Chris - thanks for your comment. The plastic problem is so overwhelming it almost seems intractable. Plastic's momentum is strong. And it's hard to fathom how less developed countries will handle this problem if many of the most established powers are recycling nowhere near 100% of their plastic.
Having experienced the stench of burning plastic many times while poolside at my Airbnb in Ghana, and seeing the road littered with black plastic shopping bags and water sachet bags (https://theconversation.com/water-sachet-use-in-ghana-how-to-stop-the-pollution-129382), I can attest that plastic pollution *even in residential areas* is a massive problem in Africa and elsewhere. Kenya actually banned plastic bags several years ago, with mixed results (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-49421885). But there are lots of innovators in the space: see e.g. in India: https://youtu.be/1-tS7JH4Jyw
I personally think plastic is a massive issue with household waste in America. Very difficult to avoid. But encouraging to see big brands like Tide creating slightly more eco-friendly packaging (as least, fewer plastics) https://www.amazon.com/Tide-Laundry-Detergent-Eco-Box-Original/dp/B072M3HHMX.
Chris - thanks for your comment. The plastic problem is so overwhelming it almost seems intractable. Plastic's momentum is strong. And it's hard to fathom how less developed countries will handle this problem if many of the most established powers are recycling nowhere near 100% of their plastic.