I doubt waxed paper would be a blanket solution for everything. Hot dogs come to mind as an example of something that may require plastic (meats in general, but that a whole other issue). But even something like cheese should do fine in sealed waxed paper.

But more obviously, bread and other baked goods, candy, chips, pretty much anything where perishability isn't a major concern can use waxed paper or cardboard for packaging. Sodas, water, milk, and juice could come in glass, aluminum, or even cardboard cartons instead of plastic bottles. Produce that comes in plastic could use paper, waxed paper, or those little cardboard cartons.

There are plenty of alternatives but our corporate masters would have to sacrifice a small percentage of their quarterly profits so instead we will piss where we sleep until we die.

If you think 'recycling' plastic does a damn thing, you need to do some reading. It's a sham for corporations to trick you into thinking your plastic waste gets reused. It doesn't.

These plastics are single-use. The vast majority of plastic I come across in my groceries is destined for the garbage, not the recycle.