Artificial intelligence : a critique of our plastic consumption

In this modern age of convenience, we interact with many different types of plastic every day, including microplastics. Microplastics are tiny particles of broken-down plastic. A recent study suggests that people ingest about a credit card’s worth of microplastics each week, which doesn’t even include microplastic exposure through inhalation and direct skin contact.

By design, most consumers are unaware of the reproductive, digestive, respiratory, nervous, immune, and environmental impacts of plastic production and packaging. In addition, the labeling on plastic packages is misleading: the recycling logos on the bottom imply consumers can recycle them, which rarely happens, and there are no federal regulations mandating that companies disclose the level of microplastic contamination in their products. These labeling problems prevent consumers from making informed decisions about whether to buy a product packaged in plastic.

I suggest ways to remedy these labeling problems through graphic design to educate consumers about the extent of microplastic contamination in the products they buy. These proposed labels reveal the hidden dangers of microplastics on human health, animal health, and the environment while providing accurate information about the packaging’s recyclability and proper disposal.