4A Forming an Opportunity Belief


1. Opportunity: The scale of one time use plastics in our everyday culture.

2. Describe: In the US, we overuse one time use plastic products in various situations, whether it be drinking from plastic bottles or using plastic straws in our drinks. The plastics we use, get disposed of and much of it ends up in our oceans. Plastic is non degradable, meaning it doesn't just dissolve in the water. This in turn, harms the well being of our oceans and the wildlife that live in them. Consumers need to fix the issue of one time use plastic products to support the health of our neighboring ecosystems. This need is fairly new and it comes from the large scale production of these products for everyday simple uses. To meet this need, some people are switching over to reusable products, such as aluminum bottles, or metal straws. Companies are also producing these products so more people can stray away from the use of plastics. I am 100% certain this opportunity exists.

3. Interview 1: Emilie Weissgerber
   
     A) How often do you use one-time use plastics?
          a. "I don't really know, probably everyday, since I drink water everyday."

     B) Are you aware that one time use plastics like water bottles and straws end up in the ocean and harm the lives of animals and vegetation?
          a. "I guess so. I've seen that one twitter video of the turtle who had a straw stuck up its nose."

     C) How long have you known about this harm?
          a. "For a couple years now, more and more people talk about saving the environment."

     D) When did you first become aware of this issue?
          a. "Probably as a kid when I would see plastic trash scattered all over the beach and in the water, my mom told me that it can kill the fish."

     E) Are you currently addressing this issue personally?
          a. "Not as much as I'd like to, I still use plastic water bottles and straws everyday."

     F) How satisfied are you with this solution?
           a. "Well after these questions, not very. I should probably invest in a refillable water bottle, it would probably save me money too."

4. Interview 2: John Leigh

     A) How often do you use one-time use plastics?
          a. "Not often, probably only when I head out to a restaurant."

     B) Are you aware that one time use plastics like water bottles and straws end up in the ocean and              harm the lives of animals and vegetation?
          a. "Yeah, I've seen those mini documentaries preaching about how plastics break down in the ocean and harm fish and stuff."
     
     C) How long have you known about this harm?
          a. "I think for a while now, couldn't really say exactly how long."

     D)  When did you first become aware of this issue?
          a. "Yeah that I couldn't tell you, had to of been when I was a kid."

     E)  Are you currently addressing this issue personally?
          a. "Yeah I use a water filter at home, and use it to fill my jug that I use everyday."

     F) How satisfied are you with this solution?
          a. "Pretty satisfied i would say, it doesn't solve the issue entirely, but I'm doing my part I guess."

5. Interview 3: Christian Audifredd

     A) How often do you use one-time use plastics?
          a. "Wow, it's gotta be like everyday honestly."

     B) Are you aware that one time use plastics like water bottles and straws end up in the ocean and harm the lives of animals and vegetation?
          a. "I'm sure it happens, but I'm pretty sure it might be a rare thing."

     C) How long have you known about this harm?
          a. "It really didn't even seem like an issue until the last 3 years or so."

     D) When did you first become aware of this issue?
          a. "Well, like I said, like 3 years ago."
   
     E) Are you currently addressing this issue personally?
          a. "Not really, I think plastics are going to end up in the ocean and kill a bunch of things, with or without my couple of water bottles."

     F) How satisfied are you with this solution?
          a. "I'm okay with it, not gonna lose any sleep over it any time soon."


Summary and Reflection:
   
     After talking to my three interviewees, it seems that there's, at least, a common consensus that there is an issue with one time use plastics harming our oceans. The difference lies in whether someone wants to change their lifestyle to better help the well being of the life in the oceans. This experience has made my belief that opportunity does exist, and does need to be fixed. Entrepreneurs should adapt their opportunities to customer feedback, but not always. Not everyone sees things clearly, and sometimes staying firm to what you think needs your energy can pay off in the end.










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