3 ms·

I used to also but then I started thinking how obscene it is that the piece of plastic will be around for thousands of years just so I can have slightly more co

by guelo 4y ago

I used to also but then I started thinking how obscene it is that the piece of plastic will be around for thousands of years just so I can have slightly more convenience for an hour or two.

ch4s3 4y ago
I guess. It’s a minimal amount of material that’s made from a waste product anyway. Pottery and glass last just as long, or longer. Something made of cellulose that breaks down more easily would be better, so long as it comes from agricultural byproducts. *edit I’m saying this might be better because some light plastics like straws end in in storm drains and on road sides, so something that breaks down over time into organic compounds might be preferable.
- eru 4y ago
  Why would that be better? Plastic somewhere in a landfill doesn't bother anyone, does it? Not more than pottery and glass in a landfill. And later cultures could dig it up and burn it, if they wanted to.
  - ch4s3 4y ago
    I mean marginally, you know in case it ends up in a river or something.
    - eru 4y ago
      Maybe. But someone can cut themselves on glass shards, too..
      - ch4s3 4y ago
        Yeah, I’m fine with plastic straws.
eru 4y ago
So? How high is the total impact of manufacturing that piece of plastic? It probably pales compared to eg the coffee beans used. Or the cardboard cup. Stones stay around for a long time, too, but no one cares. (And fire can destroy plastic easily.)