Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
Pass Policies on Plastic
RECEIVED Tue., Sept. 26, 2023
Dear Editor,
Environmentalists and politicians need to change the way we speak about plastic pollution. We often hear the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but there is more focus on recycling than reduction. Recycling plastic, simply put, is not enough. Plastic incineration is also frequently claimed to be the perfect solution. If plastic is burned and destroyed, it no longer causes harm, right? This notion is incorrect and is leading us and our policies in the wrong direction. Plastic incineration is far from an acceptable solution, as it contributes heavily to air pollution. The only way to work toward a more sustainable future is to reduce plastic production and consumption altogether. There is no magic cure to fix the consequences of plastic while our economy still relies on it, we just need to stop contributing to the problem. We need to pass bottle bills, plastic packaging taxes, and policies that limit single-use plastics.
Environmentalists and politicians need to change the way we speak about plastic pollution. We often hear the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle,” but there is more focus on recycling than reduction. Recycling plastic, simply put, is not enough. Plastic incineration is also frequently claimed to be the perfect solution. If plastic is burned and destroyed, it no longer causes harm, right? This notion is incorrect and is leading us and our policies in the wrong direction. Plastic incineration is far from an acceptable solution, as it contributes heavily to air pollution. The only way to work toward a more sustainable future is to reduce plastic production and consumption altogether. There is no magic cure to fix the consequences of plastic while our economy still relies on it, we just need to stop contributing to the problem. We need to pass bottle bills, plastic packaging taxes, and policies that limit single-use plastics.
Eliana Legatt
