The War against plastic waste

Nick_C

JackieO wrote: »

I get far more cross about unnecessary plastic packaging on food. So much seems to be a complete waste of time.

Although some plastic packaging seems unnecessary, most of it extends the shelf life of food or protects it from damage. It reduces food waste, makes food cheaper, and prevents us from having to shop three times a week.

Farway

villagelife wrote: »

I use wooden lolly sticks as plant markets and they work well and weren't expensive. .

I tried the wooden labels but found them completely useless because they just rotted after a year. I now use metal scratch on ones for more permanent plant marking and reuse the plastic ones I already have

Spendless

I'm a bit late to this party and I think I've missed a huge debate about plastic straws,:o but this is my reason for turning up. I was wanting recommendations for a good reusable one for DD to put in her stocking this year.

Though I'm a similar age to many O'stylers, I had my kids at a slightly older age and as such I'm at a different lifestage to many on here. DD only left school last week. She's involved in a lot of extra curriculm classes in a subject she wants to study at college and as such we eat on the hoof quite a lot. Example on Wednesday we were out all day attending 2 different interviews for college, we were back home for 30 mins before having to go back out for DD's class. She likes using straws for drinks, and some of the drinks like smoothies are better with one. Some places the paper has a 'strange' feel to it, or collapses mid drink. I don't want to not have straws at all, I'd just like to have our own which will last a good long time

dreaming

Spendless wrote: »

I'm a bit late to this party and I think I've missed a huge debate about plastic straws,:o but this is my reason for turning up. I was wanting recommendations for a good reusable one for DD to put in her stocking this year.

Though I'm a similar age to many O'stylers, I had my kids at a slightly older age and as such I'm at a different lifestage to many on here. DD only left school last week. She's involved in a lot of extra curriculm classes in a subject she wants to study at college and as such we eat on the hoof quite a lot. Example on Wednesday we were out all day attending 2 different interviews for college, we were back home for 30 mins before having to go back out for DD's class. She likes using straws for drinks, and some of the drinks like smoothies are better with one. Some places the paper has a 'strange' feel to it, or collapses mid drink. I don't want to not have straws at all, I'd just like to have our own which will last a good long time

I think most people (including my youngest) use stainless steel straws, which are easily obtainable online. Youngest also has a stanless steel coffee mug for out and about but she has always carried a big bag so it fits in easily. I prefer to use a small bag with just my keys, purse and wallet inside but I don't buy "takeaway" drinks. If I want a cup of tea when I'm out I prefer to sit down somewhere and have a piece of cake too, but I am retired so my time is my own.

maryb

I have started using Faith in Nature shampoo which I like for its own sake but what really swung things was that I can get my bottles refilled at a local health food shop, the same one that does Ecover refills.

I also bought some sugar free cordial in Waitrose recently by a French company called Tesseire. It came in an aluminium bottle with a plastic cap. At first I was appalled by what seemed like wasteful packaging but actually I think it's not at all bad. The contents are very concentrated (which took a bit of getting used to) so it lasts a long time and recycling aluminium is more energy efficient than generating new products

TheBanker

jwil wrote: »

Food waste has a much higher environmental impact than plastic. The rush to get rid of plastic on everything could have unintended consequences which are far more harmful - more food waste, more emissions from transporting heavier and bulkier packaging (glass)

If we all start replacing plastic with paper and cardboard items, can we cope with the demand for wood? Or are we going to increase deforestation?

I think this just proves there is no simple answer. I just went to Tesco to buy some peppers (yes I know I sound like the case study on the TV!). 48p each lose, or a pack of 3 wrapped in plastic for 91p. I only actually wanted two (a red and a green!) but it was cheaper to buy 3. I won't waste the yellow one, I'll find a use for it, but how many people would chuck it in the bin?

So in certain cases the plastic might be preventing food waste by extending shelf life, but it might be creating food waste by encouraging people to buy more than they will use. In this specific case I wonder if the shelf life argument applies at all, given Tesco are quite happy to sell lose peppers.

dreaming

TheBanker wrote: »

I think this just proves there is no simple answer. I just went to Tesco to buy some peppers (yes I know I sound like the case study on the TV!). 48p each lose, or a pack of 3 wrapped in plastic for 91p. I only actually wanted two (a red and a green!) but it was cheaper to buy 3. I won't waste the yellow one, I'll find a use for it, but how many people would chuck it in the bin?

So in certain cases the plastic might be preventing food waste by extending shelf life, but it might be creating food waste by encouraging people to buy more than they will use. In this specific case I wonder if the shelf life argument applies at all, given Tesco are quite happy to sell lose peppers.

I agree with this totally and think it will need a concerted effort to address the problem. The government (if they ever get back to governing the country) need to look at what they can do. The plastic bag "tax" did a great deal to help change retailer's and customer's habits. Supermarkets/retailers need to look at ways to reduce their use of plastic so the choice is easier tfor consumers. I know some have made some improvements such as Morrisons now using paper bags for self-selection items, and recycling areas for plastic wrapping being provided but this only goes so far. However we, as consumers, also need to think about what we can do by putting pressure on those further up the supply chain to look for alternatives, and trying where possible to not buy the plastic-wrapped items. This is difficult I know when we are all looking at ways to save on our grocery bills. I too would have had to think hard about whether to buy the cheaper pack of 3 peppers or the more expensive single items, and as a single-person household on a limited income I struggle with this often as I try to use my food purchases as economically as possible. The advantage I have of course is that I don't have to take other people into consideration when I make my choices.
So no, there are no easy answers but if we all do what we can (even if it is just a little thing) then hopefully things will start to change.

DigForVictory

Just to say I found a pair of brand new in gift box horn combs in a charity shop, so I can migrate from plastic to horn for some of my hair care!

I must ask the local barber if she'd sell shampoo &/or conditioner by the pint or however works best for her.

Nick_C

dreaming wrote: »

I know some have made some improvements such as Morrisons now using paper bags for self-selection items...

Although this is not an improvement as plastic bags, disposed of properly, are more environmentally friendly than paper bags!

[Deleted User]

Just cleaned my sitting room windows and buffed them up with one of the left over terry nappies from my babies .One of whom is now 51 and the youngest is 49. Makes excellent dusters and cleaning cloths and are brilliant for window cleaning I have about 5 left from the 1960s