Many people follow a vegan lifestyle to try to live in a more conscious, compassionate and ecologically friendly way. Numerous studies have proven that average vegan diets have a far lower ecological impact than those that include meat, fish, or other animal products.
However, the effect that we have on the ecosystem extends beyond what we put on our plates. Plastics have become an integral part of modern life, and in this article, we’ll take a look at the questions that arise with plastic use and vegan principles.
Plastic is an incredibly durable material, and this is why it is so widely used. 350 million tonnes of plastic is produced annually by the global plastics industry, with large amounts of this ending up in our waterways, destroying wildlife and habitat, and causing untold pollution for generations to come.
Let’s look at some of the crossovers between veganism and plastic use.
Key Takeaways
What Is Plastic & How Is Plastic Made?
Plastic is made from petrochemicals derived from crude oil and natural gas which are extracted from deep in the earth. The plastic produced is then refined into various parts which undergo chemical reactions to become organic polymers with the addition of certain additives, depending on the type of plastic products being made.
Plastic production relies heavily on the use of fossil fuels, which contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Plastics account for 3.4% of global carbon emissions, which is expected to increase as production grows. However, plastic production is not the only culprit, as the use and disposal of plastic has a significantly large carbon footprint.
Veganism and Plastic Pollution
Vegans are primarily concerned with not consuming animal products, or using animal life for any end.
Life has value in itself and consequently, living beings aren’t viewed as resources to be exploited. Vegans are concerned with living a more holistic lifestyle and tend to prefer products or produce with minimal packaging, or packaging that is biodegradable.
Aside from the additives that sometimes may be derived from animals, whether plastic is vegan is often not considered as its immediate production causes no harm to animals.
However, once discarded, the plastic more often than not ends up in a landfill or in the oceans, where it can wreak havoc on the environment for hundreds of years.
It’s been estimated that at the current rate of use, there’ll be more plastic by weight than fish in the seas by 2050.
Non-Vegan Plastic Additives
Many conventional and biodegradable plastics have additives that are derived from animals.
One such additive is stearic acid, which is used as a stabilizer and or lubricant to reduce static and friction. Stearic acid comes from animal fats, although plant-based alternatives are also used. It is common in plastic bags.
Gelatin is often used in biodegradable plastics which itself comes from animal bones and collagen.
Animal Testing
Many plastics and other synthetic materials are tested on animals, which is incompatible with vegan principles.
Many common household and personal care items may contain animal-derived ingredients or be tested on animals.
Be sure to look for vegan and cruelty-free products from trusted companies to ensure your choices align with your values.
Animal Testing
Microplastics and Plastic Waste
The main problem with fully synthetic plastic is that it doesn't fully break down, and so it disrupts the ecosystem for hundreds or even thousands of years.
Most plastic that's created, such as plastic bottles, food containers and food packaging, as well as other plastic items, will end up in the world's oceans. This is where it breaks down into smaller and smaller plastic particles, known as microplastics which can be ingested by sea-dwelling creatures.
Humans who ingest these animals are then themselves also ingesting these microplastics, which can wreak havoc on human health.
Being a new phenomenon, the long-term health effects of micro plastic waste generation are still unknown and not fully understood.
Microplastics and plastic debris are also found in drinking water and agricultural products, meaning almost no one is safe from the problem.
The Problem For Vegans
Whether you follow a vegan lifestyle for ethical, health or environmental reasons, plastic poses a problem. Plastics can destroy habitats, killing organisms throughout the food chain.
This has ethical, health and environmental implications, meaning whatever your main cause for concern, plastic use should be considered a vegan concern.
The Alternatives?
Everybody knows the common phrase, 'reduce, reuse and recycle,' because plastic recycling is good advice! Plant-based alternatives to plastics, which are made from renewable materials, are constantly being developed.
Bio-plastic packaging, for instance, are made from renewable plant-based materials such as corn starch, cellulose and sugarcane, amongst other materials. Consider using certified sustainable companies and only endorsing vegan and cruelty-free recycled plastics wherever possible.
Whilst this may seem impossible and fanciful currently, it is not beyond reach with time. As ecological concerns are becoming more prevalent, the further use and development of compostable food wrappers will only increase.
Many vegans, especially those primarily with health concerns favor plant-based whole foods, which use less packaging and require less processing than alternatives. Buying at bulk stores can help reduce your plastic consumption. However, completely eliminating plastic use is virtually impossible nowadays unless you are fully food and self-sufficient. Doing your best is always good enough.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Veganism is intricately tied to ecological concerns, and the plastic crisis arising from global plastic production that we are currently witnessing is a worrying one. Plastics break down into smaller pieces known as microplastics which infiltrate water sources, soil and food sources.
This causes untold ecological chaos as well as being a health hazard. On top of this, many plastics can have non-vegan additives and are tested on animals, making them incompatible for those aiming to follow a vegan lifestyle.
