{"version":1,"tree":{"n":"html","c":[{"n":"head","x":"\n ","l":"\n ","c":[{"n":"title","x":"Desconocido","l":"\n \n "},{"n":"link","l":"\n","a":[["rel","stylesheet"],["type","text/css"],["href","../../stylesheet.css"]]},{"n":"link","l":"\n","a":[["rel","stylesheet"],["type","text/css"],["href","../../page_styles.css"]]}]},{"n":"body","a":[["class","calibre"]],"c":[{"n":"div","x":"| ","a":[["class","calibre_navbar"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"Siguiente","l":" | ","a":[["href","javascript:void(0)"],["rel","articlenextlink"],["data-xQvX3JSyyUS4yAvbblzwf5","{\"name\": \"feed_3/index_u49.html\", \"frag\": \"\"}"]]},{"n":"a","x":"Menú de sección","l":" | ","a":[["href","javascript:void(0)"],["data-xQvX3JSyyUS4yAvbblzwf5","{\"name\": \"feed_2/index_u48.html\", \"frag\": \"article_0\"}"]]},{"n":"a","x":"Menú principal","l":" | ","a":[["href","javascript:void(0)"],["data-xQvX3JSyyUS4yAvbblzwf5","{\"name\": \"index_u63.html\", \"frag\": \"feed_2\"}"]]},{"n":"hr","l":"\n","a":[["class","calibre6"]]}]},{"n":"div","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]],"c":[{"n":"div","x":"A selection of correspondence","a":[["class","calibre8"]]},{"n":"h1","x":"Are plastics greener than they seem?","a":[["class","calibre9"]]},{"n":"div","x":"Also this week, birthright citizenship, Donald Trump’s economics, liberation theology, company lunches","a":[["class","calibre19"]]},{"n":"p","x":"may. 08, 2025 01:49 ","a":[["class","calibre10"]]},{"n":"div","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]],"c":[{"n":"img","a":[["src","images/img1_u42.jpg"],["title","This illustration depicts the Grim Reaper holding a red-and-white striped plastic straw instead of a scythe, symbolizing death being used as or acting as a gatekeeper."],["class","calibre3"],["data-calibre-src","feed_2/article_0/images/img1_u42.jpg"]]}]},{"n":"div","a":[["class","calibre11"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"b","x":"Letters are welcome via e-mail to ","a":[["class","calibre13"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"letters@economist.com","a":[["href","mailto:letters@economist.com"],["target","_blank"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"b","a":[["class","calibre13"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"Find out more","l":" about how we process your letters","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/letters/2025/03/26/a-note-for-readers"],["target","_blank"]]}]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"The problem with plastics","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"The claim that “","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"Plastics are greener than they seem","l":"” (April 19th) oversimplifies the reality that plastics vary widely in their composition and impact and many are significantly more harmful than they appear. Some plastics may be lightweight, reusable or recyclable. Many others, including polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and certain types of polyethylene, contain toxic monomers and additives that leach out of products and waste, posing serious risks to both human and environmental health. In addition, not all plastics are created equal and a number of factors hinder their “circularity” of use in an economy, for example.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/international/2025/04/16/plastics-are-greener-than-they-seem"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"We know a lot about plastics and their harms. Environmental pressures from plastics are high and increasing with production. Humans are exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics through ingestion and inhalation. Mortality and harm to wildlife from plastics is demonstrated in the wild as well as in the laboratory. And emerging evidence points to some specific and severe health effects in humans from microplastic particles.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"We must dramatically alter our relationship with plastic polymers and their additives to keep them out of our environment and our bodies.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Margaret Spring","l":"Chair of the ","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"span","x":"ISC","l":" Expert Group on Plastic Pollution","a":[["class","calibre14"]]},{"n":"br","l":"Monterey Bay Aquarium","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"Monterey, California","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Patrick Schröder","l":"Member of the ","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"span","x":"ISC","l":" group Chatham House ","a":[["class","calibre14"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"London","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"p","x":"As part of an environmental company committed to advancing the circular economy I welcomed your leader, “In praise of plastics” (April 19th). As you noted, the ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"low recycling rate for plastics is a question of market logic","l":". If the value of a material is high, demand will lead to recycling. Most plastic waste carries a low value because of the low cost of making new plastic from cheap Russian crude oil. This weakens incentives to invest in recycling technologies.