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‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

cam.ac.uk

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Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#21

Post by criddell »

pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

Maybe retailer requirements. Walgreens (for example) might require clamshell-type packaging for store displays.

I always wonder why it's used on things that don't need the benefits that plastic provides. For example, I just replaced my keyboard and the new one came in a box but the box was taped shut (single-use plastic) and the keyboard was in a bag (another single-use plastic).

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#22

Post by jamil7 »

mytailorisrich wrote: post #5
pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

> Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Because it's not so simple to replace them in the supply chain, taking everything into account. I am also not convinced that there really are better alternatives in term of pollution in all cases. I think analysing the pros and cons fully in the complete chain (e.g. from mining to disposal of waste) is also complex. For instance: Is a t…

> For instance: Is a thin and light plastic used once and incinerated in a state of the art facility (that might produce heat/electricity in the process) necessarily worse than re-useable glass that is much heavier, may require more energy to produce, and require energy and resources (including water) to re-use?

I would also like to know the answer to this. In Germany certain glass and plastic bottles that work with the deposit system (Pfandsystem) are washed and refilled directly (up to 50 times for glass I think) rather than going through a more complicated recycling process. I would have to imagine this is better than manufacturing a plastic bottle and burning it? When I try to find comparisons for this online it's often comparing a recycling process in which the glass is broken down and remade. If anyone knows I'd love to learn more.

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#23

Post by dopidopHN »

simtel20 wrote: post #19
bushbaba wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I buy rice at the store. It’s in a plastic bag. This is totally in necessary. It could be in a paper bag or even a bulk-bin. I think banning the majority of single use packaging would go a long way at reducing our waste.

In most of the world, bulk containers of grain equal insect infestation. If there is not enough turnover fast enough, there is also the potential for going stale, mold etc. So there is a need for packaging so the age and condition of a discreet quantity can be evaluated and if needed disposed of without infecting the total quantity. In addition many plastic packages allow you to see the condition of the grains inside…

It seems like we were able to store grain without plastic container for a long period of time.

My limited understanding is that plastic is more convenient and we’re used to this convenience at this point.

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#24

Post by bserge »

ramraj07 wrote: post #3
pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

Because single use plastics are transformatively essentially for the entire modern way of life? Until we acknowledge that reality any solution will only sound hypocritical and be ineffective in the end. The only real solution I see for plastic waste is just to incinerate it and try to build carbon capture plants to undo that fire.

What's to acknowledge? Paper bags work just as well, much of the products absolutely don't need that much plastic packaging, and people lived fine with reused glass bottles/jars (at least some countries still recycle that).

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#25

Post by bserge »

hypertele-Xii wrote: post #18

The unnecessary inclusion of 'spider' in the article makes the claim 'vegan' suspect. It's plant-based silk. There are many creatures that spin silk, no need to mention "spider-like" specifically.

At first I thought they taught spiders to eat plants. Afaik, the vast majority are carnivore (by need not by choice).

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#26

Post by simtel20 »

dopidopHN wrote: post #23
simtel20 wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In most of the world, bulk containers of grain equal insect infestation. If there is not enough turnover fast enough, there is also the potential for going stale, mold etc. So there is a need for packaging so the age and condition of a discreet quantity can be evaluated and if needed disposed of without infecting the total quantity. In addition many plastic packages allow you to see the condition of the grains inside…

It seems like we were able to store grain without plastic container for a long period of time. My limited understanding is that plastic is more convenient and we’re used to this convenience at this point.

> It seems like we were able to store grain without plastic container for a long period of time.

Bulk (industrial/commercial) storage is pretty much free of plastic from what (admittedly little I understand). However for quantities that people like you and I - normal people in non-industrial settings - this was not solved well before plastics or else plastics would not be in common use, mostly for the reasons I described above.

> My limited understanding is that plastic is more convenient and we’re used to this convenience at this point.

If by "convenient" you mean it makes it possible to measure and sell a given quantity without having to constantly expose the grain to insects and adverse environments, then yes, but that's not usually what I'd call convenient, it's an essential factor in how its distribution is managed.

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#27

Post by readams »

withinboredom wrote: post #10
pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

Here in the NL, plastic bags are an extra charge (at least where I shop), it costs just a tiny bit extra to get nice reusable ones or bring your own - you can return most other single use plastics — like bottled water — and get your money back. This alleviates #1 above, but I don’t think it would ever fly in the US. Here, grocery shopping is almost a daily experience in the city. You can’t walk 10 minutes without pas…

Looking at a full lifetime you need to reuse cloth bags thousands of times to break even on their higher impact. For sturdier plastic reusable bags you need to reuse them a few hundred times to break even.

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#28

Post by globular-toast »

pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

Cost is a big one because the external costs of plastics are not priced in. Plastic stuff is so cheap that people buy it for nothing more than a brief chuckle before disposing of it (see "secret santa" gifts, party stuff etc.)

Taxing it appropriately is hard. I've often thought about a simple blanket markup per piece of tat, raising the price of said piece of tat from amusing chuckle to stupid waste of money. But how do you distinguish a piece of tat from medical supplies, for example? I don't think anyone dare suggest taxing all plastic products.

Re: ‘Vegan spider silk’ provides sustainable alternative to single-use plastics

#29

Post by sva_ »

criddell wrote: post #21
pizza234 wrote: post #2

Something I don't fully understand is why single-use plastics are still in use. Every once in a while, a replacement is advertised, but still not used. The reasons I can think of are: 1. cost - this could be an very simple reason; 2. conflictual requirement - the supposition that chemical indestructibility is what makes plastic at the same time necessary but problematic. Is there any other factor/complexity I'm missi…

Maybe retailer requirements. Walgreens (for example) might require clamshell-type packaging for store displays. I always wonder why it's used on things that don't need the benefits that plastic provides. For example, I just replaced my keyboard and the new one came in a box but the box was taped shut (single-use plastic) and the keyboard was in a bag (another single-use plastic).

Our society seems to associate such a packaging with the feeling of quality/freshness/whatever. The epitome of this may be on airplanes, where they repackage blankets into plastic bags for every flight (allegedly without even being washed.)
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