The War against plastic waste

THIRZAH

I bought one of the round tea infusers and the leaves came out of the join in the middle. We've gone back to using a tea pot and strainer.


We were invited to an outdoor event recently. At the opening ceremony they released a large bundle of balloons which got stuck in a tree-I hope they are still there not lying in a field somewhere. I took my reusable coffee cup and asked the woman on the tea stall if she could put my tea in it rather than use her cups as I was trying to reduce my use of single use plastics-she snapped "they're not plastic cups they're disposable polystyrene"

[Deleted User]

I too agree we own far too much unnecessary 'stuff' be it food ,clothes ,toys books .I am in the process of decluttering my freezer and cupboards of surplus stuff and by doing so have cut my food bill considerably. Its a long haul but the freedom from shopping is great and my next big prject is to declutter some of my books as I do have far too many of them.Last Sunday I waged war on paperwork and filled a larg black bag ready to go to be shredded I have freed up about 6 drawers in my filing cabinet :)Onwards and upwards

JackieO

MoneySeeker1

THIRZAH wrote: »

I bought one of the round tea infusers and the leaves came out of the join in the middle. We've gone back to using a tea pot and strainer.


We were invited to an outdoor event recently. At the opening ceremony they released a large bundle of balloons which got stuck in a tree-I hope they are still there not lying in a field somewhere. I took my reusable coffee cup and asked the woman on the tea stall if she could put my tea in it rather than use her cups as I was trying to reduce my use of single use plastics-she snapped "they're not plastic cups they're disposable polystyrene"

I am now very curious as to what response you found to that one and how polite (or otherwise) it was? I confess my reply to that would possibly not have been a polite one and I'd have probably asked her to explain the technical difference between "plastic called plastic" and "plastic called disposable polystyrene".

DigForVictory

My team like a brew at meetings. Us old lags got to the stage where I had a crate with cups, tea, coffee sugar even a teaspoon sorted. We were merged with another team, and it was expected I continue to provide for these higher paid strangers. I did but used official work disposable cups, plastic tublets of milk, sachets of coffee & so forth.

My canny old colleagues now bring their travel cups with them to meetings, and drop by my desk for a brew & a natter before we go into the meeting. I'm hoping to make a reasonable case for not bothering sorting the single use plastic nonsenses etc as noone's using them, in the next 3 months. (Guests are of course cosseted with a "guest mug" & all the treats my locker can provide, but they're Guests.)

THIRZAH

MoneySeeker1 wrote: »

I am now very curious as to what response you found to that one and how polite (or otherwise) it was? I confess my reply to that would possibly not have been a polite one and I'd have probably asked her to explain the technical difference between "plastic called plastic" and "plastic called disposable polystyrene".

I didn't say anything.I was taken aback at her response and we were there as guests of a friend and I didn't want to embarrass him but I won't be going to that particular event again. DH had a beer which came in an ordinary plastic mug which I brought home and put in our recycling .

Farway

THIRZAH wrote: »

I didn't say anything.I was taken aback at her response and we were there as guests of a friend and I didn't want to embarrass him but I won't be going to that particular event again. .

good call as a guest, time & place for everything

jwil

THIRZAH wrote: »

I didn't say anything.I was taken aback at her response and we were there as guests of a friend and I didn't want to embarrass him but I won't be going to that particular event again. DH had a beer which came in an ordinary plastic mug which I brought home and put in our recycling .

Wow! A polystyrene cup is even worse than a plastic one as some areas will recycle the plastic one - the polystyrene one just isn't recyclable.

The EU plan to ban food packaging made from expanded polystyrene - it's highly likely that we will follow suit even post-Brexit.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-19-1873_en.htm

DigForVictory

cbsexec wrote: »

I think my main contribution to this is to actually buy less "stuff".

This is also going to help.
Remember "Repair Reuse Recycle Refuse"
That latter is one of the toughest gigs. Tabbing around Birmingham centre I was stunned to realise Every Shop had piles of plastic & some sold almost nothing other than plastic.
It was a money saving realization!

VJsmum

Hello all. I've just come back from Glastonbury where there was a ban on selling any single use plastic (though they did not stop anyone from taking it in). THe difference in waste was incredible (many of the pictures in the papers were from previous years). Water was sold in cans, but most people refilled bottles. It's the first year I've ever known queues at water points to be longer than queues for toilets, though the weather played it's part.


All food was sold on compostable plates or bowls with wooden cutlery and the pop up co op sold sandwiches in compostable packaging that they are rolling out to all their stores.


It shows what can be done. I know there's a way to go, and that still there are people who go who couldn't give a toss about the eco friendly aspect of the festival but the message is getting home, with far fewer (though still too many) tents and other things (mattresses, sleeping bags etc) left behind.

tori.k

https://rapanuiclothing.com/ has now started producing circular economy clothing, they have always ask for clothing to be returned for a money off voucher as its compostable but are now remanufacturing into new items.
They are really affordable plain basic clothing and no plastic in the packaging just thick brown paper, real leaders in there industry.