One major use of oil is to manufacture plastic. Plastic is heavily used in products as diverse as bottles, computers, radios, and trash bins. If we are to delay the depletion of oil reserves, measures must be taken to reduce the amount of plastic being used.

One major problem is that so many "disposable" items are produced with plastic, and some consumers easily throw away non-disposible plastic items when they malfunction. Such wasteful items as disposable flashlights and symbolic promotional credit cards have been massively produced, using large quantities of irreplaceable oil. Due to high repair fees and low purchase costs, people are also encouraged to throw away items such as computer accessories, audio equipment, and small kitchen appliances when they stop functioning properly.

Another factor which limits conservation of plastic is the manufacturing trend of making products become "obsolete" for the purpose of increasing profits. Computer and software producers continue a cycle of creating slower software and faster computers to keep consumers buying upgrades and replacements - thus resulting in components containing plastic (along with hazardous materials) being discarded. FCC regulators are requiring all television broadcast stations to change over to the digital television format within the next few years, which is likely to lead to massive dumping of analog television sets. Some camera manufacturers are ceasing production of film and film cameras, leading photographers to suspect that film cameras will eventually be abandoned in favor of digital. Even if the older format products aren't discarded, they often sit idle while the newer product (which was produced with oil) is being used although the former product would still be acceptable if manufacturers didn't discontinue parts or supplies for it. This trend exists in many other fields, and has increased in recent years.

Another concern is poor recycling policies, especially in rural areas. In many states, no bottle redemption deposit exists, and many areas only recycle one or two types of plastic. A few rural town dumps fail to recycle even one plastic type (indicated by the number on the bottom of the container). This, combined with the apathy toward recycling displayed by some consumers, prevents plastic from being re-used and continues the depletion of oil.

We must take conservation of oil seriously, as it cannot be denied that our lives will be changed for the worse if supplies of it are depleted. Consumers should be sure to recycle as many containers as possible, try to repair broken products before replacing them, and resist "upgrading" electronics. The government should drop its plan to enforce the changeover to digital television, and increase recycling programs. Manufacturers should provide a cost incentive for consumers to buy replacement parts, cease production of most disposible and unproductive promotional items, and continue to produce parts & supplies for older formats/models of their products. If all of these measures are taken, in combination with efficient gasoline and electricity usage, there will be oil for many more years to come, consumers will save money, illegal dumping will be reduced, and the environment will benefit as well.