At the recent TedX Conference in Laguna Beach, California, Don Meek of A New Earth Project posed a thought-provoking question: "What if the global plastic pollution crisis is actually an opportunity?" This question lies at the heart of his passionate call to action, urging us to transform the looming dangers of plastic waste into a catalyst for positive change.
Meek opened by highlighting the staggering statistics that underscore the severity of the plastic pollution crisis. "We are producing 430 million metric tons of plastic every year, and this is estimated to triple over the next 25 years," he said. This growing production, coupled with inadequate waste management, leads to an alarming reality: "We are dumping one trash truck full of plastic into our global oceans every second of every day."
However, amidst these grim facts, Meek shared a vision of hope and opportunity. He introduced the concept of "Wei Ji," the Chinese word for crisis, which is composed of two characters meaning danger and opportunity. This perspective shift is crucial, as it encourages us to see the crisis not just as a threat, but as a chance to innovate and make meaningful changes.
He then ran down the positive momentum around local and global efforts underway to tackle this issue, from the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty discussions, and landmark Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation that's being phased in, to local efforts at the municipality level to create waste-aware cities.
Transitioning out of problematic single-use plastics is an idea that has broad global support, but it's going to take a huge amount of collaboration and innovation to pull off. Fortunately, that movement is well underway.
If you're a brand looking to make the switch to sustainable packaging, we at A New Earth Project are here to help you. Whether you're looking for a simple turnkey solution, a custom build, or a comprehensive packaging plan, our team of experts, backed by Atlantic Packaging's 80 years in the business, will break down the most pragmatic, cost-effective options available.
Email us to learn more: teams@anewearthproject.com