Although recycling is vital, it is not enough. The main problem is that contemporary consumer republics are predicated upon the unsustainable principle of unfettered growth and expansion. In a biosphere comprised of finite natural resources, this kind of thinking is myopic and ecocidal.

Thanks Keith Moser I agree with you. The neo-liberal system made greedily. We need to reverse this unequal system, fulfil our obligations, improve the health of all communities (both human and non-human) and prevent and mitigate ecological damage. The question is how to enforce corporate business responsibility?

The answer to your question is no, what the world is doing right now in recycling is not enough. New research published in Science shows that even if governments around the world adhere to their global commitments to address plastic pollution, and all others join in these efforts, in 2030 we will still emit between 20 million and 53 million tonnes of plastic waste into the world’s aquatic ecosystems. Global commitments do not match the scale of the problem — we need to rethink our strategy and adopt joint policies to increase the current recycling level and reduce the production and use of plastics in our daily lives.

Thanks Jorge Morales Pedraza for your comment. I agree with you; however, how to do it. There have been many conversations going on in the last few years but, there are limited actions. Who should start actions and how?

The governments and the industry's first action is to reduce plastic production and use another recycling type of materials for the same purpose. The second action to be taken by governments and the industry is to increase the recycling industry and the recycling level registered in each country.

The third action to be adopted is to increase the populations' awareness of recycling plastic's benefits instead of through it into the sea, rivers, or on the Earth.

Unfortunately recycling is not enough ! Collegues above gave good answers.. We have to rethink of our global strategies ! It is hard but it is also possible to reduce pollution, especially the one provoked by plastic waste.

Thanks Mohamed Ben-Haddad for your comment. We need to solvent in our food security and local community-led solutions.

Exactly, we need this spirit to be educated in primary schools to rise a generation with "High Consciousness"! At least, to control the current state and give concrete alternatives TO ADAPT !

Thanks Mohamed Ben-Haddad Yes, right education is an important point, only state institution can provide this opportunity. The question is: who will make sure if a state is doing its responsibilities?

Yes Mr. Ranjan. At least, to do our role as we are scientists, we must publish articles about environmental education, how much our school programs containing this demanded spirit ! Maybe, we could make some pressure on our authorities...

Recycling is without a doubt crucial, but not enough to solve the problem with the growing amounts of single-use plastic.

In this context, we analyzed the voluntary commitments of ten global consumer goods manufacturers and discovered that measures of reduction and reuse single-use plastic are mostly associated with recycling. In other words, companies talk in public about a circular economy while implementing a recycling economy. As a result, ambitious measures to mitigate the plastics crisis could be hindered.

Article Corporate Self-Commitments to Mitigate the Global Plastic Cr...