The invention of plastics sparked a massive shift in production and manufacturing. As a significant invention in the 20th century, it dramatically changed the entire world. However, many believe that the emergence of plastic, though beneficial for industries, is a critical environmental hazard. 

It is such a concern that environmentalists are pushing to ban the use of plastics nationwide. However, I don't think Texas should restrict the use of plastics.

The main problem regarding plastics is not the material itself but its proper disposal. Plastics don't decompose quickly and may remain on Earth for thousands of years. Yet, the solution proposed by those who are against plastics is not the implementation of proper disposal methods but banning the material itself. 

Studies done on the effects of plastic on the environment show that plastics can protect nature. Unlike paper, which comes from trees, tin, and glass extracted from mining, plastics are made synthetically. With plastics, we can do more for less, and it can help prevent deforestation and mining, two of the worst destroyers of the environment, next to pollution. 

The primary use of plastic is packaging, and it has helped reduce the need for paper and other materials that derive from natural resources. Plastic packaging is cheaper and safe to produce, especially for storing food. Additionally, plastics have many uses in medicine, industry, engineering, etc. 

We need to develop an efficient system of plastic disposal and penalize littering and improper trash dumping. In Singapore and Japan, people comply with rigid anti-littering policies, which ensure their cities are clean.  

We, as a country, should not stop plastics but educate society on their proper disposal and provide them with an efficient system to avoid littering. Banning is a cop-out solution for those who don't want to solve the problem, and it could have grave repercussions.