That's an interesting, as you say, reconceptualization. Really, what you're getting to is, what is the utility of the thing being produced? Does society have to deal with it after it has been produced, or is there some ongoing either durability or use for it in another context? That's the question that has to be asked of the production aspect of plastics and everything that goes with it.
On April 21st, 2021. See this statement in context.