Reducing Plastic Pollution Through Product Management
Product managers are uniquely positioned at the intersection of innovation and responsibility. As product managers, we are the architects of tomorrow's solutions, crafting products that shape not only industries but also the world we live in.
We have a choice: whether to silently encourage ongoing plastic pollution, or whether to actively shift company practices towards reducing plastic waste.
After all, plastic pollution is one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. It poses a significant threat to our oceans, wildlife, and the health of our planet.
Consider the plastic pollution difference between work-from-home policies vs. return-to-office policies. Returning to the office causes significant plastic pollution:
Commuting to the office sheds microplastics from car tires
Single-serving refreshments in the office (e.g. water bottles, food wrappers) are unnecessary uses of plastic
Many of the single-use items in the office (e.g. screen wipes, visitor name tags) create waste that we wouldn’t otherwise generate at home
And, consider how the digitization & automation efforts of product managers across multiple industries help reduce plastic waste for customers:
Digitizing paper-based workflows means less ink and fewer plastic ink cartridges
Electronic signatures & notarization means that people don’t need to travel to a notary to sign in person
Moving customers away from on-prem infrastructure towards a cloud-based solution means fewer server racks with plastic components
Virtual “try-on” technology for clothing & accessories means that customers are less likely to return their orders, which means less plastic packaging overall
As product managers, we set the example for our executive leaders, our technical counterparts, and our customer-facing teams. Product managers should champion responsible corporate citizenship, driving change from within. After all, our influence extends far beyond the confines of boardrooms and product development teams; in fact, we drive change across customers, communities, and the environment.
At Product Teacher, we wholeheartedly embrace this role of leadership. We understand that responsible corporate citizenship is not a choice; it's an imperative. That's why we've committed ourselves to plastic pollution reduction. We believe that every product can be a force for positive change, and it is our responsibility as product managers to shape that change with unwavering drive.
First, let’s discuss the impact of plastic pollution and why product managers should care. Then, we’ll share Product Teacher’s commitments to reducing plastic pollution, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities. Finally, we discuss a broader strategy for stemming product pollution at its source.
The impact of plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is a global environmental crisis with far-reaching consequences that affect ecosystems, wildlife, human health, and the overall well-being of our planet. Two significant aspects of plastic pollution are the proliferation of single-use plastics and the prevalence of microplastics.
Single-use plastics
Single-use plastics are items designed for short-term use, often for just a few minutes, but they persist in the environment for centuries. Some of the most common single-use plastics include plastic bags, bottles, straws, and utensils. The problems caused by single-use plastics include:
a. Environmental Impact: These items are a major source of litter and pollution. They can be found littering streets, parks, beaches, and water bodies, posing threats to wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Marine animals often mistake plastic items for food, leading to ingestion and entanglement.
b. Resource Depletion: The production of single-use plastics consumes valuable fossil fuels and natural resources, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.
c. Waste Management Challenges: Disposing of single-use plastics is challenging. Many end up in landfills, where they do not biodegrade but rather break down into smaller, persistent microplastic particles.
Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5mm in size. They can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic items, but they are also intentionally added to products like cosmetics and cleaning supplies. The problems associated with microplastics include:
a. Ingestion by Marine Life: Microplastics are consumed by small marine organisms, which then enter the food chain. Ultimately, these particles can make their way into human diets through seafood consumption.
b. Toxicity and Chemical Leaching: Microplastics can absorb and transport harmful chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. When ingested by marine life, these toxins can accumulate in their tissues, potentially affecting human health.
c. Environmental Persistence: Microplastics do not readily break down, leading to long-term contamination of ecosystems. Their presence in soil and water bodies can disrupt ecological processes and affect the health of terrestrial and aquatic organisms.
d. Human Health Concerns: While research is ongoing, there are concerns that microplastics could have adverse health effects when ingested by humans. These particles are so pervasive that they have been found in drinking water, food, and even the air we breathe.
Our plastic waste management commitments at Product Teacher
At Product Teacher, we've always believed that education and innovation can shape a better future. We continue to commit ourselves to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible world. As a socially-conscious enterprise, we are taking concrete steps to combat plastic pollution and mitigate the effects of climate change.
