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Weren't plastic bags created because they have a significantly smaller environmental impact than paper? You need to re-use a paper bag at least 3 times before i
by radcon 7y ago
Weren't plastic bags created because they have a significantly smaller environmental impact than paper? You need to re-use a paper bag at least 3 times before it's better than using a plastic bag[1]. And let's face it, no one re-uses those flimsy paper bags from grocery stores, but they're becoming the standard wherever plastic is banned.
Those "environmentally friendly" re-usable grocery bags aren't much better either. Depending on the material, they need to be used anywhere from 30 to 300+ times before they're less harmful than plastic bags[2].
Am I missing something or are regulators overreacting here? Clearly some countries have serious litter issues (sounds like the vast majority comes from Asia and Africa), but does that justify the rest of the world trading one type of pollution for another? Are we even fixing the problem or just making ourselves feel better?
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-cycle-assessment-of-supermarket-carrierbags-a-review-of-the-bags-available-in-2006 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-cycle-assess...
[2] https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/to-tote-or-note-to-tote/498557/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/to-to...
- nostromo 7y agoIt really depends on what you're measuring. Plastic bags are very bad when they end up in rivers or the ocean. But yes, plastic bags might be better on CO2 depending on where they are made and how they are shipped. But paper bags can be made carbon neutral, which is fundamentally impossible with plastic bags.
- olejorgenb 7y agoIt's possible to make synthetic petroleum products from CO2, water and electricity, so it's not fundamentally impossible.
- xfitm3 7y agoI think regulators are overreacting - its a feel good PR move. I require straws and paper straws are total garbage. It's an insult. And no, I am not going to carry a straw in my pocket.
- perfunctory 7y ago> I require straws and paper straws are total garbage. It's an insult. I didn't know the honourable member of the HN community was so sensitive. That they was in any sense a delicate flower. That they was capable of being a quickly and severely injured soul. If that's indeed the case then I am sorry.
- GreenJelloShot 7y agoSome people with physical limitations do require straws in order to drink anything. I don't think mocking the disabled is appropriate.