Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
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Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
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Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#2A remarkably accurate summary of the mess we've brought upon ourselves. It very much is a game, or recycling theatre.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#3Hence it is always important to remember: reduce, reuse and recycle, in that order. You don't have to recycle if you can reuse.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#4It's way past time to start pricing in externalities. More of a push to "reduce and reuse".
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#5Hence it is always important to remember: reduce, reuse and recycle, in that order. You don't have to recycle if you can reuse.
While I agree with that order of operations so to speak, I'm not sure why the responsibility is pushed onto consumers. It's hard to make a choice when it comes down to plastic, plastic, or plastic.
What is being/can be done to get companies to stop using plastic in packaging? I understand that it is necessary for a lot of modern conveniences, but surely there is something that can be done to curb the production and use on the manufacturing side.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#6I used to live in central New Jersey, where the people of Waste Management would send out quarterly fliers telling people "When in doubt throw it out"[0]
I now live in Seattle, and when I tell people this campaign, they get extremely preachy and judgmental. Then when I try to explain that no, it's actually better for the environment, things really go no where. I should probably just give up on that.
[0] http://www.hamiltonnj.com/filestorage/228309/252258/Calendar...
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#7I think I could handle one bin for plastic, one bin for metal+glass, one bin for paper. Anything more complicated I don't really trust myself do right without a lot of vigilance.
And I've heard that things as typical as staples in the cardboard/paper stream ruin everything cost-wise, which makes it all seem sort of lost-cause-ish.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#8Perhaps we should start doing something like what Taiwan did with their trash: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/separation-anxiety/
> The trucks only accept trash bags officially sanctioned by the government of Taiwan which come in a distinctive blue color, complete with an official seal. The bags range in price and size, from 3 liters to 120 liters. The most popular bag is 25 liters (similar to a tiny bathroom wastebasket liner), which costs about $5 for a pack of 20. This effectively makes a pay-as-you-waste model, incentivizing citizens to recycle and compost as much as possible since those services are offered for free. The musical garbage trucks are tailed by a recycling truck, where workers help the residents sort their recyclables and compost into thirteen distinct bins. Should people fail to sort their materials properly, the government will fine them up to $200.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#9I have single stream recycling and the shit that people put into it is ridiculous sometimes. Greasy pizza boxes are a popular one.
Re: Plastic recycling is a problem consumers can't solve
#10I'm always confused why we aren't pyrolyzing refuse and reusing the hydrocarbons in them.
It's energetically and monetarily expensive, but both costs are more or less paid for by the output products and input products, as far as I am aware. And you get out fairly high quality fuels.