Plastic is relentlessly polluting the world’s oceans by destroying marine life, littering the globe and creating noxious food chains. As a textile student, I am passionate about materials and how we use them. To imagine a world without waste, the future of the textile industry relies on how we create and adapt the materials we use. It is of great importance that we take responsibility within humanity to reconsider our connection with plastics. (Fletcher, 2008)
We have begun to overlook our throwaway society as though it is a natural philosophy. For example: “Coca-Cola produces an estimated 100 billion throwaway plastic bottles every year.” (Greenpeace, 2018) This astounding figure proves we are recklessly eliminating the same environment we share with marine life and therefore we must start to display more empathy. (Sky, 2017) We all now rely solely on plastic for many functions within daily life, yet this has not always been the case. So where did it all begin and what did we do before a life without plastics?
Plastics did not take up a role in conventional daily life until the late 1950s. When World War II ended, modern factories commenced the manufacture of consumer goods. The industry spent millions in the 1960’s to assure consumers that throwing products away was indeed agreeable because an ideology of reuse was rooted in everyday routine. (Freinkel, 2011) Advertising in the 1970s demonstrated the practicalities of plastic and it soon gained world-wide attention. Before 1976, where plastic became the world’s most extensively used material, people learned to simply value products until they became worn out. (Decker et al., 2014, pp 40- 41)
The both positive and negative impacts of plastic are immense. In the words of Freinkel: (2011, p.1)
“Plastic points the way towards a new creative partnership with the material we love to hate but can’t seem to live without.”
We have become so reliant on one material rather than researching and experimenting with new possibilities. Nevertheless, we cannot turn a blind eye to the positives plastics can deliver. It is extremely convenient, durable and accessible. Plastics are imperative to our medical equipment, they keep our transport safe and they protect our food by keeping it fresh. (Decker, et al., 2014, p45)
Moreover, assured reasons to use plastics include that it is a lightweight material meaning it is easy to carry around and it will not corrode. It will not break like glass and it can endure many uses. (Curver, 2015). Furthermore, plastics are suitable for practically any fundamental activity due to their physical and chemical uses. For this reason, if we continue to pursue the environmental repercussions of plastics we can still make use of the positive advantages. (Johnson, 2017)
In contrast, the negatives of plastics unquestionably outweigh the positives. If we continue to use plastic at such a high rate, we are working against the prospect of a circular economy. Over 90% of all seabirds have plastic pieces in their stomachs. (Anderson, 2017) This devastating number highlights the fact plastic takes centuries to break down and yet it never fully disappears. Plastic bags masking the corals can be mistaken for food by turtles. (Sky, 2017) Humans are also at more threat that we may know as microplastics can easily transfer from the ocean to our stomach and into our bloodstream. Approximately 2.5 billion people rely on seafood for essential protein yet fatal chemicals are leaking onto our plates. (Smith- Llera, 2018, pp 38-39) For example, Ecotoxicology’s Professor Colin Janssen states that: “We have estimated that a Belgian would eat anything between 2,000 – 11, 000 microplastics per year.” Mussel season in mid-July can be notorious for tiny microplastics which are often unseen by the naked eye. It is still unknown the harmful effects this could impose on the human body however the outcome needs further investigation. (Sky, 2017)
Humes (2013) makes the statement that it is very simple to eat our meal, take out the bins and have our rubbish magically disappear without a further thought for where it goes or who it affects. Marcus Eriksen studies the distribution of waste and the problem fishers can create with nylon nets. He discovered that ‘ghost nets’ can trap around 1,000 marine animals a day. Two years ago, in 2016, thirteen sperm whales were found washed up on Germany’s coastline. Researchers found that the whales had digested an abnormal amount of plastic, including fishing lines. This harsh reality means the whales ‘starved with full stomachs’ said conservationist Nicola Hodgins. (Smith-Llera, 2018, pp 28-29) Many deep parts of our ocean remain unseen by human activity yet studies by marine biologist, Kerry Howell, have shown that plastic waste has unfortunately overtaken us and now even the most remote areas of the ocean contains plastic litter. (Smith-Llera, 2018, p 44)
In the words of Decker (2014, p13) she states:
“While scientists might seem more likely to comment on ocean trash, artists too, are keen observers and tireless researchers, moving from observation and documentation to awareness and activism.”
This statement is very true as many artists and scientists are engaging with one another to create a poignant visual awareness around the topic. As individuals, we can investigate the different ways we see the world through creative outlets. One artist who achieves this extremely well is Jeremy Carroll. His artwork within the 2017 collection, ‘Marine Pollution’ is daring, clever and creative. Carroll explores the cruel existence we are all involved in today by stating:
“This photographic work translates the issues marine wildlife is facing in regards to marine pollution by creating a human analogy on plastic ingestion and entanglement.” (Carroll, 2017)
The use of plastics and rope used to portray human struggling emphasises the fact we must cooperate more to eradicate marine suffocation.
Likewise, many textile companies are successfully working towards a sustainable future. Brands have an obligation within society to revaluate our plastic uses and investigate ecological products which benefit the economy. (Anderson, 2017) One company who are strongly working towards this goal is ‘The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’. They work alongside government and businesses with a clear focus in mind:
“Our mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. One that is restorative and regenerative by design.” (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017)
Their five main centre points include Education, Business and Government, Insight and Analysis, Systemic Initiatives and Communications.
These aims highlight the importance of working together for positive change and inspire others to gain knowledge on the future of our planet.