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/leaders/2025/04/16/dont-overlook-the-many-benefits-of-plastics"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"Increased circularity of plastic in the economy requires policies that level the playing field for recycled and virgin plastic. Proven market interventions include deposit return schemes, quotas for recycled content and material standardisation.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"One approach, often overlooked or misunderstood, is strategic landfilling. By actively storing low-grade plastic waste in safe facilities, we can keep its carbon under lock and key while we build a bank for the material. Yet in many regions, landfilling sorted plastic waste is illegal or heavily taxed. Like most waste legislation, this reflects an outdated view of waste as a problem to be minimised rather than a valuable resource. Policymakers must rethink the role of modern landfills.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"ANDERS KIHL","l":"Chief strategy officer","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"br","l":"Ragn-Sells ","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"Stockholm","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"p","x":"One of the main advantages of plastics in packaging is reusability. The main barrier to reusable packaging is cost, driven entirely by a lack of regulation, a gap that currently favours single use. Today, collection costs for reuse can be up to 100 times higher than for single use, simply because the supporting infrastructure does not yet exist. If existing waste systems were adapted for reuse, it would already be significantly cheaper than single use. Environmental reuse is far ahead of recycling. Currently available not-at-scale reuse systems can reduce waste by 99% and carbon dioxide 84% compared with world-class single-use alternatives.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"The ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"span","x":"EU","l":" has demonstrated forward-thinking leadership by setting ambitious reuse targets for 2030 in the latest Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.","a":[["class","calibre14"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"I’m sure Sir David Attenborough approves.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Tomaso Torriani","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"span","x":"CEO ","l":"and co-founder","a":[["class","calibre14"]]},{"n":"br","l":"Movopack","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"Milan","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"Must you be born in the USA?","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"You severely ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"overstated the notion that the 14th Amendment to America’s constitution guarantees citizenship ","l":"to anyone and everyone born on American soil (“Why make all babies citizens?”, May 3rd). No court has ever held that it applies to those who are in the United States temporarily or illegally. Many scholarly treatises, including an entire book on the issue by two law professors at Yale, have concluded that it does not.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/united-states/2025/05/01/why-does-america-have-birthright-citizenship"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"In ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"i","x":"Oforji v Ashcroft","l":", the then 7th Circuit judge, Richard Posner, wrote ","a":[["class","calibre18"]]},{"n":"i","x":"in dicta","l":" that “A constitutional amendment may be required to change the rule whereby birth in this country automatically confers ","a":[["class","calibre18"]]},{"n":"span","x":"US","l":" citizenship, but I doubt it… Congress would not be flouting the constitution if it amended the Immigration and Nationality Act to put an end to the nonsense.”","a":[["class","calibre14"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"Many European nations previously had birthright citizenship, reviewed it, and then rescinded it. In 2004 Ireland abolished it with a constitutional amendment passed by almost 80% of the voters.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"There may have been good policy arguments for ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"i","x":"jus soli","l":", the right of the soil, in the 1860s when most nations were an ocean and a month’s sail away. But these no longer apply in 2025 when an airline flight makes birth tourism accessible and simple.","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Ric Oberlink ","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"Berkeley, California","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"Top of the protest pops","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"Your article on the connection between the Vietnam war and American culture claimed that ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"no protest song topped the Billboard charts in the 1960s","l":" (“The times, they did a-change”, April 26th). I protest. Barry McGuire’s “Eve of Destruction” hit number one in September 1965.