#single use plastics

[smoov-criminal]

it always annoys me when people disparage the use of single use plastics and blame the user for all the plastic in the ocean and shit. disabled people are not, in fact, responsible for climate change; many people rely on single use plastic to live safely and comfortably, and they are not the ones polluting our oceans. remember a few years ago when some grocery store was ragged on for selling peeled oranges in plastic containers? no one ever stopped to consider the people who can't peel fruit themselves for whatever reason. people were legit sending death threats over this shit, and its got to stop. if someone needs to use a plastic straw in their drink, mind ur fucking business.

in the same vein, not everyone has the ability to go vegan, whether thats because of a disability or not, so quit berating people who choose to eat meat, again mind ur fucking business

#disability #disabled #cpunk #cripple punk #ableism #climate change #pollution #single use plastics

[you-need-not-apply]

bad straws

pros and cons about straws

Plastic straws:

CONS: can never be properly recycled, last for centuries, never fully degrade, single-use, pollution, harmful to wildlife, plastic poisoning / micro plastic have a direct route to body

PROS: single use so slightly more hygienic, good for some disabled people who have issues with motor skills

Paper straws:

CONS: cant be recycled, sometimes contain plastics, emit greenhouse gas when they break down, can be bitten through by those with issues with motor skills, can go soggy fast

PROS: biodegradable, renewable, safe, hygienic and durable

Metal straws:

CONS: can conduct heat and become very hot if used with hot beverages, stiff, hygiene issues,

PROS: highly durable, can be cleaned 100% via boiling (cleaner then plastic!!) non toxic, long lasting, reusable, recyclable if broken

Silicon straws:

CONS: sometimes have a plastic taste similar to single use plastic, food can stick to them, sometimes aren't bendable,

PROS: non toxic, very easy to clean, long lasting, non plastic, reusable, safe, come in all sizes and shapes

wood/bamboo straws:

CONS: can spoil and rot, not as safe, deforestation especially if not bamboo, least hygienic, stiff, greenhouse gas when it breaks down

PROS: reusable, can break down, if bamboo it will be naturally antibacterial, so they're hygienic.

#tumblr #enviromental #environmentalism #straws #single use #single use plastic #single use plastics #enviroment #pollution #plastic straws #some how this is controversial

[mindblowingscience]

The US government on Thursday announced plans to phase out single-use plastics on public lands, including the country's famous national parks, by 2032. "Plastic waste is a priority environmental problem," said a statement from the Interior Department, the agency that oversees federally managed lands. Much of the single-use plastic waste generated in federally run national parks, wildlife refuges and conservation lands comes from water bottles, bags or utensils, all of which are being targeted in the phaseout.

Continue Reading.

#uspoli #us politics #Single use plastics #plastic pollution #stem

[wachinyeya]

#colorado #good news #environmentalism #environment #plastic #plastic pollution #plastic bags #single use plastics #pollution #usa

[allthecanadianpolitics]

The B.C. government says several single-use plastic items will be phased out by December as part of new rules aimed at tackling plastic pollution.

On Friday, provincial Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy George Heyman announced details of the new rules, which have been in the works since an intentions paper on the issue was published last April.

Starting in December, single-use items such as plastic shopping bags, disposable food service accessories, oxo-degradable plastics and food service packaging made of polystyrene foam, PVC, PVDC, compostable or biodegradable plastics will no longer be allowed to be sold in B.C.

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

#cdnpoli #canadian politics #canadian news #canada #canadian #BC #british columbia #single use plastic #single use plastics

[kp777]

This large California city is poised to ban single-use plastics

#plastic pollution #single use plastics #california

[wewantclimateactionnow]

#jail climate criminals #climate change #climate crisis #we want climate action now #klimawandel #changement climatique #klimakatastrophe #jailclimatecriminals #cambio climático #qihou bianhua #single use plastics #plastics industry #plastic pollution

[tomorrowusa]

That plastic you think you're recycling is probably not being turned into something new.

Recycling plastic is practically impossible — and the problem is getting worse

The vast majority of plastic that people use, and in many cases put into blue recycling bins, is headed to landfills, or worse, according to a report from Greenpeace on the state of plastic recycling in the U.S. The report cites separate data published this May which revealed that the amount of plastic actually turned into new things has fallen to new lows of around 5%. That number is expected to drop further as more plastic is produced. Greenpeace found that no plastic — not even soda bottles, one of the most prolific items thrown into recycling bins — meets the threshold to be called "recyclable" according to standards set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative. Plastic must have a recycling rate of 30% to reach that standard; no plastic has ever been recycled and reused close to that rate. [ ... ]

The vast majority of plastic that people use, and in many cases put into blue recycling bins, is headed to landfills, or worse, according to a report from Greenpeace on the state of plastic recycling in the U.S. The report cites separate data published this May which revealed that the amount of plastic actually turned into new things has fallen to new lows of around 5%. That number is expected to drop further as more plastic is produced. Greenpeace found that no plastic — not even soda bottles, one of the most prolific items thrown into recycling bins — meets the threshold to be called "recyclable" according to standards set by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Plastic Economy Initiative. Plastic must have a recycling rate of 30% to reach that standard; no plastic has ever been recycled and reused close to that rate.