Additionally, another prosperous company includes ‘Sea2See’ which was started by Francois van den Abeele. The fashion brand creates sunglasses made completely from discarded fishing nets in Spain. They want to be the ambassadors for change by ‘creating a global consciousness regarding the issue of sea contamination.’ The company was awarded Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 and they have increased the business on a global scale to more than eight countries. (Sea2See, 2017) This is a tremendous success which inevitably illustrates a positive example for other brands to aspire to.
Furthermore, ‘Supercyclers’ are an expanding group of designers who focus their methods on generating a renewable future and changing our approaches to scrap materials. Their 2015 collection ‘Marine Debris Bakelite’ sets an example of quality and purpose by creating beautiful products from originally discarded materials in the Australian ocean. Plastic is a permanent material, therefore ‘Supercyclers’ states that instead of disposable products, we should produce high value merchandise that needs to be treasured. (Simpson, 2015) The designers have chosen to clean up our coastlines by creating innovative and stylish homeware. This success was confirmed when the collection was launched at Tokyo Design Week in 2015. (Supercyclers, 2018)
Similarly, a collective campaign called ‘4Ocean’ focuses on financing the elimination of plastic waste from the ocean – ‘one pound at a time.’ The company now has worldwide support with active underwater clean ups in sixteen countries across the globe. (4Ocean, 2018) Their signature blue bracelets with a unisex design means that with every sale, one pound of waste is removed from the ocean. This unique design has proved to be a profitable success as 250,000 pounds of plastic waste was removed from the ocean in 2017. (4Ocean, 2018) The 4Ocean team share dedication and positive energy meaning they are committed to setting new goals for the future.
Another set back to plastic production could include the high increase in oil prices. The global demand has risen to 87.2m barrels of oil per day. (British Plastics Federation, 2008) The making of plastic bottles uses huge amounts of oil meaning it is not only an environmental issue but a resource issue too. Joss Bleriot, executive leader from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation states that:
“The plastics industry takes up roughly 8% of oil production and this is expected to rise to 20% by 2050.” (Gould, 2016)
On the other hand, oil is not the major source in producing plastics. Other possible raw materials for plastic include starch, organic waste and hydrocarbons. Single use plastics use only 15% of all non-combusted oil states BP, the world’s leading oil and gas company. If we continue to reduce plastic consumption, it could mean a loss of 2 million barrels of oil per day by 2040. (Vaughan, 2018) There are many debates for and against oil consumption in relation to plastic production, therefore the area still needs further research.
Plastics are a popular material for many reasons, yet we must revaluate how and why we use them. There are many easy and simple steps we can take to reduce our plastic use. It is now time for global engagement through collective action. In our present landscape, we have created the ideology of ‘out of sight, out of mind’, but we must change this around into a positive vision for the future. This change must start with us as consumers of products. As a society, we must support businesses that are making the right choices to reduce plastic. This will also encourage new companies to increase the innovation of the supply chain. (Decker, et al., 2014, pp 87-88) If we move from a linear model to the ‘cradle to cradle’ perspective, we will re-design products in new and creative ways after their effective life span ends. Additionally, as we move towards a sustainable future we must invest in the science needed to help our economy. If we allow artists, designers and scientists to work together, we can build interdisciplinary research methods around the subject. (Decker, et al., 2014, p89)
We can reduce, reuse and refuse plastic packaging whilst advocating the development to a circular economy. Say no to plastic bottles, packaging and bags whilst shopping. The environmental advantages to recycling are also obvious as it helps to reduce landfill waste, produces fewer greenhouse gases and recycled products can just as reliable as those made from new materials. (Decker, et al., 2014, pp 46-47)
The Government are starting to make effective changes in relation to plastic use. Scotland are to become the first nation to ban plastic straws after businesses such as Wetherspoons, Wagamamas and McDonalds’s are all trialling the replacement of paper straws. This topic has become a major talking point within the Scottish Government after the introduction in October 2015 to charge 5p for plastic bags. This proposal proved to be a success as the use of plastic bags has reduced by 85%. (Gabbatiss, 2017) Theresea May has also urged a new policy on plastic free aisles in supermarkets which is a goal she aims to achieve within the next twenty-five years. She aims to extend the plastic bag charge to other plastic uses such as takeaway boxes. However, many environmental groups have expressed their views stating that these ambitions need to be promoted by legal legislation. (Walker, 2018) There are many practical steps that the Government are taking to help tackle such a prominent issue and this can also be researched further as new proposals are made.
There is great scope for further exciting research within many areas of this broad topic. This will include specifically how the textile industry can reduce the use of plastic and what alternatives we can create as designers which will support the future to a circular economy. Many more artists and designers are expressing their powerful opinions on the topic; therefore, this area also needs further inquiry. Also, an interest lies in how microplastics are entering our food chains and how this can affect the human body in negative ways. In addition, more research is needed to investigate the link between oil consumption and plastic production. As new laws are introduced by the Government, there is potential for new research as the plastic pollution problem is at the forefront of global issues.
In conclusion, we must focus on human consumption, modern material uses and environmental change to reduce plastic waste in our oceans. The ocean has an influence on each of us in daily life. It provides us with the water we drink, the food we eat and the wildlife we adore. (Decker, et al., 2014, p92) Plastic has many positives and negative uses so we must learn to get the balance of production right. Many companies and brands are setting a positive example for the future and this is led by new government initiatives. We are all aware of the small steps we can take to engage with the challenges of marine pollution. We all assist in the problem therefore everyone can and must help solve it for our future generations. It will never be an easy task but with improved individual actions, industry leadership, design innovation and scientific change it can become a solvable problem. (Decker, et al., 2014, p118)
Reference List
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