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> Like for instance how China banned single serving plastic usage. Even that probably isn't sensible. Banning single-use plastic leads to a shift to single-use
by crote 2y ago
> Like for instance how China banned single serving plastic usage.
Even that probably isn't sensible. Banning single-use plastic leads to a shift to single-use paper, single-use wood, or single-use metal - all of which are even worse for the environment. The problem isn't the "plastic" part, the problem is the "single-use" part.
- bobthepanda 2y agoBad for the environment has multiple facets to it. For example, we already know that plastics form a lot of the trash in the ocean; but now we also know that these plastics shed microplastics pervasively as well.
- Dudhbbh3343 2y agoRather than bans, all these materials with environmental externalities should be taxed at an appropriate rate. Then the market can find the optimal material for each use case.
- dredmorbius 2y agoThis presumes that the process which establishes taxation levels is completely independent of the current profitability and power of those companies involved in their present creation. The history of negative-externalities-generating industries --- lead, asbestos, tobacco, alcohol, CFCs, amongst others --- suggests that this may not be the case.
- Hnrobert42 2y agoHow is single use paper even worse for the environment than single use plastic?
- Contortion 2y agoPaper is environmentally expensive to produce and recycle. If it's worse than plastic is surely debatable but it's definitely not significantly better. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/paper-plastic1.htm https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-scienc...
- jankeymeulen 2y agobut paper that ends up in the environment is almost surely better
- dzhiurgis 2y agoI can imagine paper bag rotting away and producing methane while plastic bag inert for centuries. Short term global warming seems far bigger issue than plastic waste (which is manageable)
- bobthepanda 2y agoMicroplastic seems to be a public health issue.
- dzhiurgis 2y agoNothing conclusive tho. More like - it's everywhere, some of it might be dangerous.
- thenthenthen 2y agoAll the straws here in China are made from PLA… the polymer. Not sure how well that breaks down though, but hey, at least you get a free plastic bag with insulation with it!