9042_doi_deposit
20210727100000
assa
nadiag@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
1996-7489
07292021
117
7/8
Environmentalism or greenwashing? Responses of South African value chain actors to plastic straw marine pollution
Takunda Y.
Chitaka
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
*Present address: DSI/NRF/CSIR Chair in Waste and Society, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1109-0593
The increasing global concern surrounding plastic marine pollution has placed a spotlight on the key items identified as major contributors. The subsequent public outcry has forced key value-chain actors – such as brand owners, retailers and restaurateurs – to be seen to be responding to the issue. However, are their responses motivated by a true desire for environmentalism or are actors engaging in greenwashing? In this case study on plastic straws, the brand owners and retailers interviewed are driven by a desire to meet consumer expectations. This desire has led to the substitution of plastic straws with glass, paper and polylactide alternatives. However, the broader environmental implications of the alternatives are rarely considered. This single-minded focus on marine pollution has the potential to result in inadvertent greenwashing as alternative products may result in more harm in other environmental compartments.
07292021
1
10.17159/sajs.2016/crossmark
sajs.co.za
false
2020-10-17
2021-04-08
2021-07-29
National Research Foundation of South Africa
116431
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
10.17159/sajs.2021/9042
20210727100000
https://sajs.co.za/article/view/9042
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