The number of plastic straws I see discarded in my local park (Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY) is _astounding_. I wish New York City would enact a tax/ban.
Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
61–70 of 417 posts
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
I have about 20 pound worth of bags in the cupboard gathering dust, 5p doesn't make a difference. They should make it £1 in the UK from now and £5 from 2020. That will make a dent. 2030 is the same as saying "Lets kick the can down the road".
Well apparently a 5p charge resulted in a 14x decrease in usage of plastic bags, so despite your anecdote, it does make a difference.
A little thing to bear in mind is that the new bags weigh significantly more than the old ones, so it's not actually a 14x decrease. With the switch all the stores now sell "lifetime" bags.
According to my fairly inaccurate kitchen scales the old ones weigh about 10g, the new ones weigh about 25g. So it's about a 5.6x drop, which is still fantastic.
I think everyone talks about the number of bags as it makes the decrease look bigger.
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#63Has nobody thought of marketing straw straws?
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#64There's claims the plastic ban bag in San Diego led to a Hepatitis outbreak https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2017/sep/08/stringers-pl...
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#65The UK dropped to 500 million bags annually used from 7 billion after introduction of a 5 pence per bag charge. That's just one country albeit one of the world's largest. Still I think we're over due for much more agressive action. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/30/england-...
I don't like that this is a regressive tax - pay a premium for the good bags, settle for paper, or pay for reusable bags. If anything, maybe just give a tax credit for not using plastic, which is printed on the receipt.
How would people use this tax credit that is printed on the receipt for every supermarket trip they take? It doesn't sound even remotely practical.
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
That was a wrong decision: rather than imposing a small fee, they should have banned the sale of non-biodegradable bags altogether. Italy is doing so since 2011, and it seems to be working just fine.
Tesco used biodegradable bags but they weren't lasting long compared to the original bags. They couldn't be used for much because they started falling apart within weeks.
At least they're biodegradable though? Plastic isn't really.
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#67Morocco is already actively banning plastic bags since 2016. www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2016/07/green-morocco-bans-plastic-bags-160701141919913.html
According to rumor, this was an initiative of the king who was unhappy with the immense amount of litter across the countryside. Conventional plastic bags have been replaced by fiber bags that, I guess, are biodegradable eventually, but I do wonder if their creation generates just as much CO2. Plus, every single shopkeeper will give you a new-style bag (or three) for free; no one is being encouraged to reuse bags.
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#68The Law of Unintended Consequences will: * Put companies out of business that produce or import said goods * Reducing availability and increasing cost of medical goods that use plastic because the aforementioned companies no longer exist or are importing products * Put pressure on manufactures to use alternate materials (bamboo and glass most likely) causing shortages and rising cost This in the long run is going to…
I just want to address this: > Put companies out of business that produce or import said goods Good! Good. If you are actively contributing to polluting the earth and making it uninhabitable for future generations, then losing your business is probably the least horrible thing that can happen to you.
Agreed. And then new businesses that provide more green and earth friendly products can flourish in its place. It's a net positive afaic
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#69Maybe it's an anecdote, but I've noticed that over the past year or two, most bars and clubs have stopped giving me a straw by default and instead I'd either had to grab one from the jar or ask for one. This is good, I don't need or want a straw in my drink. Even with the introduction of bamboo straws they should keep this policy. Obviously there are reasons to want a straw, such as wearing lipstick or having sensiti…
Saves the business money since they don't have to buy as many. But yeah, I actually really enjoy straws and need them (protein shake with a beard kinda requires one). I use them often but would have no problem if they were made out of something less environmentally damaging.
Re: Taiwan ban single-use plastic straws, plastic bags, disposable utensils by 2030
#70Has nobody thought of marketing straw straws?