Are plastic alternatives really sustainable? | Marketplace | Full episode

We all know single-use plastics can be a disaster for the planet — but what if their so-called ‘sustainable’ alternatives aren’t much better? Marketplace cuts through the greenwashing claims to expose the truth behind paper straws, compostable cups and compostable plastics. We follow the lifecycle of these products to uncover a troubling truth: Big companies have simply swapped one throwaway solution for another, all while keeping us hooked on the myth of guilt-free convenience. The cost? A heavier toll on the environment and on your wallet.

How do you manage having too many reusable bags? Are you having trouble composting in your community? Vent in the comments.

CORRECTION (Sept. 26, 2025): A previous version of this video showed an image of a blue double-handled reusable bag from Walmart at 12:10. In fact, the tested bag was actually single handled. The video has been trimmed to remove the image.

Comments on this episode were open for the weekend following its posting on Sept. 25, 2025 to allow for responsive comment moderation. You can read more about why comments aren't open all the time across CBC and other ways to interact with us

#Marketplace #CBC #Investigation

PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES:

ECO-FRIENDLY OR ECO-FICTION?

producer/director

JENNY COWLEY

associate producer

MICHELLE McCANN

reporter

CHARLSIE AGRO

editor

AARON TAYLOR

additional research

DEXTER McMILLAN

TOMI RAJI

additional field support

BOBBY HRISTOVA

camera

NORM ARNOLD

JOHN LESAVAGE

DAVID MacINTOSH

PATRICK MORRELL

audio

IGAL PETEL

MIKE MYRDEN

special thanks

THE ACADEMY FOR STUDENT

ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT

art director

DAVID ABRAHAMS

social media producers

CAROLINE GDYCZYNSKI

BRITT PURDY

colour correction

KYLE J. SMITH

sound mix

DANY TREMBLAY

resource coordinators

MARC CORMIER

DRAGAN MARICIC

news rollout

DEXTER McMILLAN

packaging editor

BENNY KOSHY

packaging producer

MARY-ANN VENDITTI

senior producer

RAJ AHLUWALIA

executive producer

NELISHA VELLANI

first broadcast

SEPTEMBER 26, 2025

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