Brilliantly conceived of course, but how problematic is it really to dampen a washable dishcloth with some detergent? Because besides being super handy, these damp disposable cloths are mainly polluting the environment, causing blockages and are expensive. In short, it creates more problems than it solves.
The disposable wet wipe is not the only (unnecessary) product that contains (unnecessary) plastic and thus causes damage to people and the environment. Coffee cups (even the paper variety with a plastic coating on the inside), straws, water bottles, disposable tableware and plastic bags also leave a significant mark on the global waste mountain. And while in Europe we have had the Single-Use Plastic Directive since 2021, which bans or taxes these forms of disposable plastic[1], Donald Trump is calling in 2025 for the ban on plastic straws to be reversed. This seems like a major setback for all the efforts made in recent years.
At The Plastic Soup Foundation, we do not expect things to go that far. In recent years, the industry has implemented all kinds of innovations to comply with new laws and regulations, and one statement from Trump will not immediately cause a turnaround. Of course, we can do something – regardless of the policy in the United States. By being aware of the dangers of plastic and challenging ourselves to buy as little plastic as possible, we can reduce the global demand for plastic products and force the industry to change course for good. Like a plastic vegetarian: a flexitarian for plastic. We won't banish plastic from our lives completely, but we will do our best.
Would you like to do your best to buy as little plastic as possible, but you're not sure what to look out for? Go on the Plastic Diet or download the My Little Plastic Footprint app for tips and tricks. Want to know if a product contains microplastic? Scan the product with the Beat The Microbead app. Also keep an eye on the app store for our new app, which will be launched soon.
Rynaldo Koerhuis
Rynaldo Koerhuis (1995) advises, sells and writes. He writes a blog for The Plastic Soup Foundation twice a month on a current topic.
