The device known as shoyu-tai (or soy-sauce snapper in Japanese) was invented in 1954 by Teruo Watanabe, the founder of Osaka-based company Asahi Sogyo, according to a report from Japan’s Radio Kansai.
It was then common for glass and ceramic containers to be used but the advent of cheap industrial plastics allowed the creation of a small polyethylene container in the shape of a fish, officially named the “Lunch Charm”.
The invention quickly spread around Japan and eventually worldwide, and it is estimated that billions have been produced.
The “fish-shaped” is rather irrelevant. The point is that it is a single -use plastic thing. With very little content in relation to the plastic used.
I thought it would have been very relevant.
It looks like a fish lure.
If this is floating around at sea I don’t see why other fish (and maybe certain sea birds?) wouldn’t think it’s prey, and it even has a bright red indicator that makes it easy to spot.
Only relevant for countries that still “recycle” plastics by throwing them into the sea.
Some thrash will end up in nature no matter what you do, especially small and light items. That’s why it’s good practice to design packaging do that it does minimal harm if it ends up in nature.
So all of them.