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there are lots, such as paper packaging, paper cups, bamboo (for disposable cutlery, packaging etc) there are lots of alternatives i guess the hardest is plast

there are lots, such as paper packaging, paper cups, bamboo (for disposable cutlery, packaging etc) there are lots of alternatives i guess the hardest is plastic food packaging in grocery stores... that plastic is sterile, lightweight and lasts forever (which is good for shelflife, fuel usage etc)... i wonder what airtight alternatives there for that...

gumby 5y ago
glass
- andrekandre 5y ago
  i thought about that too, but glass is 1000s of times as heavy, and typically recycling it means re-melting which is wasteful of energy and has carbon emmissions problems as i see it, the only way that would work is if 1. we reused the glass 2. some national system where someone comes by and pick up the glass for sterilization (like those old 50s milk bottles) 3. standardized glass containers that are mandated/traded across industries and that still doesnt fix the usage of fuels to transport all that glass to and fro...
ArkanExplorer 5y ago
Unfortunately, many of those materials are then coated with PFAS: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-containers-have-risky-chemical https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-cont... Which have all of the same problems of plastic.
tremon 5y ago
To illustrate: https://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-containers.aspx https://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-containers.aspx From their FAQ: > Bioresin is a thermoplastic made from organic materials instead of petroleum products. Bioresin is a substitute for PET and polystyrene and can replace polyethylene and polypropylene. > PLA stands for polylactic acid and is a resin made from corn starch. PLA is used to make clear compostable containers and PLA lining is used in cups and containers as an impermeable liner. PLA is biodegradable, and fully compostable. > Bagasse is a natural byproduct of sugarcane refinement. Bagasse pulp requires minimal processing and elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching to turn it into a woven high-strength paper that is biodegradable and compostable.

gumby 5y ago

glass

andrekandre 5y ago
i thought about that too, but glass is 1000s of times as heavy, and typically recycling it means re-melting which is wasteful of energy and has carbon emmissions problems as i see it, the only way that would work is if 1. we reused the glass 2. some national system where someone comes by and pick up the glass for sterilization (like those old 50s milk bottles) 3. standardized glass containers that are mandated/traded across industries and that still doesnt fix the usage of fuels to transport all that glass to and fro...

ArkanExplorer 5y ago

Unfortunately, many of those materials are then coated with PFAS: https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-containers-have-risky-chemical https://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170201/many-fast-food-cont... Which have all of the same problems of plastic.

tremon 5y ago

To illustrate: https://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-containers.aspx https://greenpaperproducts.com/biodegradable-containers.aspx From their FAQ: > Bioresin is a thermoplastic made from organic materials instead of petroleum products. Bioresin is a substitute for PET and polystyrene and can replace polyethylene and polypropylene. > PLA stands for polylactic acid and is a resin made from corn starch. PLA is used to make clear compostable containers and PLA lining is used in cups and containers as an impermeable liner. PLA is biodegradable, and fully compostable. > Bagasse is a natural byproduct of sugarcane refinement. Bagasse pulp requires minimal processing and elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching to turn it into a woven high-strength paper that is biodegradable and compostable.