Ouch.

It has turned into an international issue. Plastics which can't be recycled had been shipped off to other countries. But the days are numbered for that.

Indonesia Cracks Down on the Scourge of Imported Plastic Waste

We should start working now to ban most plastics for everything except food preservation, medical use, and defense by 2050. That's plenty of time to find substitutes.

#plastics #single use plastics #recycling #indonesia #greenpeace #peter kuper

[papyrusandpaints]

Sad indeed!

#environment #nature #single use plastics

[birdsintheory]

It should be illegal for companies to put “please recycle uwu” on their packaging that is Not Recyclable, only recyclable at certain facilities in certain cities that you have to pay them to recycle, or packaging that gets contaminated from food/grease/paint/etc and thus cannot be recycled

#recycling #I’m sick of seeing it bc anything that ends up in the recycling batch that is contaminated or not recyclable #if there’s over a certain percentage of contaminants they throw away the Whole Batch of materials #environmental #reduce reuse recycle #and ofc those companies aren’t reducing the amount of packaging they use and aren’t encouraging you to not overconsume etc #green washing #greenwashing #recycle #environmentally friendly #single use plastics #packaging

[motherearthday]

Press conference at the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4).

INC-4 is taking place from 23-29 April 2024 at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa, Canada.

Watch the INC-4 on plastic pollution: Press Conference

#marine pollution #international instrument #pollution #plastic pollution #marine environement #marine debris #single use plastics #soft plastics #press conference #un environment

[newecolifestyle]

Disposable Plastic: How Long Does It Take To Decompose? #plastic #plasti...

#youtube #plastic #plastic waste #single use plastics #disposable plastics #household waste #sustainability #recycling #environment

[you-need-not-apply]

"but i need straws for my disability!" I know, that sucks, use a reusable one.

"I can't use the metal ones tho!" silicon, rubber, wood,

"I need a soft straw!" silicon

"they're too hard to clean!" get over yourself, animals are dying because you're lazy. there are straw cleaners that are so easy to use

#tumblr #enviromental #environmentalism #straws #single use #single use plastic #single use plastics #enviroment #pollution #plastic straws #some how this is controversial

[mindblowingscience]

University of British Columbia researcher Dr. Feng Jiang has developed a cellulose film that looks like plastic and behaves like plastic—but is biodegradable.

Dr. Jiang's process breaks down wood fibers (sourced from forest waste) in a solution of cold sodium hydroxide combined with mild mechanical blending. The sodium hydroxide is then recycled. The result is a translucent, strong and water-resistant film.

Other researchers have also developed cellulosic films, but the UBC project is the first to use small amounts of energy and chemicals in the manufacture.

Like conventional plastic, the film can be made into coffee bags or chip bags, pouches (like pouches for cereal or frozen fruit), or protective wrap like bubble wrap or envelopes.

Continue Reading.

#Chemistry #biodegradable #Plastic Pollution #Biology #stem #Wood #Plants #Single Use Plastics

[wachinyeya]

#good news #science #plastic pollution #plastic #plastic recycling #single use plastics #plastics #tbh we need less plastic in general #rethink refuse reduce reuse THEN recycle #but progress is progress

[earaercircular]

The European Council agrees on a common position on the new regulation that will affect all packaging in the EU

The regulations will prohibit certain types of packaging, force the use of materials to be minimized and promote reuse.

The new Packaging and Waste Regulation that will determine the scales that the packaging of all activities must comply with and that will affect companies, industries and homes has taken another step towards its final form this Monday[1]. After studying the Commission's proposal, the European Council, through a meeting of EU Environment Ministers, has agreed on a common position that must be debated in the European Parliament, where it will undergo final negotiation. The standard will prohibit certain types of single-use packaging, requires reducing the materials used and empty space, and sets mandatory recycling quotas for all types of packaging material.[2]

The agreed approach covers “the entire life cycle of packaging” and sets out requirements to ensure that “it is safe and sustainable,and it requires that all packaging is recyclable and that the presence of substances of concern is minimised,” the EU Council reported in a statement. The position defended by the Member States covers the management of packaging once it is waste, so that it is collected, sorted and recycled following “the highest standards”, with provisions that guarantee that countries have “sufficient flexibility to maintain existing systems that work well.”

“In 2021, each European generated 190 kilos of packaging waste. And this figure will grow by almost 20% in 2030 if things remain the same (...). This regulation is crucial on our path towards a circular economy and a climate-neutral Europe,” declared the Spanish head of Ecological Transition[3], Teresa Ribera, in a statement, representing the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU.

In a section in which the Council explains how this regulation will affect citizens, its main effects are summarized[4]. The law includes objectives for reducing discarded packaging. Specifically, with respect to 2018 numbers, it is expected to reduce waste by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040. The objectives will be applied per capita for each State.

