The Problem with Plastics

Laudato Si Reflection, Week Three

Previous reflections have addressed waste reduction and prayerful eating. This week let’s talk about plastics. Plastic was invented in 1907 as a material called Bakelite made from fossil fuels and used in dials and knobs. The 1950s and 1960s in the US saw a surge in plastic use in the form of convenience goods and packaging. Plastic was used in cars, medical devices, furniture, building materials, as well as toys and clothing. As plastic trash grew, we were encouraged by plastic manufacturers, i.e., the petroleum industry, to recycle it. Recycling was promoted as an individual responsibility, not a problem in production or marketing. The Plastics Industry introduced resin identification codes—those numbers 1 – 7 found on the bottom of plastic packaging. In reality, only numbers 1 and 2 plastics can be recycled. And, like with the tobacco industry, the plastics industry knew decades ago of the harms of plastic pollution, but hid the information from the public.

Plastic production has grown exponentially. We in the US ship our discarded plastic electronics and clothing to developing countries, which ends up in landfills. You may have heard about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive mess of plastics of all kinds. Scientists have known about the harmful effects of microplastics on the world’s oceans for some time, which include the bioaccumulation of microplastics in the food chain (fish ingest plastics, and humans eat fish). New research reveals that not only are microplastics polluting the oceans, they may be accelerating climate change. 

This is not to say that we shouldn’t recycle. Recycling glass, paper, and aluminum is a worthwhile practice since the materials can be repurposed for useful products with little waste and energy. Plastics are another matter. Only about 6% of plastics are recycled. That’s because plastic content varies widely, contains up to 16,000 chemicals, and can’t be readily made into other products. In her book “The Problem with Plastics,” author Judith Enck offers numerous steps we can take, ranging from policy changes to individual habits. Policy changes include bans on single use plastics and extended producer responsibility (making the manufacturer responsible for disposal). An emerging plastics ban campaign focuses on artificial turf, or plastic grass. Artificial turf is pervasive in public parks, school sports fields, and residences. The mounting evidence points to the health harms of playing on artificial turf where plastic (containing “forever chemicals” PFAS) is routinely shed.

We can support these measures, along with reuse and refill stations in parks, schools and public settings. Examples of individual actions are:

Bring your own reusable shopping bags and produce bags to stores.

Pay attention to packaging and avoid products in plastic bags as best you can.

Bring your own containers—e.g., shopping at food co-ops like Rainbow Grocery Coop.

Carry your own mug and water bottle, even your own cutlery.

As a health practice, Enck’s number 1 suggestion is to not microwave in plastic containers, especially black plastic. This releases chemicals into the heated food. From the Laudato Si’ Movement Catholics for Climate Covenant, we can draw on this week’s reflection on what it means to Care for Our Common Home.

Many of the climate decisions we face today are shaped by desires that promise comfort, growth, and security, yet often at the expense of the poor, future generations, and the Earth itself. The desire for endless consumption, polluting energy, and convenience can masquerade as progress, even as it deepens ecological and social wounds. Lent invites us to ask: which desires are truly shaping my choices? When we choose restraint, solidarity, or advocacy for climate justice, even at personal cost, we often experience a deeper freedom: the freedom of coherence between my faith and my actions. In this spirit, this week’s Laudato Si’ Goal of Adopting Sustainable Lifestyles invites us to live with sufficiency and sobriety.

Nancy Tierney, member of Laudato Si’ Circle at St. Ignatius Parish