When the governor of the US state of Massachusetts said she would sign an executive order banning government purchases of single-use plastic (SUP) bottles, my first thought was, “How are they going to clean anything?”

Seriously, virtually all cleaning fluid in America that I saw growing up came in a throwaway plastic bottle, a situation confirmed during a recent trip there. (I do remember a few metal containers way back in the day.)

Here in Europe, some consumers can buy refill pouches to top up their favourite laundry soap or window spray, but I’ve never seen a major brand offer such products in the Land of the Free. Furthermore, I doubt the US industry is about to retool just because one state – especially one ranked 16th in population – decides to become the first to quit buying single-use bottles.

But while plastic pouches create much less waste than bottles, they are still plastic. For me, the more important question is one hounding the industry, and our civilisation: what does the consumer really want?

Sure, surveys say people would rather have less plastics packaging, and virtually everyone is worried about the increasing amount of waste in the oceans and microplastics permeating the planet so much that they can reportedly be found on Mt. Everest and in Antarctica. But what the polling about “evil” plastics is likely missing is presenting the alternatives should people want to end their reliance on the materials, and cleaning products seem like a good place to start. Here are a couple, perhaps overly wordy, survey questions: “Would you like to replace your light, virtually unbreakable spray bottle of tile scrubbing fluid with a glass container that weighs so much more and will fill your bathroom with shards which will slice up your kids’ feet should you drop it? Or would you like opaque metal that’s also heavy and will likely cost you so much more?”

We all know this goes far beyond just what’s under the sink. The iconic black and yellow Bic pen on my desk is not built to take a refill; neither are the company’s lighters. Plastic scrub brushes and sponges are one and done, as are a plethora of everyday products that have become indispensable to our lives. Or at least that’s what many of us have come to believe. 

Also, two airports in Los Angeles have banned water bottled in SUPs. Does this mean they will be selling returnables after baggage inspection? How many of those bottles will wind up in a different city or country?

As various parties argue about the effectiveness of mechanical and chemical recycling, or “advanced” recycling – those evil chemicals! – the transition away from throwaway plastics is proceeding with fits and starts. Why? Because of the consumer. Granted, companies generally play down the damage their products can cause, but there is enough information out there to let the buyer know what their choices are doing to the planet. 

And as long as we live in a capitalistic society, the customer is always right, even when they want to create more trash. And it is hard to find politicians willing to tell consumers – ie voters – that they are at least partially to blame for the current situation. That is no way to keep a job. 

Eric Culp
Editor-at-Large, Plasteurope.com