“Certain types of single-use packaging would be prohibited[5], such as items for direct consumption in restaurants and cafeterias, condiment sachets, (certain types of) disposable cups and plates, miniature single-use containers for toiletries hotels and single-use plastic containers for fresh fruits and vegetables,” details the Council.

Manufacturers would also need to minimize the amount of material needed for packaging, for example by avoiding double walls and false bottoms, as well as disproportionately large containers for transporting small items. For their part, consumers will be able to reuse, refill and return the containers.[6] “The proposal sets targets for various sectors and packaging formats to increase the possibility of reuse and refilling, whereby end consumers refill their own packaging, including for takeaway food items,” explains the Council.

Regarding recycling objectives, the proposal establishes that by 2025, 65% of all packaging should end up being recycled in general. The threshold amounts to 75% for paper and cardboard, 70% for glass, 50% for plastic and 25% for wood. By 2030, the goal is to recycle 70% of all packaging, 85% of paper and cardboard, 75% of glass, 55% of plastic and 30% of wood.

Many interests at stake

The objective is that the Member States and the European Parliament can agree before the elections to the European Parliament next June on the final modernisation of a file full of technical aspects that has aroused great interest from pressure groups (lobbies), since it affects to many sectors and companies, from fast food to the plastic, paper, wood or recycling sectors, and which was of particular concern to Italy and Finland.

The European Commission, whose original proposal[7] was more ambitious than the positions defended by the EU Council and Parliament, urged finding a “balance” to close a “complicated file,” said Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius.

As the Commission explained in its proposal document, the consultation on the initial impact assessment generated 110 responses, and an open public consultation generated 425 responses. “Six stakeholder webinars were held in June 2021 to present and gather feedback on the interim results of the study. More than 950 people (from 250 organisations) participated in these online seminars and around 100 organizations presented documents with detailed responses and presentations,” they detail.

The Council maintains that the proposal covers all packaging, regardless of the material used, and all packaging waste, regardless of its origin (industry, manufacturing, retail or households). The text of the capitals' “general guidance” maintains “most of the sustainability requirements for all packaging placed on the market and the main objectives proposed by the Commission” and strengthens those for substances of “concern”.

The countries ask the Commission to prepare a report “before 2026” to determine if there are substances of concern in packaging that could “negatively affect the reuse or recycling of materials” or have “an impact on chemical safety.”[8]

Member States also agreed that packaging will be considered recyclable “when it is designed for the recycling of materials and when packaging waste can be collected, sorted and recycled on a large scale”, a condition that will apply from 2035.

Among the many sections of the standard, the Council defends, for example, that “tea bags and adhesive labels on fruits and vegetables must be compostable, introducing the option for Member States to require that other packaging” also be compostable, such as coffee capsules or light plastic bags.

Re-use

Countries adopted the Commission's approach to defining “reusable packaging, introducing a minimum number of uses or rotations in its use, with a lower minimum number of rotations for cardboard due to the different characteristics of this material.”

Targets are also proposed for 2030 and 2040, with different speeds for large household appliances, takeaway packaging for food and beverages[9], alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding wine), transport packaging (excluding packaging used for dangerous goods or large-scale equipment). and flexible packaging in direct contact with food) and grouped packaging. Cardboard is exempt from these requirements, depending on the position of the countries.

The countries' approach also advocates that by 2029 the separate collection of “at least 90% per year of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers” will be guaranteed, for which deposit return systems will be established[10]. The Twenty-seven also want to tighten the rules on packaging labelling.

Source

Fernando Belinchón, El Consejo Europeo pacta una posición común sobre la nueva regulación que afectará a todos los envases de la UE, in: El País, 18-12-2023, https://cincodias.elpais.com/economia/2023-12-18/el-consejo-europeo-pacta-una-posicion-comun-sobre-la-nueva-regulacion-que-afectara-a-todos-los-envases-de-la-ue.html

[1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/18/packaging-and-packaging-waste-council-adopts-its-negotiating-position-on-new-rules-for-more-sustainable-packaging-in-the-eu/

[2] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/735974199093559296/unsold-clothing-may-no-longer-be-destroyed-in?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/734267111128612864/export-of-waste-restricted-eu-can-clean-up-its?source=share

[3] Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico  https://www.miteco.gob.es/en.html

[4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/packaging/#consumers

[5] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/702883268243128320/europe-introduces-stricter-rules-for-packaging?source=share & https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/665281005986414592/no-more-cucumber-in-plastic-france-bans-plastic?source=share

[6] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/697379617546321920/environmentalists-demand-reusable-refillable?source=share

[7] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:de4f236d-7164-11ed-9887-01aa75ed71a1.0008.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

[8] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/733593498002030592/with-an-import-of-28-billion-garments-per-year?source=share

[9] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/733054984877441024/danish-restaurants-call-for-ambitions-for?source=share

[10] Read also: https://www.tumblr.com/earaercircular/734537294852259840/bocoloco-brings-the-deposit-up-to-date?source=share

#packaging #single use plastics