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/04/24/the-vietnam-war-made-american-culture-bolder-and-more-varied"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Wout Ultee","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"Amsterdam","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"Updating economics","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"The column by Paul Dans arguing that ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"there’s method in Donald Trump’s madness","l":" raises a deeper question than is perhaps intended (By Invitation, May 3rd). That is, does Mr Trump break economic theory, or prove it right when systems are pushed to their limits? He is not rewriting economics but stress testing it to its limits. The dysfunctions that Mr Dans highlighted of persistent trade deficits, industrial erosion and fiscal imbalance have long been visible through classical and Keynesian lenses.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2025/04/29/trumps-revolution-is-the-only-way-to-save-america-says-the-architect-of-project-2025"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"Ricardo’s logic survives, but in a world of geopolitical rivalry and systemic risk the definition of “advantage” has shifted from efficiency to control. Keynes, similarly, saw deficits not as aberrations but as symptoms of internal misalignments between production, spending and investment. His insights remain essential.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"Classical theories do not need demolition. They need updating to reflect new constraints such as ecological limits, fractured labour markets, the weaponisation of trade and the disruptive concentration of technological power. Mr Trump’s ascent challenges economists to refine and extend the canon, not to abandon it.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Dr Rolando Fuentes","l":"Professor","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"small","l":" Business School","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"EGADE","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"br","l":"Tecnológico de Monterrey","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"Monterrey, Mexico","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"p","x":"I read Mr Dans’s column on Project 2025 and the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term with a mix of concern and intellectual dismay. The sweeping claims of a necessary “revolution” to “save America” raise troubling questions, not only for modern governance, but for the very foundations of democracy.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"Plato, through Socrates, warned of democracy’s tendency to slip into demagoguery, where power becomes concentrated in the hands of a single figure who feeds popular sentiment while weakening institutions. His idea of epistocracy, or governance by the knowledgeable, reminds us that healthy democracies rely not just on popular will but on informed judgment. When leaders are surrounded by loyalists rather than independent thinkers, even clearly harmful decisions, like reckless tariff wars, go unchallenged by advisers who know better from their days on Wall Street but dare not speak up.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"The challenge is not bureaucracy itself, but how it functions. Dismissing the entire administrative state as an obstacle ignores the complexity of governing a modern society. What’s needed is not destruction, but reform—thoughtful, measured, and evidence-based. Addressing America’s debt and deficit requires restructuring welfare systems, controlling health-care costs, and yes, considering higher taxes on the wealthiest, rather than indiscriminate tax cuts and rhetorical wars on civil servants, academics and judges.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","x":"From the outside, and especially from a country like Switzerland, it is clear that quiet co-ordination between diverse political forces tends to produce more durable, effective governance than ideological theatrics or power grabs disguised as reform.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Dr Henning Stein","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"Zurich","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"I’m sure you will get many letters criticising the essay by Mr Dans. I was particularly struck by his complaints about “unelected, revolving-door bureaucrats”. In a single breath he then heaped praise on Elon Musk, who is both unelected and an incompetent bureaucrat. Mr Dans has a powerful facility for hypocrisy.","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Clive McCarthy","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"San Francisco","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"Liberation theology","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"Your ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"obituary of Pope Francis ","l":"(April 26th) stated that he was no fan of liberation theology. Although this was true earlier in his career, he was greatly affected by the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador in 1980 and the murder of six Jesuits in 1989. By the time he became pope in 2013 he was well disposed toward liberation theology because of the priority it gave to the poor. He and