What is the most effective approach to mitigate the global plastic waste crisis while ensuring corporate responsibility?

The most effective way to tackle plastic waste is to combine strong government rules with businesses taking real ownership of their products. First, governments must set clear limits on single‑use plastics and require companies to design items that can be reused, recycled, or safely biodegraded, while also investing in recycling infrastructure. Second, firms should adopt a “take‑back” system that recovers used products and pays consumers for returning them, turning waste into a revenue source. For example, a beverage company could offer a discount on future purchases when customers return plastic bottles, and then recycle those bottles into new packaging. When companies pay for the entire lifecycle—from production to disposal—they align profit with environmental health, creating a sustainable loop that reduces global waste.