4 ms·

Single-use plastic cutlery and plates to be banned in England

14 points by elsewhen 4y ago

diebeforei485 4y ago
In general I prefer taxes over bans, unless good alternatives exist. Polystyrene (styrofoam) has plenty of alternatives so it's reasonable to ban. Plastic plates could be replaced with paper plates, but I'm not sure what to do about single use plastic cutlery.
- itisit 4y ago
  > I'm not sure what to do about single use plastic cutlery. Wooden cutlery.
  - Aaron2222 4y ago
    The problem with wooden cutlery though is that it tastes like wood. And don't get me started on paper straws. Would much rather be given reusable cutlery to use and return later.
- Tagbert 4y ago
  I’ve seen single use cutlery made from formed bamboo. At least use the compostable cutlery if your area has municipal composting. Then it has a chance of breaking down.
  - diebeforei485 4y ago
    Wouldn't wood (which comes from cutting trees) be worse for the environment?
ryantgtg 4y ago
In the village I live in (Los Angeles), they banned single use plastic bags at grocery stores. So the grocery stores made the bags slightly thicker and called them reusable. I assume they’re actually wasting more plastic now, given that each item is composed of more plastic and I doubt that is offset by the couple people who actually do reuse these grocery bags. There is a lesson here, though it depends on your perspective.
- Tagbert 4y ago
  I think that is a net positive. The main problem with those plastic bags isn’t the amount of plastic. It is much less than most of the packaging of the goods that go in them. The problem is that those flimsy bags get into places they shouldn’t and gum up the works. They get into storm drains and block runoff. They get into the waterways and other outdoor environments and animals try to eat them and find their digestive systems blocked. Those heavier bags are much less likely to blow away and get into the environment. They are more likely to be reused as trash bags and/or just thrown into controlled trash collection.

14 points by elsewhen 4y ago

In general I prefer taxes over bans, unless good alternatives exist. Polystyrene (styrofoam) has plenty of alternatives so it's reasonable to ban. Plastic plates could be replaced with paper plates, but I'm not sure what to do about single use plastic cutlery.

itisit 4y ago
> I'm not sure what to do about single use plastic cutlery. Wooden cutlery.
- Aaron2222 4y ago
  The problem with wooden cutlery though is that it tastes like wood. And don't get me started on paper straws. Would much rather be given reusable cutlery to use and return later.
Tagbert 4y ago
I’ve seen single use cutlery made from formed bamboo. At least use the compostable cutlery if your area has municipal composting. Then it has a chance of breaking down.
- diebeforei485 4y ago
  Wouldn't wood (which comes from cutting trees) be worse for the environment?

ryantgtg 4y ago

In the village I live in (Los Angeles), they banned single use plastic bags at grocery stores. So the grocery stores made the bags slightly thicker and called them reusable. I assume they’re actually wasting more plastic now, given that each item is composed of more plastic and I doubt that is offset by the couple people who actually do reuse these grocery bags. There is a lesson here, though it depends on your perspective.

Tagbert 4y ago
I think that is a net positive. The main problem with those plastic bags isn’t the amount of plastic. It is much less than most of the packaging of the goods that go in them. The problem is that those flimsy bags get into places they shouldn’t and gum up the works. They get into storm drains and block runoff. They get into the waterways and other outdoor environments and animals try to eat them and find their digestive systems blocked. Those heavier bags are much less likely to blow away and get into the environment. They are more likely to be reused as trash bags and/or just thrown into controlled trash collection.