We pledge to fund the removal of 100+ kilograms of plastic waste annually from the environment. This initiative is our way of contributing to a cleaner, healthier planet while setting an example for responsible corporate citizenship.
Here's how it works:
Fund Plastic Removal Initiatives: Product Teacher has partnered with organizations dedicated to collecting plastic waste and converting the waste into commercially-useful outputs.
Empower Communities: These efforts empower communities in developing regions, providing opportunities for individuals to earn significant income for collecting and recycling plastic waste, thereby improving their quality of life.
Measure Results: Our partners are committed to transparency and accountability. They carefully monitor and verify the amount of plastic removed through our contributions, ensuring that each kilogram of plastic is accounted for.
Specifically, we have decided to fund plastic collection efforts in Cambodia and Vietnam. We target abandoned plastic waste that would otherwise end up discharged in the ocean due to winds, rainfall, river flow, and tides. By doing so, we provide stable income to chronically underemployed & vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on providing economic opportunity to women who otherwise may not be able to achieve financial independence.
Our commitment to removing plastic from the world aligns with our mission to educate and empower product managers, as both create a better world for all to live in. As a socially-conscious enterprise, we believe in leading by example, and our investment in removing plastic waste reflects our dedication to a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.
That said, I’d like to take this opportunity to zoom out and consider the broader plastics industry as a whole.
Taking the lead in plastic waste collection
We echo concerns surrounding the potential misuse of “plastic credits,” a tradable asset that quantifies the successful collection of plastic waste from the environment. Many environmentalists have accurately flagged that plastic credits may provide a shield for continued plastic production, giving the impression that plastic can be produced without consequences as long as it's "balanced out" with credits.
All plastic is derived from fossil fuels, and therefore all plastic imposes adverse impacts throughout its entire life cycle. We should never justify continued plastics production.
The extraction of oil and gas can lead to air and groundwater pollution, directly affecting the well-being of nearby communities. The manufacturing process often results in additional pollution, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities and communities of color. Furthermore, plastic products on store shelves have the potential to release toxic chemicals into the food and beverages we consume, posing a threat to public health.
At Product Teacher, we firmly believe that addressing the root of the issue is paramount. Reducing plastic production at the source should be the number one priority.
However, we also believe that this shouldn't be an "either/or" scenario. It's a complex challenge, and simplifying it into a false dichotomy only allows those perpetuating pollution to thrive, exploiting the ambiguity in the process.
We wholeheartedly advocate for governments to enact comprehensive regulations, taxes, and restrictions on plastic production, but we recognize that these changes may take years to come to fruition.
The urgency of the plastic crisis demands immediate action. Therefore, we have chosen to lead by example. Our commitment to funding plastic waste collection infrastructure is a proactive step towards mitigating the impact of existing plastic pollution, even as we work towards a world with reduced plastic production.
We recognize that our efforts are imperfect and will never singlehandedly shift the regulatory environment for plastics. Even so, we believe that doing something is better than doing nothing at all.
How you can help
We believe that as product managers, we can collectively drive positive change.
Here are three ways to get involved:
1. Engage with Your CSR / ESG Leaders: Within your own company, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) leaders play a crucial role in shaping the organization's sustainability initiatives. As a product manager, you have the opportunity to apply pressure and advocate for ethical and sustainable practices. Engage with your CSR / ESG leaders, share your insights, and work collaboratively to drive change from within.
2. Demand Action from Local Government Representatives: Meaningful change often requires a combination of grassroots efforts and top-down policies. Take a proactive stance by reaching out to your local government representatives and demanding action on plastic pollution and environmental issues. Encourage them to enact regulations, taxes, and restrictions on plastic production. While these changes may take time, your voice can contribute to the momentum needed to push these initiatives forward.
3. Leverage Our Guides and Resources: Product Teacher offers a range of resources to support product managers and maximize their impact; this includes integrating ethical considerations into product development processes. Whether you're looking to reduce waste, improve sustainability, or amplify the positive social impact of your products, our frameworks can help you take tangible next steps.
Together, we can create a world where ethical products are the norm, and sustainability is at the forefront of our business practices.
