There are some easy solutions to reducing some of the blatant wastage caused by single-use plastic, with the ability to minimise the environmental damage it causes. This can be done by simply not using the plastic products which have clear alternatives, or are not even necessary, in the case of straws, stirrers, utensils, food service items and plastic bags for single drinks, as large brands like McDonald’s continue to do (only in Asia), serving them against the trend of governments in the region which are implementing taxes or bans of disposable plastics in order to reduce the community externalities.

The excuses companies give for using these items include cost, convenience, customer service, and hygiene protection. These rationales should no longer be used to justify transferring the cost of trash and ecosystem impacts to society, as there are many alternatives.

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