Single-use plastics, like water bottles and packaging, remain ubiquitous despite their devastating environmental consequences. These materials are not only unnecessary in many cases but actively harmful, persisting in ecosystems for centuries. The answer to why they still dominate our daily lives lies not in individual consumption but in systemic, economic forces that prioritize short-term profits over planetary health.

Globally, we produce over 400 million tons of plastic annually, and less than 10% of it is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, or the environment, where it breaks down into microplastics that contaminate water, soil, and even the food we eat. Single-use plastic water bottles alone contribute to the consumption of over 1 million bottles every minute, most of which are discarded after mere moments of use.

The root of the problem is the oil and gas industry, which underpins plastic production. Single-use plastics are a byproduct of fossil fuels, and their production is heavily subsidized. In 2022, global subsidies for fossil fuels reached $7 trillion, artificially lowering the cost of plastics and incentivizing their overproduction. If the true cost of plastic—including its disposal, environmental cleanup, and impact on public health—were factored in, these materials would be prohibitively expensive. Instead, governments worldwide continue to subsidize fossil fuels, ensuring that the cycle of cheap plastic persists.

Corporations benefit enormously from this system, using plastics to maximize profit margins while externalizing environmental costs. Politicians, too often beholden to these industries, lack the political will to challenge the status quo. Sovereign states play a key role in perpetuating this crisis, either through direct subsidies or through failing to enforce regulations that could phase out single-use plastics.

What’s most frustrating is that alternatives already exist—reusable bottles, compostable materials, and refill systems could replace much of this waste. Yet, these solutions struggle to gain traction in a market rigged to favor plastic production.

This is not a problem of consumer habits but of entrenched, systemic dysfunction. Ending the reign of single-use plastics demands an overhaul of economic policies, including the elimination of subsidies for fossil fuels and investments in sustainable alternatives. The current system may benefit a few powerful industries, but it leaves a trail of destruction for ecosystems and communities worldwide. True change requires holding corporations and governments accountable, ensuring that the costs of convenience don’t bankrupt the planet.