Plastics can be sustainable. In fact, you can make a pretty strong argument that plastics are a sustainable material. They save valuable resources, are recyclable, can be made from renewable feedstocks and can help mitigate climate change.
But when I see reports in other publications honoring individuals and companies for accomplishments in sustainability, it's often about phasing out plastics. Sometimes it's for replacing plastics with a ridiculous alternative that doesn't make sense at all.
For an obvious example, how about replacing plasticware on airlines with heavier metal products, with the excuse that plastic is hard to recycle or may end up as ocean plastic. Really?
Our Nov. 20 special report, on Notable Leaders in Sustainability, isn't going to honor those kinds of decisions. We're fine with strategies that reduce, reuse and recycle plastics, though, and for those doing important research and engineering to improve plastic products to make them more sustainable.