From the plastic utensils provided with take-out meals to the water bottles we purchase when we’re thirsty and dispose of once we’re done with them. Single-use plastic is everywhere, deeply ingrained into our daily routines, and yet they are so quickly disposed of that it hardly even crosses our minds. Single-use plastic products are primarily composed of petrochemicals, which are derived from fossil fuels, and are intended for immediate disposal after use. These plastics are typically utilized in disposable items such as bottles, wrappers, straws, and bags. Single-use plastics highlight our society’s tendency to opt for convenience, disregarding the long-term consequences. Instead of investing in quality products that can be repeatedly used and are made to last, our dependency on disposable plastic products has resulted in an alarming accumulation of waste. The United Nations Environment Program reports that globally, we generate 300 million tons of plastic annually, half of which can be attributed to single-use plastic products.
Reducing plastic consumption is the most effective way to reduce this waste and the carbon footprint associated with plastic production. As a result, an influx of single-use plastic bans are being enacted all over the country and the world. Cities like Malibu, Seattle, and Miami Beach have outlawed plastic straws, while Connecticut, California, New York, and Vermont are among the states that have banned plastic bags. California has seen a 70% reduction in plastic bag usage since implementing its plastic bag ban in 2014. These single-use plastic bans help to significantly cut down on the amount of waste that reaches landfills each year and reduce the need for plastic production that contributes to global climate change. Additionally, it compels companies to reconsider their product designs and opt for more sustainable materials. Consumers are also encouraged to rethink their daily habits and abandon the throwaway culture our society is so accustomed to.
The adoption of single-use plastic bans are a crucial step towards moderating environmental impact and promoting sustainability. With the potential to prevent tons of plastic waste annually, reduce pollution, and shift societal attitudes toward responsible consumption, implementing these strategies at Penn State is imperative. Single-use plastic is everywhere in our community, from the take-out boxes from the dining hall to the plastic straws in our drinks from downtown. By taking a proactive approach to this pressing issue, Penn State has the opportunity to enact positive change in our community and contribute to a more sustainable planet for future generations.
Outline:
- Introduction
- 1st paragraph
- More about the issue and why it’s a problem
- More data/statistics and such
- 2nd paragraph
- Places/businesses that have implemented single-use plastic bans
- What worked well and what were the issues posed by this
- 3rd paragraph
- Alternative solutions to single-use plastic products
- New technology/innovations that can remedy this issue
- 4th paragraph
- The recommendation for what Penn State should do
- Conclusion
Identify and discuss the organizational pattern (or the closest one to it) from the Arranging a Policy Speech Keyword. Is this a good structure for the topic and policy arguments? Make some comments or suggestions.
It seems like the organizational patter is Problem/Existing Plan/Counterplan. I think this is a great way to organize the Issue Brief, especially since many laws and rules have already been implemented in society for single use plastics. This way you can examine the shortcomings of these laws/rules and mend them for a successful action. I do think you could make the intro a bit shorter and leave some out, just because the first paragraph may sound redundant since I think you explained the issue good already.
Do the topic sentences point back to the thesis and/or make the argumentative claim for the paragraph? Give one strong example or one example of a sentence that could be improved.
I think so, I mean I understood the point that the introduction was trying to get across. However, I think the thesis is hiding or is really broad since it just states for Penn State to take action. As far as the strong example I think the whole first paragraph is great.
How is the evidence working as of now? Do we need more research? Where in the paper would more evidence (and what kinds of evidence) be helpful?
It does not appear like there is much evidence in the actual outline, but I think the evidence in the introduction works good. It gets the job done, and doesn’t overpower the actual message you are trying to get across.
How are the infographs working? If there are no infographs yet, please provide ideas for them.
No infographics yet. But I think adding plastic an infographic in the rise of single use plastic over the years. Especially since plastic began getting popular after WW2. It would help to see how much single use has become an increasing problem. Or you could add an infographic about the types of pollution, that shows single use plastic as the number one contributor.