I’ve seen people turn down plastic straws in restaurants. It’s a nice gesture, but plastic straws account for 0.025% of plastic waste, so it is no more than a gesture if we don’t address the other 99.975% of the problem.
Evolved plastic trash that will supposedly evolve into plastic people. Pretty sure there are already plastic people or humanoids depending on your view. :)
The largest bottle/can recycler in southern California (RePlanet) went out of business this month. 284 recycling kiosks, 750 employees.If “good” recyclable material like pre-sorted aluminum and PET plastic can’t be recycled profitably then what hope is there for “garbage grade” materials?
With the problem of micro plastics, in fish bodies, not just gullets, toon could be in our future? Need to remember it’s actually the oil companies that have given us so much plastic in our lives. Non-petroleum based plastics, like hemp, etc, are also being fought by the oil companies. Interesting that petroleum IS a plant product, not dinosaurs.
Absolutely nothing is 100% recyclable. Entropy increases. But that is not the problem with plastic straws. The problem also is not the design of the machines or even the current state of recycling technology. The problem with plastic straws is that most of them never make it into the recycling bin in the first place. At best many of them wind up in landfills where, to be honest, they cause very little problem.
The problem with banning plastic straws is that it deflects attention from the greater issues and gives the illusion of positive action where none exists.
Zykoic about 5 years ago
Easy-peasy, genetically modify a bacterium to eat hydrocarbons. What could go wrong?
JoanHelen about 5 years ago
This is a very sobering thought. As Zykoic stated above, what could go wrong? :(
WoodstockJack about 5 years ago
http://xirdalium.net/wp-content/uploads/crumbling_oxygen_mask.png
smgray about 5 years ago
A real bottle baby.
clacou about 5 years ago
And when the plastic bottle has conquered the Earth, their garbage will be organic.
jpayne4040 about 5 years ago
That’s funny—-and it’s not funny!
DanFlak about 5 years ago
Nice commentary.
I’ve seen people turn down plastic straws in restaurants. It’s a nice gesture, but plastic straws account for 0.025% of plastic waste, so it is no more than a gesture if we don’t address the other 99.975% of the problem.
The Reader Premium Member about 5 years ago
Message in a bottle.
PO' DAWG about 5 years ago
Hope blooms eternally, that plastic bottle sealed is a floating petri dish.
ratickle about 5 years ago
Always question the narrative.
Phrosty 12Oaks about 5 years ago
Evolved plastic trash that will supposedly evolve into plastic people. Pretty sure there are already plastic people or humanoids depending on your view. :)
Zen-of-Zinfandel about 5 years ago
The Govt. will take plastic measures to help prevent that.
Plods with ...™ about 5 years ago
Starbucks is using paper straws.
Wrapped in plastic
Zebrastripes about 5 years ago
Until laws are passed, everything will continue…until impeachment proceedings begin, everything will continue….
Zebrastripes about 5 years ago
The GOP is a useless body of sh!t who does NOTHING about anything….UNLESS it’s for their benefit! Get rid of the greedy deceitful senile Mitch!
Dis-play name about 5 years ago
The largest bottle/can recycler in southern California (RePlanet) went out of business this month. 284 recycling kiosks, 750 employees.If “good” recyclable material like pre-sorted aluminum and PET plastic can’t be recycled profitably then what hope is there for “garbage grade” materials?
https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2019/08/06/replanet-californias-largest-recycling-business-closes/1932698001/
the lost wizard about 5 years ago
What goes around comes around.
Wasiechu about 5 years ago
Plastic straws are 100% recyclable. However the recycling machines allow the straws to fall out. Redesign the machines or ban plastic straws?
Dtroutma about 5 years ago
With the problem of micro plastics, in fish bodies, not just gullets, toon could be in our future? Need to remember it’s actually the oil companies that have given us so much plastic in our lives. Non-petroleum based plastics, like hemp, etc, are also being fought by the oil companies. Interesting that petroleum IS a plant product, not dinosaurs.
tmi520 about 5 years ago
Why does everyone need to bring up Trump?Every time his name is used its free advertising for him
gladimadad about 5 years ago
Absolutely nothing is 100% recyclable. Entropy increases. But that is not the problem with plastic straws. The problem also is not the design of the machines or even the current state of recycling technology. The problem with plastic straws is that most of them never make it into the recycling bin in the first place. At best many of them wind up in landfills where, to be honest, they cause very little problem.
The problem with banning plastic straws is that it deflects attention from the greater issues and gives the illusion of positive action where none exists.
Andrew Sleeth about 5 years ago
If Sam Wainwright had only known the trouble he’d cause.
jackiegill Premium Member about 5 years ago
God forbid…..
tinstar about 5 years ago
Bottled water?
Concretionist about 5 years ago
I’ve read some science fiction that’s off in this direction. Some of it was good, but most wasn’t so good.