7 things that need to change in production to reduce plastic pollution

Recycling and waste collection play an important role in the fight against plastic pollution. However, the impact of plastics on the environment begins long before the products turn into waste. The chemicals used, the durability of the product, the particles released during use, and the options after its lifetime determine the extent of this effect.

Oceanographer Prof from Plymouth University. Dr. In his interview with Earth.Org in October 2025, Richard Thompson points out that production and design processes need to be reconsidered to reduce plastic pollution.

There are three criteria at the core of this approach: Necessity, security and sustainability.

Is every plastic product really necessary?

Plastics undertake important functions in many areas such as health, transportation, agriculture and food safety. However, not all plastic products are equally necessary.

For example, alternative materials can be used instead of plastic microbeads in cosmetic products. Products such as vehicle tires play a critical role in current transportation systems.

Decisions to reduce plastic use should take into account the need the product meets and the availability of suitable alternatives.

Pollution during use can be reduced

Plastic pollution does not only come from waste. Some products release small particles into the environment during use.

Vehicle tires are one of the important examples of this. Tires wear out as they come into contact with the road surface, and the resulting particles are carried to the environment by air and rainwater.

Developing tires that wear less and can be used for longer periods of time can reduce the release of these particles into the environment. However, road safety, performance and environmental impacts should be evaluated together in design changes.

Chemical safety is important during the production phase

Plastic products contain chemical additives that give them different properties. While these substances increase durability or flexibility, some may pose risks to human health and the environment.

Scientists recommend examining risky chemicals together with substances with similar structures. This approach can help avoid substituting a restricted chemical for another that poses similar risks.

Decisions regarding chemical safety should be based on scientific evaluation and reliable testing methods.

Recycling starts with product design

Just because a plastic product is technically recyclable does not necessarily mean that it will be recycled at the end of its life.

Recycling requires appropriate collection, separation and processing infrastructure. These opportunities vary between countries and regions.

Developing products that contain fewer materials and can be easily separated can facilitate recycling processes. Manufacturers should also take into account the waste management conditions of the region where the product will be used.

Biobased and biodegradable plastics are not always environmentally friendly

Materials developed as alternatives to traditional plastics have the potential to reduce environmental impacts. However, the properties of these materials differ from each other.

Biobased plastics are produced from renewable biological resources. This feature does not mean that they will break down easily in nature.

The degradation of biodegradable plastics depends on the structure of the material and the conditions of the environment. Special facilities may be required for some products to decompose under suitable conditions.

To understand whether one material is more sustainable than another, its entire life cycle, from production to post-use, must be evaluated.

Common safety and design standards are needed

Plastic products are produced, used and turned into waste in different countries. Therefore, national regulations alone may not be sufficient to combat global plastic pollution.

Developing common criteria at the international level could enable more consistent assessment of the chemical safety and environmental impacts of products.

In this context, it is recommended to group risky chemicals, create schedules to reduce the use of certain substances, and take into account the different needs of sectors. Independent scientific evaluations and joint testing-labeling systems can also support this process.

These recommendations are not binding rules agreed upon by all countries. They are among the policy options being considered in the fight against plastic pollution.

The lifespan of products can be extended

The circular economy aims to use products and materials for as long as possible.

However, whether a product is durable, repairable or reusable largely depends on the decisions made at the design stage.

Developing products that can be easily disassembled, repaired and replaced can reduce the need for new raw materials and waste generation.

Fighting plastic pollution is not limited to just increasing recycling capacity. It is also necessary to develop longer-lasting products.

Fighting plastic pollution should start from production

These seven approaches show that reducing plastic pollution doesn't just depend on waste collection and recycling efforts.

Reducing unnecessary plastic use, producing necessary products with safer materials, and pre-planning post-use processes complement each other.

One of the real opportunities in the fight against plastic pollution is to design products from the beginning that will create less waste and pollution, as well as managing products that turn into waste.