The Plastic Invention
A little more than 100 years ago in 1907, an invention was made by Leo Baekeland in the city of New York, that would change the very character of our world and way of life. He named his creation as ‘plastic,’ and hoped that it could be mass produced and used for making appliances affordable for the common people.
Little did he imagine that his invention would go far and beyond, and in every home, office, restaurant or car parking today- you could just glance up and spot a minimum of 5 plastic articles in your immediate vicinity.
Items made out of plastic have become an intrinsic part of our lives. From the start of our day with a plastic tooth brush, to the end of our day with a night-cream in a plastic tube, we are surrounded by plastic. Supply of cheap plastic made producing and packaging consumer goods easier, prices became cheaper and demand increased.
And now, fast forwarding to the year 2022, we are literally flooded with plastics. By 2050, the number of plastics in the ocean will be more than the number of fishes.
And this, we just cannot let happen !
Transition to the recycling economy
These innovations show what can be achieved when the principles of the circular economy is adopted.While ocean and beach clean up campaigns to collect plastic waste are required, this will never be enough unless we reduce our plastic obsession.
As individuals, we need to phase out plastic products and phase in alternative lifestyles.
And until we achieve that, let these innovations give us hope!
