4 ms·

It's really only a matter of changing packaging in supermarkets. It's the sort of thing that could be done in a blanket fashion within a couple of years if a m

It's really only a matter of changing packaging in supermarkets. It's the sort of thing that could be done in a blanket fashion within a couple of years if a major government just stepped up and said "no bullshit plastic waste everywhere". That is to say - it's preventable as soon as a major government says so. Unfortunately none of them seem to have the balls. It's fine and dandy to spend multiple years on political fluff (see UK), but god forbid we make any serious changes in packaging regulation.

CaptArmchair 7y ago
Thailand just banned disposable plastic bags... and the Thai seem to have totally embraced the decision: https://www.boredpanda.com/unusual-ways-people-dealing-plastic-bag-ban-thailand/ https://www.boredpanda.com/unusual-ways-people-dealing-plast... https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/plastics/majority-of-thais-support-single-use-plastic-bag-ban https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/plastics/majority-of-thais-s... As far as the U.K is concerned: it will off the use of plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers in april 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/england-plastic-straws-ban https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/england-... Following a complete ban adopted by the European Parliament in 2018 which will be implemented across all members of the union: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european-parliament-approves-ban-on-single-use-plastics-uk-eu-brexit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european... Seems like politicians do have balls to tackle the problem. Sadly, we lost so much time over the past decades when everyone knew that this was a problem.
- esotericn 7y ago
  None of those items are packaging. Carrier bags are optionally taken by individuals. Most of my household waste and that of those around me is endless plastic trays, cling films, bottles from tiny package sizes with high surface area etc. Even if it's not polluting it's annoying because it takes up so much space unnecessarily. I'd rather go to the store with a bottle and fill it. That's what is not being addressed. Most people can just stop using straws. Buying food without OTT packaging for most means going to a different town which has a hippie health foods store with bins or whatever and paying over the odds.
ehnto 7y ago
Plastic packaging isn't the leading cause of plastic in the oceans mind you. But I agree wholeheartedly, it's up to government policy to fix this. Consumers have proven they won't give it up. Businesses are economically encouraged to keep it around. There is no hope outside of regulation.
- esotericn 7y ago
  Sure, but stuff like plastic bottles are everywhere and they're essentially completely pointless. People use them because they can, but if they didn't exist, it would be no great loss at all.

CaptArmchair 7y ago

Thailand just banned disposable plastic bags... and the Thai seem to have totally embraced the decision: https://www.boredpanda.com/unusual-ways-people-dealing-plastic-bag-ban-thailand/ https://www.boredpanda.com/unusual-ways-people-dealing-plast... https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/plastics/majority-of-thais-support-single-use-plastic-bag-ban https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/plastics/majority-of-thais-s... As far as the U.K is concerned: it will off the use of plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers in april 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/england-plastic-straws-ban https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/22/england-... Following a complete ban adopted by the European Parliament in 2018 which will be implemented across all members of the union: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european-parliament-approves-ban-on-single-use-plastics-uk-eu-brexit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/24/european... Seems like politicians do have balls to tackle the problem. Sadly, we lost so much time over the past decades when everyone knew that this was a problem.

esotericn 7y ago
None of those items are packaging. Carrier bags are optionally taken by individuals. Most of my household waste and that of those around me is endless plastic trays, cling films, bottles from tiny package sizes with high surface area etc. Even if it's not polluting it's annoying because it takes up so much space unnecessarily. I'd rather go to the store with a bottle and fill it. That's what is not being addressed. Most people can just stop using straws. Buying food without OTT packaging for most means going to a different town which has a hippie health foods store with bins or whatever and paying over the odds.

ehnto 7y ago

Plastic packaging isn't the leading cause of plastic in the oceans mind you. But I agree wholeheartedly, it's up to government policy to fix this. Consumers have proven they won't give it up. Businesses are economically encouraged to keep it around. There is no hope outside of regulation.

esotericn 7y ago
Sure, but stuff like plastic bottles are everywhere and they're essentially completely pointless. People use them because they can, but if they didn't exist, it would be no great loss at all.