The issue with plastic is a failure of our market economy.

A market can only function if the price of an item reflects its actual (total ) costs.

And that is the case with most all plastic; it is cheap to manufacture and distribute, easy and convenient to use, but the disposal costs are high.

But the latter get socialized.

I am happy to live in a country where there is a mandatory deposit on most soft drink and beer bottles, and most plastic is recycled through a dual system of trash collection.

If the price of plastic starts to reflect its actual cost, then people will recycle or find alternatives.

Markets do not work properly unless they are well regulated, just like militias…