Organisations whose products and services are based on single-use plastic are increasingly getting under siege. This is due to the vociferous anthems of the environmental effects of plastic from the scientific and civil community. It is well known that plastic supports a great chunk of packaging, retail, manufacturing and other industries. Particularly the single-use plastic has been touted as an environmental nuisance

Some of the key attributes of single use plastics relate to being non-biodegradable, effects of biodiversity “flora and fauna”. When some animals swallow plastics, they die painful deaths including through inflammation of their stomach. Entanglement, suffocation and obstruction are other causes of fatality. Responsible behaviour should spurn us towards alternative materials

It is essential to first take stock of some of the major sources of single use plastics. A plethora of uses include packaging materials in retail and clothes shops, containers in restaurants, straws, beverage containers which are made from plastic. However, it is not all of them which are toxic.

Promising rays of innovation are beginning to emerge in hospitality sector where glass is being preferred again in comparison to single use plastics.

Countries have responded differently to the problem of single use plastic. Others have gone for blanket bans of plastic bags and single use plastic. In the other stream of other countries economic instruments such as taxes on plastics, subsidies on alternative materials as well as instituting deposit refund systems. When burnt, plastics can release toxic fumes which can interact with human health and safety. In addition, the release of toxic furans, dioxins and benzofurans persists in most countries.

The main challenges related with actions to deal with single-use plastics is the lack of alternatives in many countries. Where they exist, the alternatives are expensive. Stakeholders must come with collaborative solutions to the problem.

According to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), plastics kill 100 000 aquatic animals every year. This is a very high number of fatalities. The reality of continuing with plastic for a lifetime is a dangerous plunge into ecosystem suicide. Society must begin to transform into environmentally friendly lifestyles.

Nanotechnology which studies small particles and materials science are touted as some of the major breakthroughs which should lead us into a new innovative trajectory for packaging material. Green packaging should be undertaken if we are to attain sustainability. How long should we wait whilst the damage is done.

Restaurants too should encourage people to sit in, were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic. The future of humanity is in our hands and we need to begin to think about the future of single use plastic. The pressure from regulators continues to grow and pressure from civil society is also evident. Throughout this anxious time, the million-dollar question is how long plastic will survive?

Author

  • Tawanda Muzamwese

    Tawanda Collins Muzamwese is the Editor in Chief of the Green Business Gazette Magazine. He is is an international consultant in sustainable business development with massive experience in training, consulting and auditing. He has facilitated capacity development in more than 100 enterprises drawn from over 30 countries. He is the founder of the sustainability think-tank called Toxiconsol Consultancy t/a African Sustainability Consultants. He is the Editor in Chief of the Green Business Gazette Magazine. He is a consultant and business coach with over 13 years experience. Tawanda is a Management Systems Consultant working on promoting development and implementation of ISO Standards (ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001:2018) in both developed and developing countries. With his inspirational and pragmatic writing style he has written cutting edge books including: 1) How to grow a Side-hustle into a viable business - Overcome Salary Dependency 2) The Leading Consultant: How become an authority in your professional field 3) Step-by-Step Guide to implementing Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Management Systems 4) Stepping on Higher Perspectives: Greatness Tips Motivational Series 5) Sustainability Guidebook for Boards and CEOs: Leading from the front Tawanda writes about sustainability, motivation, safety, health, environment and quality management. His books are relevant to both developed and developing countries. With practical approaches and case studies, he provides incisive insights into entrepreneurship. His philosophy is based on the premise that every human being has potential to make a significant difference in their lifetime. He writes books on taking personal responsibility for progression in life. He motivates entrepreneurs to implement income generating projects and determine their own financial destiny. He also motivates companies to take up sustainability initiatives. A start-up coach, public speaker, environmentalist, safety, health and quality management expert, Muzamwese bridges the gap between theory and practice through building capacity and sharing practical case studies in his books.

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