3 ms·

Then what is the alternative? Going back to metal and wood consumer goods at the scale western consumerism exists today versus the pre 1960s would probably be i

Then what is the alternative? Going back to metal and wood consumer goods at the scale western consumerism exists today versus the pre 1960s would probably be impossible and really throw gasoline on the entire climate crisis.

NoMoreNicksLeft 3y ago
Some of those plastics would be well-replaced by metals. How many plastic spatulas fill landfills? An adult probably goes through a dozen or more in their lifetimes if they're careful with them, and far more if they burn them leaving them in pans. A single stainless steel one has to be better, unless I'm just off on the math. We make so many things that, even if they're not disposable they are "disposable" when they do not have to be. Finding a good without plastic in it is actually one of my criteria for kitchenware. Glass, metal, wood... nothing else should touch food if I can help it (some exceptions when truly warranted, silicone can be useful).
- kube-system 3y ago
  Packaging makes up, by far, the largest share of plastic waste. And in regards to food, the only packaging without plastic is basically just glass. Cans are lined with plastic to avoid chemically reacting with food. And paper is coated with plastic to stay waterproof. Glass is great but it is energy intensive and has its own waste issues.
bluGill 3y ago
We can make plastics from bio sources. It is more expensive, and those plastic biodegrade (sometimes a positive, but sometimes a negative) We can make any oil from the basic atoms (mostly carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen - but some molecules may want something else). However this process costs a lot more energy (read $) vs pumping oil from the ground and so it is rarely done. This is how synthetic oils are made so if you know the cost of car oil you can get a good picture of the difference in costs.

3 ms·

Then what is the alternative? Going back to metal and wood consumer goods at the scale western consumerism exists today versus the pre 1960s would probably be i

by kjkjadksj 3y ago

NoMoreNicksLeft 3y ago
Some of those plastics would be well-replaced by metals. How many plastic spatulas fill landfills? An adult probably goes through a dozen or more in their lifetimes if they're careful with them, and far more if they burn them leaving them in pans. A single stainless steel one has to be better, unless I'm just off on the math. We make so many things that, even if they're not disposable they are "disposable" when they do not have to be. Finding a good without plastic in it is actually one of my criteria for kitchenware. Glass, metal, wood... nothing else should touch food if I can help it (some exceptions when truly warranted, silicone can be useful).
- kube-system 3y ago
  Packaging makes up, by far, the largest share of plastic waste. And in regards to food, the only packaging without plastic is basically just glass. Cans are lined with plastic to avoid chemically reacting with food. And paper is coated with plastic to stay waterproof. Glass is great but it is energy intensive and has its own waste issues.
bluGill 3y ago
We can make plastics from bio sources. It is more expensive, and those plastic biodegrade (sometimes a positive, but sometimes a negative) We can make any oil from the basic atoms (mostly carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen - but some molecules may want something else). However this process costs a lot more energy (read $) vs pumping oil from the ground and so it is rarely done. This is how synthetic oils are made so if you know the cost of car oil you can get a good picture of the difference in costs.