Paper biodegrades and can potentially be composted. If our ocean started filling with paper, existing biological systems would be able to address it. Metal and

Paper biodegrades and can potentially be composted. If our ocean started filling with paper, existing biological systems would be able to address it. Metal and glass are reusable many, many more times than plastic and are sterilizable with heat. Both metal and glass are recyclable or inert in the environment. If a bottle ends up in the ocean it eventually becomes sand again. None of the above require oil to be produced. I'm not saying plastic has no upsides, I'm saying other options exist that specifically address the downsides of plastic. With materials we are always making trade offs.