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It's important to remember that plastic waste is virtually unrelated to climate change. They both might be "green" issues, but plastic straws in our oceans are

It's important to remember that plastic waste is virtually unrelated to climate change. They both might be "green" issues, but plastic straws in our oceans aren't going to have any significant effect on warming the planet. They'll just end up causing ecological changes/damage. Malicious actors try to conflate the two. Carbon gas emissions pose an existential threat to the future of human society; plastic straws do not.

vimy 5y ago
In fact, the plastic replacements often cause more emissions. Because of production or because more trucks are needed for the same products with thicker packaging. Supermarket chain in my country changed their packaging, the same amount now needs 2 trucks instead of one. Also glass bottles or cardboard are heavier so more fuel consumption.
- Ekaros 5y ago
  Reusable "bamboo" cups are a fun example. I'm not sure if they are considered biodegradable anymore and then the fact that some countries in Europe had them remove from market... Due potentially leaching melamine and formaldehyde... So I take it will take awhile for us to get these things right...
  - vimy 5y ago
    The solution would be to keep using plastic and set up garbage collection infrastructure in the countries who spill all the garbage in the ocean.
slownews45 5y ago
You don't have to be a malicious actors. The same folks are pushing both issues and will not talk proactively / positively about anything? Carbon capture? Hell no! Micro nuclear? Hell no! Ban straws? Yes!! We did the whole glass bottle use thing for milk etc etc - but at some point you realize some of these high profile enviro actions are basic hot air - we'd be better off with getting rid of them entirely and doing things like 1) Carbon tax on all sources of carbon emissions that then pays for ANY solution (carbon capture, solar + battery, mini-nuclear) that folks want to try. 2)
- timeon 5y ago
  > You don't have to be a malicious actors. But with your nitpicking maybe you are?

vimy 5y ago

In fact, the plastic replacements often cause more emissions. Because of production or because more trucks are needed for the same products with thicker packaging. Supermarket chain in my country changed their packaging, the same amount now needs 2 trucks instead of one. Also glass bottles or cardboard are heavier so more fuel consumption.

Ekaros 5y ago
Reusable "bamboo" cups are a fun example. I'm not sure if they are considered biodegradable anymore and then the fact that some countries in Europe had them remove from market... Due potentially leaching melamine and formaldehyde... So I take it will take awhile for us to get these things right...
- vimy 5y ago
  The solution would be to keep using plastic and set up garbage collection infrastructure in the countries who spill all the garbage in the ocean.

slownews45 5y ago

You don't have to be a malicious actors. The same folks are pushing both issues and will not talk proactively / positively about anything? Carbon capture? Hell no! Micro nuclear? Hell no! Ban straws? Yes!! We did the whole glass bottle use thing for milk etc etc - but at some point you realize some of these high profile enviro actions are basic hot air - we'd be better off with getting rid of them entirely and doing things like 1) Carbon tax on all sources of carbon emissions that then pays for ANY solution (carbon capture, solar + battery, mini-nuclear) that folks want to try. 2)

timeon 5y ago
> You don't have to be a malicious actors. But with your nitpicking maybe you are?