General Discussion

Squinch

(58,957 posts)

1. I've become a little obsessive about this. A LOT of our common types of plastics

Reply to Weekend Warrior (Original post)

Thu Sep 21, 2017, 09:10 AM

Sep 2017

including grocery bags are likely to be around for millennia.

The plastics that do decompose within a century or so leach poisons into every aspect of our environment. Millions of new tons of new plastic are made every day.

At this rate, we will be literally up to our knees in it. And once it's made, you can't get rid of it.

I, too, am trying to eliminate my use of it, but it is impossible. EVERYTHING is made of plastic. I have drastically reduced it, but I still generate an amount that horrifies me.

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Packaging, bagging and waste. We can and should do better. [View all] Weekend Warrior Sep 2017 OP

I've become a little obsessive about this. A LOT of our common types of plastics Squinch Sep 2017 #1

Plastic has also been found in sea salt RandomAccess Sep 2017 #18

I saw that. How horrifying is that? Squinch Sep 2017 #19

Cuba impressed me with the lack of packaging. They give everyone a free birthday cake till they are bettyellen Sep 2017 #23

In some ways we are prisoners of our wealth as a country. Squinch Sep 2017 #24

Agree on all fronts. MontanaMama Sep 2017 #2

Apply total cost burden zipplewrath Sep 2017 #3

The producer would just pass the cost on to the consumer inwiththenew Sep 2017 #7

And that would influence purchasing zipplewrath Sep 2017 #17

Which would be great. Then we would buy according to actual value. That consumer is paying Squinch Sep 2017 #25

Irony. Something environmentally safer to wrap McD's 'food' in leftstreet Sep 2017 #4

Your sentiment doesn't fall on deaf ears with me. Weekend Warrior Sep 2017 #5

I'm genuinely curious. B2G Sep 2017 #6

Just dump food,everything into a large paper cup, including your drink snooper2 Sep 2017 #8

I find it hard to believe that is what you come up with. Seems void of thought. Weekend Warrior Sep 2017 #9

It's pretty easy to tell them you don't need a bag. B2G Sep 2017 #10

"It's pretty easy to tell them you don't need a bag." Weekend Warrior Sep 2017 #12

I'm reading a lot of scorn and criticism, but zero recommended alternative packaging or handling. WinkyDink Sep 2017 #31

A tray. Um-hmm. And then what? Is the tray disposable? No? It must be washed? In hot water? WinkyDink Sep 2017 #29

Instead of a bag, what? WinkyDink Sep 2017 #28

bring your own crazycatlady Sep 2017 #34

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2017 #37

I especially enjoy how your narrative takes us to one, and only one extreme LanternWaste Sep 2017 #15

Really? I can think of a lot of alternatives to plastic bags and plastic trays. Squinch Sep 2017 #27

Well, let's hear them! And consider your ideas are for a corporation, not a family home. WinkyDink Sep 2017 #30

How about a paper bag and a paper tray, like the ones that are in schools all over the place? Squinch Sep 2017 #45

I bought a micro SD card for my phone. Amazon shipped it in a giant box. Initech Sep 2017 #11

The box my damaged HDMI cable came in from Amazon... Weekend Warrior Sep 2017 #13

There was a study done, I think in the 90s, that found that American consumers Coventina Sep 2017 #14

The American consumer today is very different than the one of the 90s crazycatlady Sep 2017 #41

Good point. I think a new study would produce different results. Coventina Sep 2017 #44

Reject single-use plastic (including to-go coffee lids)! HeartachesNhangovers Sep 2017 #16

Certainly don't purchase bottled water Kaleva Sep 2017 #20

No lid on hot coffee? Glad I drink soda! And Tupperware?! You know that's plastic, right? WinkyDink Sep 2017 #32

I do most of those crazycatlady Sep 2017 #35

The hardest for me, but I have finally done it: no takeout. Squinch Sep 2017 #46

Some help. moondust Sep 2017 #21

They charge 5 cents for each paper bag at the stores in our town. jalan48 Sep 2017 #22

You left your Bounce dryer sheets at HOME?! Fleeing a HURRICANE?! HOW COULD YOU???! WinkyDink Sep 2017 #26

Yes, we use too much plastic in packaging; the oceans and marine life are proof enough. But your WinkyDink Sep 2017 #33

I've been very conscious about this in 2017 crazycatlady Sep 2017 #36

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2017 #38

I have wide plastic ones (from old water bottles) crazycatlady Sep 2017 #39

I don't buy a lot of fast food, but when I do I have an alternative to paper bags. procon Sep 2017 #40

practical advice. nt irisblue Sep 2017 #43

We would not have to worry as much about the amount of packaging if the packagins was logosoco Sep 2017 #42