Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Other Plastic Rhetoric: Examining the Influence of Environmental Rhetoric on Plastic Governance in Canada

Abstract

As the plastic crisis has emerged as a prominent environmental issue, among others like climate change and biodiversity loss, it has become increasingly important to examine current models of plastic governance. Studying plastic governance provides opportunities to better understand, challenge and hopefully improve upon the landscape of governance within the plastic crisis. For the purposes of this paper, plastic governance is defined as the management and regulation of plastic throughout its life cycle, from production to disposal. The plastic crisis has complex socio-political and ecological dimensions that shape both plastic's problems and potential solutions. Environmental rhetoric surrounding plastic and plastic governance fosters, as well as exemplifies, the dynamic human and ecological dimensions at play in the plastic crisis. For example, the prominence of rhetoric like "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle" and recycling generally demonstrate the creation and reinforcement of waste management and consumer responsibility as the main problems and solutions within plastic governance. Focusing on Canada and the recent announcement of a national ban on single-use plastic, I explore the impacts of environmental rhetoric on the existing and developing governance landscape for plastic. By examining the use of or appeal to environmental rhetoric among state, corporate and civil actors in Canada, I apply concepts from the social science theories of critical political ecology and constructivism in order to gain a deeper understanding of the political and ecological dimensions of the plastic crisis and governance. In particular, I examine the ways in which the coproduction of science and politics informs the characterization of the plastic crisis itself as well as any potential solutions. By studying how rhetoric shapes the problems and solutions we see and emphasize, I will identify and explore norms and gaps within governance throughout plastic’s life cycle. As well, I consider rhetoric surrounding the actors within the plastic crisis and examine how identity and perception play a role in plastic governance. This research allows for deeper critique of plastic policies or initiatives in order to provide potential recommendations for advancing environmental sustainability in Canada.