Kurzgesagt also just posted a video on this topic. Among other things one of the bits that piqued my interest was that reusable cloth bags need to be used about 7000 times to match the energy...
Kurzgesagt also just posted a video on this topic. Among other things one of the bits that piqued my interest was that reusable cloth bags need to be used about 7000 times to match the energy efficiency and carbon output of a single plastic bag. It really highlighted the need for use to take a rational approach of how to deal with plastics, not an outright ban, but as this article states, making plastics better.
This is a really good point. It's really complicated to figure out what's most environmentally friendly overall. What about water and other resources necessary for production? Energy? Areas used...
This is a really good point.
It's really complicated to figure out what's most environmentally friendly overall.
What about water and other resources necessary for production? Energy? Areas used for crops/refining/production and their alternate use? Supply chain differences for different products? Cost efficiency (more environmental protection for your buck elsewhere?)? And so on.
That's just trying to make the right choice in terms of environment. Then you get to things like working conditions, labor rights and jobs, and it's pretty difficult to be a conscientious consumer.
It's often easy to recognize when something definitely isn't environmentally friendly though: Like when I can choose to either buy broccoli off the neighbor's field, or get it in plastic wrap...
It's often easy to recognize when something definitely isn't environmentally friendly though:
Like when I can choose to either buy broccoli off the neighbor's field, or get it in plastic wrap that's been shipped by container for 1000+ kilometers, the choice is easy.
Even if that local variety is somehow still more expensive.
(There are also guidelines that make a lot of sense in general: like going up the food chain from plant to animal to predator etc. requiring way more energy per output unit of food, to name one example)
Wasn't saying there aren't. There are definitely better choices than others. Was more just being a bit negative in general. A lot of products are green, environmental friendly, recyclable,...
Wasn't saying there aren't. There are definitely better choices than others. Was more just being a bit negative in general. A lot of products are green, environmental friendly, recyclable, low-energy - and these have become buzz words. Those food boxes have been really popular lately (and I can definitely see the appeal), but it's weird to keep hearing that the plastic the food comes in is recyclable, especially knowing that vast majority of our "recycling" is not recycled. Sorry about the rant...
Never heard it quite this high, the number I hear is usually in the 350 - 700 range, but still it's always high enough to make you think. I honestly believe banning straws and bags really is a PR...
reusable cloth bags need to be used about 7000 times to match the energy efficiency and carbon output of a single plastic bag.
Never heard it quite this high, the number I hear is usually in the 350 - 700 range, but still it's always high enough to make you think.
I honestly believe banning straws and bags really is a PR move and nothing more. Unfortunately, to make a real dent in our plastics issue requires a real change, and no one's committed to that.
As a counterpoint, carbon output isn't the only reason to not use plastics. Plastics don't biodegrade, so they end up in waterways where they get eaten by marine animals from fish, to sea turtles,...
As a counterpoint, carbon output isn't the only reason to not use plastics. Plastics don't biodegrade, so they end up in waterways where they get eaten by marine animals from fish, to sea turtles, to whales. This kills the marine animal. Maybe durable, reusable plastic bags (I'm thinking Ikea bags) are a good middleground solution?
I agree that's why I said "one of the things" and didn't say it was obviously a better alternative to continue to use plastic bags as a single use product. The video presents a good balance of...
I agree that's why I said "one of the things" and didn't say it was obviously a better alternative to continue to use plastic bags as a single use product. The video presents a good balance of information I highly recommend watching it.
Kurzgesagt also just posted a video on this topic. Among other things one of the bits that piqued my interest was that reusable cloth bags need to be used about 7000 times to match the energy efficiency and carbon output of a single plastic bag. It really highlighted the need for use to take a rational approach of how to deal with plastics, not an outright ban, but as this article states, making plastics better.
This is a really good point.
It's really complicated to figure out what's most environmentally friendly overall.
What about water and other resources necessary for production? Energy? Areas used for crops/refining/production and their alternate use? Supply chain differences for different products? Cost efficiency (more environmental protection for your buck elsewhere?)? And so on.
That's just trying to make the right choice in terms of environment. Then you get to things like working conditions, labor rights and jobs, and it's pretty difficult to be a conscientious consumer.
For sure, and I am starting to think calling any product/packaging "environmentally friendly" is just from good marketing.
It's often easy to recognize when something definitely isn't environmentally friendly though:
Like when I can choose to either buy broccoli off the neighbor's field, or get it in plastic wrap that's been shipped by container for 1000+ kilometers, the choice is easy.
Even if that local variety is somehow still more expensive.
(There are also guidelines that make a lot of sense in general: like going up the food chain from plant to animal to predator etc. requiring way more energy per output unit of food, to name one example)
Wasn't saying there aren't. There are definitely better choices than others. Was more just being a bit negative in general. A lot of products are green, environmental friendly, recyclable, low-energy - and these have become buzz words. Those food boxes have been really popular lately (and I can definitely see the appeal), but it's weird to keep hearing that the plastic the food comes in is recyclable, especially knowing that vast majority of our "recycling" is not recycled. Sorry about the rant...
Never heard it quite this high, the number I hear is usually in the 350 - 700 range, but still it's always high enough to make you think.
I honestly believe banning straws and bags really is a PR move and nothing more. Unfortunately, to make a real dent in our plastics issue requires a real change, and no one's committed to that.
As a counterpoint, carbon output isn't the only reason to not use plastics. Plastics don't biodegrade, so they end up in waterways where they get eaten by marine animals from fish, to sea turtles, to whales. This kills the marine animal. Maybe durable, reusable plastic bags (I'm thinking Ikea bags) are a good middleground solution?
It's not just about pollution though, there's also the physical waste plastic generates.
Especially considering so much of it ends up in our oceans and ultimately in our food chain.
I agree that's why I said "one of the things" and didn't say it was obviously a better alternative to continue to use plastic bags as a single use product. The video presents a good balance of information I highly recommend watching it.
I posted this in ~news because the plastic issue is very much current events. If others disagree, we can move it.