Gustavo Gutiérrez, one of liberation theology’s foundational authors, were said to be fast friends. When Gutiérrez died in 2024 Francis broadcast a video at the funeral in which he described him as “A man of the church who knew how to be silent when he had to be silent, who knew how to suffer when it was his turn to suffer, who knew how to carry forward so much apostolic fruit and so much rich theology.”","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/obituary/2025/04/21/pope-francis-changed-the-catholic-church-but-not-as-much-as-he-hoped"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Christine Gudorf","l":"Professor emerita","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"br","l":"Department of religion","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"br","l":"Florida International University","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"i","a":[["class","calibre18"]],"c":[{"n":"br","l":"Miami","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]}]},{"n":"div","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]],"c":[{"n":"img","a":[["src","images/img2_u1.jpg"],["title",""],["class","calibre3"],["data-calibre-src","feed_2/article_0/images/img2_u1.jpg"]]}]},{"n":"div","a":[["class","calibre11"]]},{"n":"h4","x":"It’s time for lunch","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":"Bartleby extolled the virtues of office lunches","l":" (April 19th). I have often found that working lunches, where selected staff are offered free sandwiches (or perhaps something more substantial) are an ideal way to get the creative juices flowing. They encourage input on projects from employees who have no formal role in the assignment. More important, lunch can help when making deals. In negotiations, trust is a key factor and nothing helps foster trust more than having an opportunity to relax and get to know each other over a quiet meal, one’s likes and dislikes, comparing different national obsessions and so on (a glass of wine can help, too). Such opportunities allow individuals to see each other as people rather than job titles.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/business/2025/04/16/reclaiming-the-office-lunch"],["target","_blank"]]},{"n":"small","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"br","l":"David Scott","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"Port St Mary, Isle of Man","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"The disappearance of the lunch break is mostly an Anglo phenomenon. In most countries, the lunch break and in particular eating lunch with colleagues, often in company cafeterias, is still the norm. By the way the word “company” comes from the Latin ","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"i","x":"companio","l":", which is related to ","a":[["class","calibre18"]]},{"n":"i","x":"cum pane","l":" or","a":[["class","calibre18"]]},{"n":"i","x":" cum panibus","l":", and means “one who eats bread with you”.","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"Jem Eskenazi","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"London","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]},{"n":"h4","x":"The need for tweed","a":[["class","calibre15"]]},{"n":"p","x":"I enjoyed your article on Nigel Farage, “The scarier sequel” (April 26th). However, I also noted your theme of","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"a","x":" associating the tweed worn by Mr Farage with less-than-favourable connotations","l":". Historically, tweed may have had its negative stereotypes, but this versatile fabric is now produced in a variety of contemporary designs, weights and technical properties. When well-cut, it can result in clothing that is both stylish and complementary to modern tastes.","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/04/24/nigel-farage-leads-a-movement-that-is-hungrier-and-better-organised"],["target","_blank"]]}]},{"n":"p","x":"Is it too late to reconsider this sartorial stereotype?","a":[["class","calibre12"]]},{"n":"p","a":[["class","calibre12"]],"c":[{"n":"small","x":"James Cretney","a":[["class","calibre17"]],"c":[{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]}]},{"n":"i","x":"Fownhope, Herefordshire","a":[["class","calibre18"]]}]}]},{"n":"div","x":"\n","a":[["class","calibre_navbar"]],"c":[{"n":"hr","l":"\n","a":[["class","calibre6"]]},{"n":"p","x":"This article was downloaded by ","l":"\n","a":[["class","calibre16"]],"c":[{"n":"strong","x":"calibre","l":" from ","a":[["class","calibre13"]]},{"n":"a","x":"https://www.economist.com/letters/2025/05/08/are-plastics-greener-than-they-seem","a":[["href","https://www.economist.com/letters/2025/05/08/are-plastics-greener-than-they-seem"],["rel","calibre-downloaded-from"]]}]},{"n":"br","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"br","l":" | ","a":[["class","calibre-nuked-tag-article"]]},{"n":"a","x":"Menú de sección","l":" | ","a":[["href","javascript:void(0)"],["data-xQvX3JSyyUS4yAvbblzwf5","{\"name\": \"feed_2/index_u48.html\", \"frag\": \"article_0\"}"]]},{"n":"a","x":"Menú principal","l":" | ","a":[["href","javascript:void(0)"],["data-xQvX3JSyyUS4yAvbblzwf5","{\"name\": \"index_u63.html\", \"frag\": \"feed_2\"}"]]}]}]}]},"ns_map":["http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"]}