I think what is missing is the assumption that the replacement product would be better for the environment. Like before we had plastic crap we had steel products. And we know very well the damage that industry causes back when we had a local steel industry polluting the rust bet cities for decades. Maybe you use wood well a lot of the wood they used back then wasn’t really sustainably harvested either.
What we are left with is plastic. Cheap yes but also perhaps the least bad of the other things.
As long as we engage in rampant consumerism we will run into similar rampant consumerism issues no matter the materials used.
Banning plastic for unnecessary goods may rein in consumerism a bit. Consider cheap plastic toys. Without plastic, those toys would cost more, and people would buy fewer of them. I doubt the priciness would cause real harm poorer families, considering how manufacturing has lowered the price of even wooden toys so much. Plus so many stores sell used toys.
I'd only worry about the affect of a plastic restriction on food prices. But, again, it might be a blessing in disguise by steering people towards fresh produce and meat.
I feel like size of the home is the limiting factor more than anything. Before plastic funkos it was little ceramic cherubs grandma was filling all the available shelving with.
What we are left with is plastic. Cheap yes but also perhaps the least bad of the other things.
As long as we engage in rampant consumerism we will run into similar rampant consumerism issues no matter the materials used.