Plastic, on Its Way Out, or Token Environmentalism?

France to ban all plastic utensils for a greener future

© Gleb Garanich / Reuters

France has woken up to the dangers of plastic pollution, as the country makes the firm decision to outlaw all plastic kitchen utensils, opting instead for more ecologically-friendly, biologically-sourced materials.

The law, to take hold in 2020, is part of an initiative called Energy Transition for Green Growth, France’s contribution to the fight against climate change.

Plastic Pacific

Yes, that should do it! Eliminating plastic spoons should drop the global temperature by 3 degrees! Just kidding, of course, but plastic is made from petroleum so it would mean a need for less oil if plastic production can be significantly reduced globally. That won't make any discernible difference to the global temperature, but it might lower gas prices. On the other hand, reducing plastic might delay my plan to drive to Hawaii by 2030.

Not everyone in the EU, however, sees this as a favorable strategy, according to the Independent.

Manufacturers of plastic goods are understandably incensed over the law. Pack2Go, a Brussels-based organization representing European packaging producers, spoke to the Independent.

"We are urging the European Commission to do the right thing and to take legal action against France for infringing European law,” Pack2Go Secretary-General Eamonn Bates said. According to him, there is no proof that something biologically-sourced is safer for the environment.

Seriously, have you never heard the term 'biodegradable'? 

If anything, Bates says, the problem could be exacerbated. According to Bates, not everyone can tell biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste apart. “That’s nonsense!,” Bates added regarding France’s plan.

But France is not the only player trying to go green by cutting down on plastic. The state of Karnataka in India is another. In 2017, San Francisco, California outlawed the use of plastic shopping bags, and later did the same for plastic bottles in 2014, while Great Britain has a 5p charge on most plastic bags.