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Reusable containers died as soon as plastic containers were developed. Plastic containers are so much lighter that significant money is saved in transport, and
by ams6110 8y ago
Reusable containers died as soon as plastic containers were developed. Plastic containers are so much lighter that significant money is saved in transport, and obviously the handling and transport for the returns, the inspecting, washing, sterilizing costs are all gone. Huge win for the producers, not sure whether it's a net win or loss overall environmentally.
- mirimir 8y agoSure. That's why it happened. But what to do with all those containers? Many current disposable containers are durable enough for long-term use. Even a couple centuries ago, they'd be passed down through families. Maybe they still are, somewhere. But what do I do with hundreds of ~4L plastic milk bottles?
- cwkoss 8y agoUse them as bricks and build houses.
- mirimir 8y agoGiven the season, I'd been thinking of an ice house. But I suppose that one could fill them with concrete, and stack them. Maybe scatter some small rocks between layers, so they deform and ~interlock. And maybe even punch some rebar through them. But you'd need to cover the outside, to slow weathering. And stuff doesn't stick well to polyethylene. Gorilla glue does, so you could add a layer of foam, and then siding. I suspect that getting a construction permit would be iffy, though.