The Earth.Org interview with Prof. Richard Thompson offers a thoughtful look at why design matters so much in the fight against plastic pollution. Rather than treating pollution only as a waste problem to be cleaned up, Thompson argues that we need to rethink how plastics are created in the first place. Central to his perspective is the idea that plastics should meet essentiality, safety and sustainability criteria, meaning they are only produced when truly needed and designed so they are safer for people and the environment.
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is the example he uses about tires. These products are hard to replace and widely used, yet they shed huge amounts of microplastics as they wear down. By redesigning items like these to reduce shedding and improve longevity, we could cut a significant source of microplastic pollution.
Professor Thompson also touches on how hard it can be to get global agreement on rules for plastics. He points out that while many countries want action, aligning around detailed criteria will take concerted effort.
Overall, the interview reminds us that preventing pollution at the source through better design is a crucial part of systemic solutions. Too often the focus is on end-of-life waste management. Thompson’s perspective encourages us to expand our thinking and use design as a tool to reduce harm before it happens.
With over 100 nations showing shared ambition for regulating plastic pollution, marine scientist Richard Thompson OBE from the University of Plymouth discusses how essentiality, safety and sustainability criteria could transform plastic production and pave the way for slowing down plastic pollution. This approach would ensure only plastics that are essential, safe to humans and the environment, and sustainably designed for end-of-life management are produced. In an interview with Earth.Org, Thompson explores the urgent need for such criteria.
unknownx500
