that plastic pollution is costing the world up to $2.5 trillion per year.

The properties that make plastic very environmentally unfriendly are the same ones that make it so useful. It is also cheap to produce, and consumers want to pay the lowest possible price, so there is little incentive to replace it.

Plastic alternatives are limited in scale and more expensive than conventional plastic

The failure to connect business costs with societal and environmental costs is decimating our economies and wildlife. A study published in the *Marine Pollution Bulletin* in 2019 says that plastic pollution is costing the world up to $2.5 trillion per year. This means that we have to decide what is more important – our habitat or money.

Frequently asked questions