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I have had similar thoughts, but it's also worth considering the products that all that garbage protects, whether that's to prevent manufactured goods from bein

I have had similar thoughts, but it's also worth considering the products that all that garbage protects, whether that's to prevent manufactured goods from being broken in storage and transport, or foodstuffs from spoilage. In either case, not protecting things also wastes huge amounts of resources - which isn't to say that there aren't other options for packaging than plastics.

andrewstuart 9y ago
My post suggests that we need a set of standardised, reusable, washable containers. These containers have a refund value attached to ensure they are returned. Say for example maybe 150 different sizes and types of containers. Companies would be legally required to ship their products in these standardised containers, or pay some penalty somehow that is a strong disincentive not to make products that do not fit the standard packages.
- colordrops 9y ago
  I looked into starting a company around this idea about 10 years ago but I don't think the world was ready for it. I think my number was 250 heh. I still don't think the world is ready for it. Manufacturers gain too much from pretty and clean and unique packaging. One solution could be to create a system whereby environmentally friendly dyes could be sprayed onto and washed off the containers to allow for differentiation.
musage 9y ago
> In either case, not protecting things also wastes huge amounts of resources Why "also"? It's not about wasting resources, it's about producing poison. When you spill milk, you waste resources, but you do zero lasting damage. When you produce plastic and other things and they, say, end up accumulating somewhere in the food chain, that's an entirely different ballpark.
- blacksmith_tb 9y ago
  I wish that were true, but producing that milk and delivering it you required significant use of fossil fuels, which poisoned the environment. My city composts food waste, which offsets some of that, but not all.
r00fus 9y ago
Well the big waste is that products are manufactured to be shipped. Germany prevents local beer from being transportable (as it reduces the flavor and protects local breweries)... has it made German beer less successful?

andrewstuart 9y ago

My post suggests that we need a set of standardised, reusable, washable containers. These containers have a refund value attached to ensure they are returned. Say for example maybe 150 different sizes and types of containers. Companies would be legally required to ship their products in these standardised containers, or pay some penalty somehow that is a strong disincentive not to make products that do not fit the standard packages.

colordrops 9y ago
I looked into starting a company around this idea about 10 years ago but I don't think the world was ready for it. I think my number was 250 heh. I still don't think the world is ready for it. Manufacturers gain too much from pretty and clean and unique packaging. One solution could be to create a system whereby environmentally friendly dyes could be sprayed onto and washed off the containers to allow for differentiation.

musage 9y ago

> In either case, not protecting things also wastes huge amounts of resources Why "also"? It's not about wasting resources, it's about producing poison. When you spill milk, you waste resources, but you do zero lasting damage. When you produce plastic and other things and they, say, end up accumulating somewhere in the food chain, that's an entirely different ballpark.

blacksmith_tb 9y ago
I wish that were true, but producing that milk and delivering it you required significant use of fossil fuels, which poisoned the environment. My city composts food waste, which offsets some of that, but not all.

r00fus 9y ago

Well the big waste is that products are manufactured to be shipped. Germany prevents local beer from being transportable (as it reduces the flavor and protects local breweries)... has it made German beer less successful?