This merely puts the plastic pollution somewhere else (into a dump near the ocean most likely), so it doesn’t really save anything.
The problem is still the production of the materials in the first place.
The problem is still the production of the materials in the first place.
Putting plastic in a dump is much better than letting it kill animal after animal, decomposing into smaller pieces and getting into the food chain.
Ideally we design most plastics out, but barring that recycling would be fine - and just burying it is still much better than either burning or letting it drift into oceans.
I know it seems small, but it has a downgrading effect on conversation. Also, it often doesn't seem small to the person being addressed that way (or some other readers who happen upon it).
But wouldn't you rather have all this garbage collected somewhere, than scattered throughout the river and beyond?