There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: Plastic and Life

Plastic plays a large role in our daily lives. Used to make household supplies such as cups, plates, and eating utensils, plastic helps to make basic life happenings more efficient: it helps to decrease the amount of dishes we have to clean. Besides the common household uses, plastic is also widely used in heavy architectural and mechanic processes because of its weight, strength, versatility, and price characteristics. Overall, the features and advantages that plastic provides, offers many positive impacts in our personal and industrial lives. However, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”. This idiom accurately represents the effects of plastic and its uses; everything comes with a price. Regardless of the positive ramifications it has, plastic has been damaging our environment. Because of the toxic chemicals it releases under certain circumstances it pollutes the air, which then results in multiple health concerns. Also because it is not easy to dispose of, plastic can end up in places where the lives of animals could be in danger. In lieu of the inevitable usage of plastic despite its demerits, ecologists have found ways to lessen the harmful impact: recycling, reducing and reusing. By using plastic with a wiser approach, we can enjoy the benefits of using it and help to prevent toxic emissions from increasing at a faster rate.

Although these dangers can be overlooked because of the emphasized advantages, it does not change the fact that it comes with a price. And in a way, this is similar to the rollercoaster we call life. Many “good things” in life come with a price, whether it is the suffering that was endured to get there or the pain/fear of it coming to an end. Not every circumstance comes or goes easily, but because of the low points that we encounter throughout our lifetime we are able to further cherish and appreciate the higher points. Just like the way plastic is flexible and durable, so should the way we confront life’s obstacles. By making wise choices – although that will not eliminate all the hardships that we will have to undergo – we can lower the number of times that we will have to bear the painful consequences life has to offer. Accepting the fact that difficulties are certain allows us to appreciate and savor the jubilant moments, after all, there’s no such thing as free lunch.