Plastic Cups, the epitome of waste

The American people have aimed all of their efforts at making products that are easy to use and inexpensive to purchase. One of the most wasteful products mass produced in American industry is plastic cups. Plastic cups are easy for parties and large gatherings because they are disposable and you do not have to clean them after the fact. These plastic cups are extremely wasteful though. The cups take an enormous amount of time to decompose and when burnt produce toxic chemicals. The cups have grown in popularity in today's culture because of the image of holding a red solo cup. Instead of just using one cup for drinking at a party, a party goer may use anywhere from 1-10 plastic cups depending on what they are drinking. It is extremely wasteful and a sleeve of 100 plastic cups can be used within an hour at a large gathering.
The plastic cup has gained its popularity from the "red solo cup" image, and the image of being a party cup. Everyone wants a red cup when they are drinking alcohol. Videos like this, are often used by companies to connect with the youthful consumer base. In this video, Hefty is advertising their party cup with a mom using terms that are common with teenagers. The Commercial also states the cups are "crack resistant" trying to make their product more appealing to the consumers. The plastic cup phenomenon became huge when song writer and artist Toby Keith came out with his hit song "red Solo Cup".  The song is all about a plastic "red solo cup". The song suggests that you do not know how to party or have fun if you do not use red plastic cups. Media like this have entertained the idea that plastic cups are needed at a party. It makes more sense just to use one cup and wash it after but the American people have this idea that they need to look cool at parties with their plastic red cups.  

The production of a product like this is harmful because they make things so much easier on the consumer but so much more difficult on the earth. The cups are used and disposed of at an amazing rate. There is no need to use 100 cups at a party with 15 people but it happens because people are lazy. they do not want to wash dishes so they would rather buy plastic cups and just throw them away after one drink.          
 

Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMcHB6Y5QVA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68
Pic:http://blog.catchmyparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Solo-Banner1.png : http://nationswell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3637758402_0246a4099d_o.jpg