One Nation Over Plastic

The Vision

Making sustainable packaging accessible for all

We’re underwhelmed by plastic – to say the least. The future of takeout will be a mix of reusable and sustainable one-time-use containers with fines for the one-time-use products similar to existing bag or straw taxes.

This means we need a combination of business, policy, and design solutions to achieve this outcome. This is no easy undertaking, but that’s where “One Nation Over Plastic” comes in. One Nation Over Plastic will advocate for these solutions at the local level while facilitating the change in mom-and-pop restaurants for a smoother transition.

Sustainable

First and foremost we must reduce the waste we're sending to landfills. With COVID-19 increasing the need for take-out solutions, it's important that we invest in planet-based solutions for our current problems.

Accessible

It's important that sustainable doesn't mean elite. This must be as economically advantageous for the mom-and-pop restaurants and consumers as it is good for the environment. Creating tiered cost-sharing can help with this.

Scalable

This must be a replicable and flexible model that works outside of city centers and adapts to the transportation systems, infrastructure, and cultures in different regions.

The Consideration

Mother Nature Knows Best

Product design is an important environmental consideration. In this model, circular reusable containers are prioritized. It’s important that these containers be long-lasting for a number of uses and recyclable (in a market that truly wants that material) when they’re no longer up to the job.

As for the compostable elements, there are a number of high-quality options that compost in municipal facilities. The process of disposal and decomposition are important considerations during the product’s creation. There are levels of sustainability of all products. There are virgin compostables such as bamboo silverware, cardboard straws, and palm leaf compression plates that are created from first-time-use materials. Then there are recycled compostables like those that use mycelium to bring organic agriculture byproducts together to create containers. These are ideal because they extend the use and life of what might otherwise be waste.

Unfortunately, high-quality reusables and compostables are currently more expensive in most cases. It’s important to us not to decrease sustainability due to cost. To reduce the cost, high-quality reusables and compostables would be purchased in bulk for One Nation Over Plastic restaurants as a type of cost-sharing. 

The Plan of Action

How we can achieve this vision of the future

More questions? Drop us a line at onenationoverplastic@gmail.com

About The Artist

Monica Dang

Monica Dang

Digital marketer passionate about sustainability and the ways we relate to the evolving world today (and tomorrow). Always curious and looking to expand her mind.

About The Author

See
more

ajax-loader