Money Moral Dilemma: Should I start spending more to go plastic-free?

Wizzbang wrote: »

No, there is no simple answer to the complexities of the system that humans have created, unless people accept that they need to live a simpler, more responsible life.

Whilst some people (very few) may rely on chopped veg in plastic, that cannot be a good enough argument for the many. And sadly it is laziness, on one level of another and greed that causes the problems we have in our society, whether on the personal level or corporate.

Unfortunately you are incorrect, though you're very good at making your information look and sound convincing. A PET plastic bottle can only be recycled 7-9 times and it can only be turned back into more plastic bottles, if virgin plastic is added to the mix. Once it is degraded after 7-9 uses, then it goes to landfill. Plastic is formed of polymer chains and they degrade every time it is recycled or reprocessed. Glass is infinitely recyclable.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-many-times-can-one-plastic-bottle-be-recycled_uk_5bc9b98be4b0d38b58771df3?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABo_MhR9qZJi-wIlayDIXeUbxzm1xaASqnmmg8roLvs34Ln1m8IUX_0wDAZDnOLL1Ja0sMvV2LWGdCoCK9N1pb-YprFiIyCVuMa853-gCdmjaECHovZfHghuBgLzoJpDi5pQMUYFlZoYrZ3_ceT3F0YvEHN9uwqda0Hw6QOSqwI_

I wasn't disputing the fact that plastic is not infinitely recyclable, I said I agreed with you. Paper and cardboard are the same, they can only be recycled a few times as the quality is reduced each time. I disputed the fact that plastic cannot be made into anything other than clothing. It can and is made into food grade packaging, albeit mixed with virgin material.

I agree with you about downgrading not being ideal. There is a big move towards companies offering collection facilities for non recyclable stuff like crisp packets, baby food pouches, etc etc through Terracycle. People have to get them to the collection points themselves. Terracycle then 'recycle' these items into things like plastic benches. The benches at the end of their lives are not recyclable. Is that truly sustainable? Do people drive to collection points with half a dozen crisp packets? The packets then have to be transported to the central collection point and then the reprocessor. That can't add up environmentally. Companies should be developing truly sustainable packaging, not using this as an example to put it off. The stuff in the government's strategy might help this in the future.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resources-and-waste-strategy-for-england

Glass is infinitely recyclable, but that doesn't automatically make it a better choice. It comes with a carbon cost associated with increased transport emissions. Which is the lesser of two evils? This article by FoE seems to be reasonably balanced and they come out in favour of glass https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/plastic-or-glass-milk-bottles-crate-expectations

I'm not trying to make my information sound convincing, I do my research and look at things from both sides. It's my job to do so. I try and post things evidence of what I'm saying, rather than just posting randomly without backing it up. My opinions are my opinions and there will be stuff out there that agrees with me, there will be stuff that doesn't. People should do their own research looking at arguments from both sides. Perhaps a link I post helps them look into it more and gives a starting point.

I fully agree we need to live a simpler life with less consumption and less waste. It's not always easy and even small steps will help. It's just important to be aware of unintended consequences and make an informed choice.

Yes. What's the point of having money if there's no planet to live on?