Plastic Pollution(ourworldindata.org) |
Plastic Pollution(ourworldindata.org) |
I have gone plastic-free this January and it has been far more challenging than I thought. Despite having some very ethical shops on my doorstep in Bristol (UK), it takes a lot more time to do my shopping now and there are still many foods which I just cannot find without plastic packaging, most of which really do not need it.
It has been a great eye opener to just how bad the supermarkets are and I think change needs to come through regulation, as a simple small tax for them may be enough to tip the scales and move things in a better direction.
More specifically we need to change the narrative away from recycling and disposal being the consumer's responsibility. The package choices are not the consumers and if manufacturers are unwilling to shift towards reusable or responsible packaging then we need legislation and regulation to force the issue.
> I have gone plastic-free this January and it has been far more challenging than I thought.
I would not think that's even possible without making significant lifestyle changes. There are just basic things (e.g. Toilet paper) that I'm not even aware you can purchase without plastic packaging. Good luck with your journey.
The toilet paper is made from bamboo, and comes wrapped in paper in a cardboard box. They operate in USA, Australia, and the UK.
How does this match up to the estimates that "Roughly two-thirds of plastic waste in the UK is sent overseas to be recycled."[1]? Especially if some of that 'recycled' waste ends up in uncontrolled landfills.
Thanks for the link. Great article.
Source: been picking up garbage all over the world for years.
I don't mean to dig at our German friends, only to make the point that pollution is much more than what we can see, as civilians, just walking and driving around.
Recycling: 19.5% Burning: 25.5% Discard: 50%
Revealing metric
(My completely uninformed guess is that it's ~0.01x as bad, but if anyone has something more informed that would be very helpful!)
What if I'm a vegetarian, do the microplastics get absorbed by plants and by me when I eat the plant?
Depending on the size of the microplastic particles, they will be absorbed through the roots. Most common sources are usually contaminated water and fertilizers. Other times, regular pollution (f.e air and runoff)
I shy away from buying produce from farms next to interstates.
In a grocery store, though, it's impossible to tell where something was sourced.
Stuff like plastic packaging, sea salt, or water is likely a more prevalent source.
Thoughts?
What do you mean by "absorb carbon" anyway - plastic is carbon for the most part, the "H(ydrogen)" in the molecules is tiny in terms of weight (H compared to C atom), and any other atoms mixed in for this or that effect are minor components of what is mostly various kinds of carbo-hydrogen molecules.
Generally making something chemically active with god-knows-what long term effects and being in touch of food is a no-no for me. Some other materials for other usages might be better ideas. Or lets just stick to good old regulation and extra taxes.