How technology can help tackle the plastics pollution crisis

Retailers are under increasing pressure to cut down on unnecessary packaging, and some shops are showing what a plastic-free, tech-enabled future could look like. It's a sad fact that plastic debris in our oceans is killing marine wildlife at a staggering rate. With plastics pollution spiralling out of control, shops are under pressure to cut down on their use of unnecessary packaging. Some of the greatest culprits in generating harmful waste that often ends up in the oceans or landfill are cosmetics companies – just think about how many bottles and pots of shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, shower gels and other grooming products the average person keeps in their bathroom and it's easy to see how it very quickly adds up. The increased awareness of the problem among consumers means that this is a commercial opportunity for those offering environmentally friendly alternatives, however.