Have you noticed an increasing number of plastic products being marketed as eco-friendly? While this may seem like a step in the right direction for the environment, the reality is far from it. In fact, plastic companies have been using sneaky marketing tactics to deceive consumers into believing their products are sustainable. But these claims couldn’t be further from the truth. This post will dig into 3 marketing lies from the plastic industry and share tips on how to make smarter choices for a more sustainable future.
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How Plastic Pollutes
One of the major downsides of the plastic industry is the pollution it generates. Plastic production is a significant contributor to air and water pollution, affecting both human health and the environment. The process of manufacturing plastic also involves the extraction and processing of fossil fuels. This releases greenhouse gasses and other harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. These practices put communities at risk.
Additionally, the disposal of plastic products after their use leads to even more pollution. Millions of tons of plastic waste end up in landfills and oceans each year, harming marine life and disrupting ecosystems.
While plastic companies may tout their products as eco-friendly, the reality is that the production and disposal of plastic have significant environmental consequences. It’s important for consumers to be aware of the true impact of plastic on the environment and to make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
The Money Behind The Lies From the Plastic Industry
The financial success of the plastic industry is closely tied to the implementation of their marketing tactics. In 2021, the global plastic market was valued at $583 billion. And it is expected to continue to grow exponentially over the next few years. With such a large market share, plastic companies have the resources to invest heavily in advertising campaigns that persuade consumers to believe their products are environmentally responsible. However, this greenwashing tactic is often misleading and deceptive (more on that below). The plastic industry’s financial success enables them to continue to use these tactics, which ultimately contribute to the ongoing environmental damage caused by plastic waste. This is why it’s crucial to understand the deceptive marketing tactics employed by plastic companies, and to consider alternative options when it comes to purchasing products that can prevent further damage to our planet.
What is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing tactic used by plastic companies (and other companies as well). This is when companies promote their products as environmentally friendly, using sustainability buzzwords in their advertising to appeal to consumers. In reality, these claims are often unfounded, and sometimes even downright false.
Greenwashing is a way for plastic companies to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products, without actually making any substantial changes to their manufacturing processes or product materials. Greenwashing is a harmful practice that ultimately contributes to the ongoing damage caused by plastic waste. By misleading consumers into thinking that their products are environmentally responsible, plastic companies can continue to profit from the production and sale of single-use plastics. The false sense of eco-friendliness that greenwashing creates can also discourage consumers from seeking out more sustainable alternatives. All of this perpetuates the cycle of plastic waste.
Marketing Tactic 1: Recyclability
One of the most common ways plastic companies greenwash their products is by highlighting their recyclability. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of plastic waste is actually recycled. An estimated 242 million metric tons of plastic waste is generated globally every year. Of that, approximately 90 percent is incinerated or landfilled or ends up in the environment, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that while recycling is a part of the solution, it’s not the only answer. By promoting their products as recyclable, plastic companies are trying to shift the blame onto consumers for not properly disposing of their products. These lies from the plastic industry try to hide the need for them to take responsibility for their own role in the plastic waste crisis.
Marketing Tactic 2: False Claims of Biodegradability and Compostability
Another common tactic that plastic companies use to greenwash their products is by making claims about biodegradability and compostability. These claims are often plastered on packaging and marketing materials with flashy images of leaves and flowers, creating the illusion of an environmentally-friendly product.
However, the truth is that most plastic products marketed as biodegradable or compostable do not actually break down into harmless materials. In fact, many of these products require very specific conditions to biodegrade or compost. Those conditions are not often met in real-world settings like landfills and oceans.
This false sense of eco-friendliness not only contributes to the plastic waste crisis but also serves to confuse consumers who are genuinely trying to make environmentally responsible choices. Instead of relying on these false claims, it’s important to look for products that have been third-party certified as biodegradable or compostable under realistic conditions. Biodegradable Products Institute is one example of a third-party certification that verifies the compostability of products and packaging.
Marketing Tactic 3: Plastic Incineration and Chemical Recycling
The truth is that many plastics do not get recycled, but rather end up being burned. This is particularly concerning when considering the environmental and health risks associated with plastic incineration. When plastic is burned, it releases harmful chemicals into the air. These chemicals include dioxins and furans, which are known to cause cancer and other serious health issues. These toxic chemicals can also settle into the soil and water, contaminating our food supply and drinking water. Furthermore, the process of incineration produces a significant amount of greenhouse gasses. Greenhouse gasses contribute to climate change and further exacerbate the environmental impact of plastic waste.
While chemical recycling has been proposed as an alternative solution, it is not without its own set of challenges. Chemical recycling involves breaking down plastics into their chemical components and reforming them into new products. However, this process can also release hazardous chemicals and pollutants, further contributing to environmental and health risks. In addition, an analysis of chemical recycling plants in the United States found that they are not actually recycling any plastic. As much as we may want a technological solution for our plastic problem, it does not appear that chemical recycling will be that solution.
What You Can Do as a Consumer
The lies from the plastic industry try to hide the fact that we need to make changes to how we approach plastic. It’s clear that simply recycling plastic isn’t going to solve our planet’s plastic waste crisis. While it’s important to recycle what we can, it’s also important to make smarter choices as consumers. Changing our consumption habits can reduce our overall plastic footprint. One way to do this is by reducing your use of single-use plastics by switching to reusable straws, bottles, bags, etc. Another way is by choosing products and packaging made from more sustainable materials like glass, metal, or paper.
It’s also important to choose products that are designed for durability and longevity, rather than disposability. This means investing in high-quality products that are built to last, rather than buying cheap, disposable items that will end up in the garbage after just a few uses. For example, you could buy a higher quality, 100% cotton outfit on ThredUp for a similar price as microplastic-shedding manmade fabric from a fast fashion store. (P.S. You can reach more about secondhand-clothes shopping here).
What You Can Do as a Citizen
While it is great for us all to take individual action to reduce our plastic consumption, we also need policies to reduce production. Stopped plastic at the source is going to be key to reducing harmful impacts on communities and the Earth. Writing your representatives and voting at the local, state, and national levels are powerful ways to make change. You can also sign petitions for more accountability and eco-friendly business practices.
Some places are already taking action through laws regulating plastic. For example, California passed legislation that will require 25% less single-use plastics by 2032. The European Union restricts certain single-use plastics. And New Zealand recently became the first country in the world to ban single-use produce bags at supermarkets. There are also international discussions currently underway at the United Nations to have a global treaty on plastics.
Conclusion
Lies from the plastic industry through marketing have allowed them to profit off of our desire for a sustainable future. However, their claims of biodegradability, compostability, and recycling are often false, and the industry’s pollution and toxicity cannot be ignored. The key to making smarter choices for the planet is to be mindful of the environmental impact of our choices. We should also advocate for industry change. We need policies that reduce plastic at the source and hold companies responsible for their waste production. By doing so, we can reduce our overall plastic waste and protect our planet for generations to come.
